Sappi Fine Paper Completes $49M Capital Projects at Somerset Mill, Boosting Efficiency and Sustainability

Sappi Fine Paper North America announced on December 16 that it has successfully finished a $49 million capital investment at its Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine. The program comprised a flagship upgrade to the mill’s recovery cycle equipment and 17 additional projects that enhanced manufacturing processes—all delivered on schedule and without disrupting paper production.

The upgrades target the mill’s recovery boiler and evaporator system, enabling higher throughput of black liquor—a renewable, carbon‑neutral fuel produced during pulping. The result is increased pulp output, improved energy efficiency, and a measurable reduction in the mill’s carbon footprint. This investment keeps the Somerset Mill competitive, reliable, and environmentally responsible on the global stage.

The project underscores Sappi’s commitment to the sustainability of the Somerset Mill and the more than 800 jobs it sustains in the local community.

The Somerset Mill produces coated fine paper, including Opus, Somerset web, Flo web, and sheets, used in premium magazines and high‑end print communications, as well as Lusterprint for packaging.

About Sappi Fine Paper North America
Sappi Fine Paper North America is a leading North American producer of coated fine paper for premium magazines, catalogues, books and high‑end print advertising. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company is renowned for innovation and quality. Its brands—McCoy, Opus, Somerset and Flo—are among the industry’s most recognized and specified. Sappi’s North American mills hold triple chain‑of‑custody certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Over 80 % of the energy used by Sappi’s North American mills comes from renewable sources, giving it one of the lowest carbon footprints among major coated paper suppliers. Sappi Fine Paper North America is a division of Sappi Limited (NYSE and JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with manufacturing operations on four continents, sales offices in more than 40 countries, and customers in over 100 countries worldwide.