DS Smith Lucca Mill Shuts Down PM1 After 55 Years of 5M Tonne Production

DS Smith Lucca Paper Mill bid farewell to its PM1 paper machine on December 5, 2025, at 4pm, concluding 55 years of operations that produced over 5 million tonnes of paper while reliably serving customer needs in packaging grades. This shutdown marks the end of an era for the site, which originally set industry benchmarks upon PM1's launch, honoring decades of employee dedication in sustainable fiber processing and quality delivery.​

The closure paves the way for PM3, a state-of-the-art upgrade launching next year to lead innovation in high-performance, recycled-content packaging papers with superior energy efficiency and reduced emissions. This transition reinforces DS Smith's commitment to circular economy advancements amid Europe's recycling mandates, positioning Lucca as a frontrunner in eco-friendly paperboard production for corrugated and specialty applications. Stakeholders celebrate the legacy while anticipating PM3's contributions to long-term growth and sustainability goals.