Thirty jobs at risk at Stoneywood paper mill

THIRTY jobs are under threat at the Stoneywood paper mill in Aberdeen as a result of Arjo Wiggins plans to sell off its casting papers business to Italian group Favini, it was revealed today.
Arjo Wiggins is planning to sell off its casting papers business. File photo: ComplimentaryArjo Wiggins is planning to sell off its casting papers business. File photo: Complimentary
Arjo Wiggins is planning to sell off its casting papers business. File photo: Complimentary

Arjo Wiggins announced last week that it had entered into an agreement for the transfer of the casting papers business to Favini.

The joint statement said that, as part of the deal, Favini would also acquire the equipment involved in the finishing of casting papers currently run in the Arjo Wiggins mill in Stoneywood.

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Wullie Wallace, the Unite union’s regional officer in Aberdeen said today: “As a result of a proposal to sell off its casting papers business to Favini, 30 Stoneywood mill jobs have been put at the risk of redundancy.”

He continued: “Unite has commenced consultations over the proposal, and will be consulting with members over the coming weeks. The initial response from Unite members is that this could have a detrimental effect on the medium to long term future of some of the assets at Stoneywood Mill, and is not in the interests of the workforce.”

Casting papers are a key component in the manufacture of synthetic materials such as man-made leather for the automotive, fashion and furniture industries.

Pascal Lebard, the chairman Arjo Wiggins, said: “Casting paper is a sector in which size is key. By selling this business to Favini, we are enabling it to develop and grow as part of a group that will be a leading player in this market. Moreover, the exclusive agreement with Favini to supply base paper and coated paper will allow us to continue leveraging the technical and industrial expertise of our teams.”

There has been a paper mill at the Stoneywood site on the banks of the River Don in Aberdeen since 1770.

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