Severe Floods in Central Europe Leave P&B Sector Relatively Unscathed

Fastmarkets RISI reports that paper and board (P&B) mills managed to escape last month’s devastating flooding in parts of central Europe relatively unscathed. While some mills had to temporarily stop production, there were no reports of severe material damage.

As heavy rainfall enlarged rivers and created torrents in what were previously tunnels, pedestrian walkways and roads, hundreds of houses were destroyed and, according to current estimates, more than 200 people lost their lives. Belgium, the Netherlands and western Germany were particularly affected by the disaster.

Metsä Tissue, which operates three mills in the regions impacted by the heavy flooding, said that it had to momentarily stop production at its Kreuzau and Düren mills due to the situation, but that operations had been partially recovered. “We have been able to safeguard the situation in our mills so that no members of our personnel have been impacted, and material damages are minor,” the company said in a statement. “However, the crisis in the region is impacting our employees and their families and we are offering our help to the local communities to support the region and the people in the recovery,” it added.

Regarding deliveries to customers, Metsä Tissue said that it is trying to keep its commitments. However, some delays are anticipated due to damage impacting IT systems and infrastructure.

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