Mercer Rosenthal resumes wastewater discharge and prepares pulp restart

Mercer Rosenthal gradually resumed discharge from its on-site wastewater treatment plant into Germany’s Saale River on 3 October 2026, in coordination with environmental authorities. In its October update, the company said preparations to restart pulp production were also underway.

The mill had interrupted its restart following a four-week maintenance shutdown after a report on 1 October of discolouration near the wastewater discharge point. As a precaution, it stopped discharge and retained wastewater in its own buffer basins.

The Saale-Orla District Office subsequently introduced a temporary swimming ban for the southern part of the Bleiloch Reservoir. Mercer said it remained in direct contact with the relevant authorities throughout the suspension.

The Rosenthal am Rennsteig mill produces kraft pulp for paper and tissue applications and has annual capacity of 360,000 tonnes. Its principal markets are Germany and Italy, with most pulp transported by rail.

The site also produces tall oil and lignin and operates a biomass power plant with 413 MW of thermal capacity and 57 MW of electrical capacity.