Mercer International has announced that it will extend the planned maintenance shutdown at its Mercer Rosenthal pulp mill in Germany, with the outage now scheduled to continue throughout September 2026.

The shutdown was originally planned to last approximately two weeks. The extended maintenance period reflects a revised operational schedule as the company coordinates activities across production, raw material procurement, logistics and customer supply.

Maintenance Schedule Extended

Mercer said it is working closely with its production, wood procurement, logistics and pulp sales teams to manage the extended shutdown and coordinate supply with customers and other stakeholders.

The company did not disclose additional details regarding the reasons for extending the maintenance outage.

Planned maintenance shutdowns are a routine part of pulp mill operations, allowing manufacturers to carry out equipment inspections, repairs, modernization work and process optimization while maintaining long-term operational reliability.

Rosenthal Mill Plays Key Role in European Kraft Pulp Supply

Located in Germany, Mercer Rosenthal produces approximately 360,000 tonnes of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp annually, supplying paper and tissue manufacturers across Europe as well as international markets.

In addition to market pulp, the integrated site produces several wood-based bioproducts, including tall oil and lignin, supporting the company’s broader strategy of maximizing value from forest resources.

The mill employs approximately 400 people.

Integrated Biomass Energy Supports Mill Operations

The Rosenthal site also operates Thuringia’s largest biomass power plant, with a thermal capacity of 413 MW and electrical generation capacity of 57 MW.

According to Mercer, the biomass facility enables the mill to operate as an energy self-sufficient production site while exporting surplus renewable electricity to the public power grid.

Integrated energy generation continues to play an increasingly important role for pulp manufacturers seeking to improve operational efficiency, reduce fossil fuel dependence and strengthen long-term sustainability performance.

Scheduled Maintenance Remains Essential for Mill Performance

Across the global pulp industry, scheduled maintenance outages are used to maintain equipment reliability, improve production efficiency and support safe mill operations.

While maintenance shutdowns can temporarily reduce market pulp availability, they are generally planned well in advance to minimize supply chain disruption and provide customers with sufficient notice for inventory planning.

Major producers frequently coordinate maintenance schedules with customers, logistics providers and fibre suppliers to reduce operational impacts.

Mercer Continues Global Forest Products Operations

Mercer International operates forest products businesses in Germany, Canada and the United States, with an annual production capacity of approximately 2.1 million tonnes of pulp.

The company also manufactures lumber, cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam, pallets and biofuels, reflecting its diversified portfolio across forest-based products and renewable materials.

The extended maintenance at Mercer Rosenthal highlights the continued importance of preventive maintenance and asset reliability as pulp producers seek to maintain efficient operations while supporting long-term supply stability for paper and tissue manufacturers.

Last Updated on 03/07/2026 by Jota Machinery