Norske Skog to rebuild Halden paper machine for up to NOK 850m

Norske Skog has taken the investment decision to rebuild paper machine PM6 at its Saugbrugs mill in Halden, idle since the April 2023 rockslide, at a cost of up to about NOK 850m. The rebuilt line is to make either up to roughly 300,000 tonnes of TMP-based kraftliner or about 230,000 tonnes of SC magazine paper a year and start up in the first half of 2028; machines PM4 and PM5 are then to close for good, and the new line needs fewer staff (the company gives no job figures). Funding is to come partly from a sale and leaseback of the PM6 building; the site is also exploring an 80–100 MW data centre on spare land (Norske Skog Oslo Børs filing, 7 Oct 2026). Update (1 November 2026): The letter of intent with Green Mountain for a data centre at Saugbrugs expired on 31 October 2026 and will not be extended; Norske Skog is continuing development of the 80-100 MW project and will look for a new industrial partner (Oslo Børs disclosure, 1 November 2026).