Witzenhausen Mill Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation and Resilience
On April 30, 2025, DS Smith’s Witzenhausen paper mill in Germany proudly marked its 50th anniversary with a celebratory event held at the Culture and Congress Center in Bad Sooden-Allendorf.
The milestone brought together around 300 guests, including current and former employees and their partners, as well as colleagues from our Aschaffenburg Mill, to honour five decades of progress, innovation, and community partnership.
A Legacy of Transformation and Performance
Opening the event, Mill Manager Erwin Sversepa reflected on the mill’s evolution—from its early, challenging beginnings to its current status as a high-performing, industry-leading operation.
The journey of Witzenhausen is a story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence. This milestone celebrates not just the facility, but the people behind its success—past and present.
Witzenhausen Mill is one of DS Smith’s most efficient operations, playing a vital role in the company’s recycled paper production network. In the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the site achieved new monthly and annual production records, underscoring its role as a benchmark for operational excellence within the group.
Contributing to DS Smith’s Sustainability and Innovation Goals
As part of DS Smith’s Now and Next sustainability strategy, the Witzenhausen Mill continues to lead the way in circular economy practices. With a strong focus on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing, the mill embodies DS Smith’s ambition to redefine packaging through sustainable innovation. Its continuous improvement culture not only drives performance but also aligns closely with our targets to reduce CO₂ emissions and increase the recyclability of our products.
The mill’s innovations in paper production contribute to DS Smith’s broader goal of offering 100% recyclable or reusable packaging and replacing problematic plastics in the supply chain. Witzenhausen stands as a key site in our strategy to deliver innovative solutions that help customers meet their own sustainability commitments.
A Community Anchor
Mayor Lukas Sittel of Witzenhausen praised the mill’s enduring impact on the region:
" The 50th anniversary of the paper mill in Witzenhausen is an important milestone – both for DS Smith and for our town. As a reliable employer and a key economic factor, the paper mill has played a decisive role in the development of Witzenhausen. At the same time, the company demonstrates strong social responsibility through its diverse local commitments, thereby contributing to social cohesion in our region."
I would like to express my special thanks to the company and all its employees for their long-standing loyalty to our town. Their daily commitment is the foundation of the company's success and is of great importance for the future of Witzenhausen.
Lukas Sittel of Witzenhausen
Mayor
As DS Smith continues to invest in sustainable packaging and circular economy solutions, Witzenhausen remains at the forefront of innovation and performance. The event was also an opportunity to recognise the team’s achievements.
A great location and excellent organisation—a big thank you to Kerstin Gorny and her team! It was a fantastic opportunity to talk to so many people and celebrate Witzenhausen's 50th anniversary in style.
