On 28 June, the President of France Mr. Emmanuel Macron will meet with Norske Skog’s CEO Sven Ombudstvedt and Managing Director at Norske Skog Golbey, Yves Bailly. The meeting will take place in the world-famous Versailles Palace outside Paris during the 4th Choose France Business Summit. The meeting follows the Norske Skog’s board of directors decision to invest EUR 250 million in converting one newsprint machine at the Golbey mill in France into 550 000 tonnes of packaging products based on recyclable materials.
– We look forward to meet the President and the representatives of the French Ministry. Our investment decision has evolved through a long internal process in evaluating the market conditions and the political ramifications. The support from French authorities has been important in finalising the investment decision. A very special thanks to Business France for their valuable and cooperative dialogue over the past years. We will do our utmost to deliver high-quality renewable packaging products from a forward-looking and environmentally friendly production process. We also look forward to further enhance our cooperation with French authorities in the years ahead, says Norske Skog’s CEO Sven Ombudstvedt.
The EUR 250 million investment decision is a major step for Norske Skog in establishing itself as a leading independent recycled containerboard supplier in Europe. The conversion at Golbey will add a further 550 000 tonnes of cost-competitive and low-emission containerboard capacity, bringing Norske Skog’s total capacity to 760 000 tonnes. The containerboard production will be 100% based on recycled fibre and will use green energy generated from a new biomass plant being constructed at the Golbey production site by Green Valley Energie. The joint investments in the Golbey industrial site aim to both secure the current 350 jobs and create 20 new jobs, in addition to positive, regional effects for suppliers and contractors. The investment at Golbey will be financed with external debt, necessary public grants, cash on balance and cash flows from operations.
Full production of 550 000 tonnes of lightweight testliner and fluting is expected in the second half of 2026, allowing for a normal start-up curve. In parallel, Green Valley Energie (GVE), a joint venture of Pearl Infrastructure Capital, Veolia Industries Global Solutions and Norske Skog Golbey, will construct a green energy biomass facility on the Golbey industrial site. This facility will provide cost-efficient and sustainable steam to be used for both containerboard and newsprint production.
– This investment decision marks an important step in the development of Norske Skog Golbey, as we look to enhance long-term value for all our stakeholders locally and regionally. Golbey is well positioned for entry into the large and growing recycled containerboard market, being located centrally in continental Europe and having good and established access to recycled fibre. We will continue to develop our industrial site, with forward-looking products, sustainable energy and production, and a strong pool of competent employees. Norske Skog Golbey will aim to be a source of pride for French authorities, says Norske Skog Golbey’s Managing Director Yves Bailly.
RELATED NEWS
