The machine had previously been used to produce lightweight coated paper grades, but can now also be used for the woodfree coated production as of 12 June.

The rebuild, which took just over two months, is part of Sappi’s mid-term strategy, according to a spokesperson for the company, who said: “This rebuild improves our flexibility to cover changing market demands, keeping us agile to the needs of our customers.”

The company added the rebuild included an upgrade of the existing press section and the coaters, plus a new online calendar.

The new total capacity of PM8 is up to 350,000 tonnes a year, depending on the average basis weight produced.

The Lanaken mill has one other paper machine, PM7, and employs 540 staff. Situated on the Albert Canal in north-eastern Belgium, the mill annually produces 530,000 tonnes of coated fine paper and 165,000 tonnes of bleached chemi-thermo mechanical pulp for own consumption.

Last month, Stora Enso announced it will exit the coated woodfree paper market in September 2020 after confirming plans to convert its Oulo Mill in Finland into packaging board production.