In the first few months of the year, Portuguese papermaker The Navigator Company recorded a high level of orders for uncoated woodfree paper (UWF), with even in mid-March the second highest order book ever recorded.
"However, starting in the last weeks of March, a large number of countries where the group operates went into lockdown, with the closure of commercial activities, schools, universities and offices, which directly impacted the business of our customers and led to a significant drop in global paper consumption" is part of the group.
Starting today, the papermaker is therefore reducing its production for a period of 30 days. At present, the machine shutdown means a reduction in production of 700 tonnes per day, with the possibility of a reduction of almost 2,000 tonnes per day (compared to a capacity of around 4,400 tonnes/day). The shutdown will have no impact on employees' income, the press release states.
"Although UWF has in the past demonstrated greater resilience compared to other types of printing and writing papers, we are currently operating in exceptional circumstances. These measures, which are also exceptional, are deemed necessary to enable the group to optimise its operations, remain agile and react quickly to important market developments on a daily basis"
The Navigator Company has a capacity of 1.6 million tonnes/year of uncoated woodfree paper, making it Europe's largest producer of UWF. It also produces 1.5 million tonnes/year of eucalyptus pulp (80% of which is integrated into paper). With its four mills - three in Portugal and one in South Africa - it has a turnover of 1.6 billion euros.
