Our mill
The Somerset Mill was carved out of a 2,500 acre tract of land in central Maine.
Each of the three paper machines at the facility employs Sappi Fine Paper North America’s patented on-line finishing technology. This technology combines the three steps (paper making, coating and finishing) in the manufacture of coated paper into one continuous process. It is well suited for the lighter weight coated woodfree sheet papers produced at the mill, because it allows the production of high gloss, consistent quality products quickly and efficiently. The paper manufactured at the Somerset Mill is primarily used for high-end magazines, books and catalogs.
| Products produced |
Capacity paper
(tpa*) |
Capacity pulp
(tpa) |
| Bleached chemical pulp for own consumption and market pulp |
|
490,000 |
| Coated woodfree graphic paper |
760,000 |
|
| Paper machine |
Capacity
(tpa) |
Width
(mm) |
| PM1 |
260,000 |
8,077 |
| PM2 |
210,000 |
8,077 |
| PM3 |
290,000 |
8,077 | |
* Ton(s): Term used on this website to denote a metric ton of 1,000kg.
tpa: Abbreviation used on this website to denote metric tons per annum.
Our products
Some of the most requested coated fine papers originate at the Somerset Mill, including Flo, Somerset and Opus.
Our milestones
| 1990 |
|
| 1986 |
- Construction begins on PM2 in response to a significant increase in demand for the products made at Somerset.
|
| 1982 |
- The mill becomes an integrated facility with the completion of PM1.
|
| 1976 |
- The pulp mill is built and for several years bleached market pulp is the mill's only product.
|
| 1974 |
- Groundbreaking for the pulp mill.
| |
Our environment
Somerset Mill was designed for optimal operational and environmental performance. The mill generates most of its own electricity and supplies all of its own water and steam. The power plant could provide enough electricity for a city of 30,000 people.
In addition, the mill has been proactive in the area of pollution prevention, removing all PCB-containing transformers and capacitors and significantly reducing waste.
In 1997, the pulp mill was successfully converted to an elemental chlorine free operation. And starting in 2005, the Somerset Mill began to follow the protocols and guidelines for wood procurement put forth by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Fiber Sourcing program.
Our community
More than 300 local organizations have been supported by Somerset Mill with gifts-in-kind, volunteerism, and financial contributions, including the Community Health and Counseling Center, the Boys & Girls Club, the Maine Special Olympics and over 25 local school programs.
Mill employees have also donated thousands of hours to community groups.
Contact details
To view our contact details, click here.