Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Saiccor Mill
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
relying on us for their livelihood
WORKFORCE
WORKFORCE
Highly skilled and motivated employees
PRODUCTION
tons
PRODUCTION
tons
dissolving wood pulp (DWP) annually
Saiccor Mill has been a pillar of innovation since its establishment in 1951 and takes pride in producing a product of unparalleled purity, reaching clients across the globe. Our dissolving wood pulp is the cornerstone of industries such as textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals, and powers our iconic product brand, Verve.
Meet our people
Sappi’s support and focus on teamwork, safety, and sustainability have empowered my growth from Trainee Operator in 2007 to Production Manager today.
Xolani Mbatha – Production Manager, Saiccor Mill
About Saiccor Mill
Acquired by Sappi in 1989, Saiccor Mill, located in Umkomaas on the scenic south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is a vital part of the eThekwini Municipality and lies just 50 km south of Durban. This acquisition marked Sappi's pioneering step into the global dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market.
Today, Saiccor Mill proudly holds the title of the world’s largest Acid Sulphide dissolving wood pulp mill, renowned for producing exceptionally pure products.
An impressive 95% of our dissolving wood pulp is exported worldwide, serving key industries such as textiles, food, and pharmaceuticals. Our flagship product brand, Verve, fuels innovation in fashion as the driving force behind viscose fabric—a popular choice in sustainable and versatile apparel.
Our Services
In the Dissolving Wood Pulp Centre of Excellence (COE) we provide product application and technical support to Sappi’s Verve customers by ensuring that the Verve product specifications for each customer are tailored to be fit for purpose, by acting as the primary technical point of contact for our customers, by assisting our customers to optimise the use of Sappi Verve in their processes and by partnering with customers to solve problems and develop new opportunities. The COE also serves as an innovation centre for Verve, undertaking product development projects and more fundamental research work that enhances the quality, sustainability and range of Verve products and applications. Finally, the COE partners with Sappi’s three Verve mills to ensure that the quality and reactivity of Sappi Verve continues to meet the needs of our customers
Empowering our community
Our community isn’t just where we operate—it’s home to many of our employees and the heart of our business. At Saiccor Mill, we’re committed to making a real impact through initiatives like our Community Skills Centre. This dynamic learning hub equips both local community members and Sappi employees with technical and vocational skills, opening doors to sustainable businesses and meaningful careers. Together, we’re building a stronger, more skilled future.
More about the mill
In 2022, the mill completed a significant expansion and environmental upgrade, marking a milestone in both production and sustainability. Key advancements included the installation of a state-of-the-art recovery boiler and a shift from a calcium-based process to an innovative magnesium closed-loop recovery system. These upgrades have dramatically reduced the mill's environmental footprint by lowering fossil fuel energy demands and boosting the use of renewable energy.
But we didn’t stop there—our commitment to sustainability continues with groundbreaking innovations to reclaim and reuse lignin, a vital component of wood fibre. By better harnessing our energy resources, we’re further enhancing the mill's efficiency and reducing its environmental impact.
Caring for the environment
The Saiccor Vulindlela Upgrade and Expansion Project, completed in 2022, is aimed at increasing global competitiveness, accelerating shareholder value and driving positive social impact by:
Certifications for Saiccor Mill
Our certifications ensure that our performance is monitored and that our operations comply with global best practice across a range of environmental, safety and quality topics.
Explore our other Mills in Africa
Lomati Mill
Lomati Sawmill, established in 1971, is a manufacturing plant that produces kiln dried Southern African pine lumber from sawlogs supplied by Sappi Forests.
Ngodwana Mill
Ngodwana Mill has been in operation since 1966 and entered the dissolving wood pulp (DP) market in 2013 with the conversion of part of the mill’s paper-grade pulp production to DP production.
Saiccor Mill
Saiccor Mill, a Sappi Pulp facility, produces world-class products in South Africa, where technology and infrastructure meet global demands. It is located 50 km south of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
Stanger Mill
Stanger Mill is unique in South Africa in that it uses bagasse as its basic raw material in the manufacture of office paper and tissue paper. Situated along the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, the mill is ideally situated to take advantage of the ready supply of bagasse from the neighbouring Gledhow Sugar Company.
Tugela Mill
Tugela Mill has been in operation since 1945 and is currently the oldest purpose-built mill in the Sappi group. The mill produces neutral sulphite semi-chemical pulp for its own consumption, corrugating medium (containerboard) and lignosulphonate for export.
Where to find us
Get in contact
Communications Practitioner