Dr. Karsten Derks to Become Sole Owner of Papierfabrik Niederauer Mühle Effective October 1, 2026

Dr. Karsten Derks will become the sole owner of Papierfabrik Niederauer Mühle (PNM), effective October 1, 2026. The unanimous decision by the Autenrieb and Meyer families marks a significant milestone in the company’s history and paves the way for its next phase of development.

The families took over PNM in 1984. Since then, paper manufacturer Holger Autenrieb, his wife Christiane, and businessman Manfred Meyer have worked closely with the company’s employees to expand the business significantly. Driven by Holger Autenrieb’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation, with strong support from Christiane Autenrieb, annual paper production grew from approximately 9,000 tonnes to a peak of around 345,000 tonnes.

“The skills and commitment of the workforce have convinced me to take on entrepreneurial responsibility myself,” says Dr. Karsten Derks.

A Clear Path Forward in a Challenging Market

Declining demand and rapidly rising energy costs have placed considerable pressure on the paper industry in recent years, and market conditions remain challenging. In 2026, PNM laid the initial foundations for stabilisation, with further transformation measures now underway.

Bringing ownership and executive management under one roof will enable faster, clearer decision-making and strengthen the company’s ability to respond to changing market conditions.

“Our families have shared decades of work and many personal memories at Niederauer Mühle. That makes letting go anything but easy. However, we trust Dr. Derks and are convinced that he brings the ideas and determination needed to open up new prospects for PNM,” says Stephanie Zanders, representing the Autenrieb family.

Kristina Schwahlen, representing the Meyer family, adds: “Dr. Derks brings exactly the fresh perspective that PNM needs at this time to regain its competitive position and succeed in the market.”

Circular Economy and Sustainable Paper Innovation

PNM’s future strategy builds on the expertise and commitment of its workforce, as well as the company’s distinctive position in sustainable paper manufacturing.

The company is the only paper mill in Germany able to process fibres recovered from used beverage cartons into new paper for corrugated packaging. This capability makes PNM a distinctive example of successful circular economy practices.

Its newly developed and certified EifelLiner PaperLoop guarantees a minimum of 25% recycled beverage-carton fibres. The product is designed for businesses seeking reliable, sustainable materials for their packaging solutions.

Building on New Opportunities

Dr. Derks intends to actively pursue the opportunities emerging from the transformation of the paper industry. New partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities will also play a role in supporting PNM’s continued development and future growth.

The company extends its sincere thanks to the Autenrieb and Meyer families for their longstanding commitment and trust. Together with its employees and Dr. Derks, Papierfabrik Niederauer Mühle is now preparing to shape the next chapter of its development.