[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAPPI NORTH AMERICA'S SOMERSET MILL

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Sappi North 
America, Inc., on 50 years of operations at the Somerset Mill in 
Skowhegan, ME. Since opening in 1976 on the banks of the Kennebec 
River, the Somerset Mill has grown into one of the most technologically 
advanced paper mills in North America. Today, the mill manufactures 
high-quality paper products from trees harvested in Maine and is known 
for its longstanding commitment to its employees and the surrounding 
community.
  The Somerset Mill employs approximately 780 skilled workers, making 
it one of the largest employers in Maine. The facility operates three 
state-of-the-art paper machines, with a total annual production 
capacity of 1.25 million tons. The mill produces coated freesheet paper 
commonly used for magazines, brochures, and direct mail advertising. It 
is also a leading producer of paper and paperboard used in packaging, 
labels, graphic papers, and grease-proof paper for food packaging.
  Project Elevate, a $500 million modernization investment completed 
last year, doubled the production capacity of Paper Machine No. 2. 
These recent investments in the Somerset Mill reflect the steadfast 
devotion Sappi holds to producing quality products and responding to 
market demands, further strengthening Sappi's position as a leader in 
sustainably manufactured paperboard.
  Sappi North America has undertaken significant efforts to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions. The Somerset Mill generates much of its 
energy on-site using biomass from papermaking byproducts, namely bark 
and wood chips. Sappi also has an approved Science Based Targets 
Initiative goal to reduce its carbon emissions by 41 percent by 2030. 
Additionally, the Somerset Mill holds triple certification from the 
Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and 
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. These accolades 
reflect Sappi's continued effort to maintain the long-term well-being 
of Maine's invaluable natural environment.
  Sappi's Somerset Mill has been recognized for its attention to the 
safety of its employees. In 2023, for the first time in its 50-year 
history, the pulp mill completed the fiscal year without a recordable 
injury. The mill also achieved 1 million hours without a Lost Time 
Injury and received a Gold Award through Sappi's global Safety 
Recognition Awards program.
  The mill's impact extends beyond its operations and into the 
surrounding community. In 2026, Sappi's Somerset Mill leadership was 
named Large Business of the Year by both the Mid-Maine Chamber of 
Commerce and the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2025, Sappi 
North America CEO Mike Haws was recognized as the MaineBiz Leader of 
the Year. In 2023, the Somerset Mill received the Somerset County 
Champions Award at the Heart of Maine United Way campaign kickoff event 
after raising 30 percent of the county's total United Way workplace 
campaign contributions.
  I congratulate Sappi North America and all the employees of the 
Somerset Mill on this milestone anniversary and thank them for their 
continued contributions to Maine's economy, paper industry, and 
communities.

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