Roman Knorr takes the industrial helm at Niederauer Mühle after 18 years

The industrial leadership at Papierfabrik Niederauer Mühle has officially transitioned. In early November 2026, Roman Knorr assumed the role of Plant Manager (Werksleiter) at the Kreuzau-based testliner manufacturer, succeeding Peter Czoski, who held the position for 27 years. This appointment marks a generational shift in the technical direction of the mill, placing the operational helm in the hands of an executive whose entire professional trajectory has been forged within the company's walls.

Knorr's ascent is a textbook example of internal industrial development. Over his 18-year tenure at Niederauer Mühle, he began as an apprentice in papermaking technology, subsequently earning a Bachelor of Engineering in Paper Technology. Since 2020, he had been serving as Operations Manager (Betriebsleiter), a role in which he already bore significant responsibility for the mill's technical execution.

Continuity amidst structural transformation

The timing of this appointment is highly strategic. It follows closely on the heels of a major corporate shift: in October 2026, CEO Dr. Karsten Derks acquired 100% ownership of the company from the Autenrieb and Meyer families. Derks is currently steering the company through a rigorous restructuring process, which recently included the shutdown of the smaller of its two paper machines to adapt to high energy costs and market pressures.

By promoting Knorr, Derks secures critical operational continuity. Knorr possesses intimate knowledge of the mill's remaining core asset, the PM 2. During his tenure as Operations Manager, he was instrumental in the comprehensive 2023 rebuild of this machine—executed in partnership with Voith and Toscotec—which upgraded the dryer section to enhance the quality of the white top testliner and improve energy efficiency.

Focus on specialized recycling

As the new Werksleiter, Knorr faces the immediate challenge of optimizing production around Niederauer Mühle's unique market proposition: the processing of used beverage cartons. The Kreuzau facility remains the only paper mill in Germany equipped to recover fibers from separated beverage cartons and convert them directly into corrugated base paper.

With the recent launch of the EifelLiner PaperLoop, a white-coated testliner containing at least 25 percent recycled beverage carton fibers, the technical demands on the production line are stringent. Knorr's deep engineering background and historical knowledge of the plant's specific stock preparation and paper machine dynamics will be essential to scale this niche product efficiently and ensure the mill's long-term industrial viability under its new ownership.