From sugar refinery to a leading paper mill

But how did it all start? After the Second World War, packaging paper reserves were all but depleted. The need for a new paper mill led project planners to a small town on the right bank of the Elbe river, Štetí, where a sugar refinery had recently ceased operation. A paper mill was founded in its place in 1949 under the trade name “Národní podnik Severoceské papírny” (National North Bohemian paper mill). Three years later manufacturing commenced and the very first reel of paper emerged from the production line. In the coming decades, the site developed into largest paper mill in what was then Czechoslovakia.

Growing under the Mondi brand

After the Velvet Revolution of 1989 and further democratisation of the country, the vast majority of companies were privatised. After several periods of short private ownership, the mill finally landed in the hands of Mondi Group in 2000. Ever since Mondi has continued the paper manufacturing tradition, investing in the mill and its people, and sharing expertise from its global network to take the mill from strength to strength. Mondi has become a respected patron of the region, providing attractive permanent jobs for around 850 people and contributing to the local economy.

Since joining the Mondi Group, the mill has undergone significant investments and improvements, increasing production by 50%, enhancing the product mix, and reducing its environmental footprint including now being 100% electricity self-sufficient.

“I’m very proud of Mondi Štetí’s ongoing success story. The commitment the team shows to being a benchmark in the industry is helping us to contribute to a better world and become an employer of choice in the Czech Republic. Following on from our recently completed € 335 million modernisation project, I am excited about our € 67 million investment project to convert a containerboard machine at Štetí into a fully dedicated speciality kraft paper machine for paper shopping bags to help us meet the growing demand in this area,” states Peter Oswald, Mondi Group CEO.