KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Tugela Mill
WORKFORCE
WORKFORCE
Highly skilled and motivated employees
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION
Tons of corrugating medium
PRODUCTIONāÆ
PRODUCTIONāÆ
Tons of NSSC pulp for own consumption
Leading the way in packaging innovation in South Africa, the Tugela Mill is located between the ports of Richards Bay and Durban, allowing for easy access to global markets.
Tugela Opportunities
We work hard to attract, retain and develop people who are committed to delivering excellent work and being the best they can possibly be.āÆ
Weāre looking for passionate, driven individuals who are ready to make an impact. At Sappi Tugela, we thrive on innovation, ambition, and continuous growthāoffering dynamic opportunities in a fast-evolving industry. If youāre up for the challenge, weāll back you with training, career development, and great benefits to help you succeed.
Meet our people
What makes our employees so highly engaged and motivated?
Joining Sappi at a young age profoundly transformed my life. The amazing educational opportunities provided me with the foundation to grow from a Boiler Maker assistant into a skilled Artisan, shaping not only my career but also my future.
Emanuel Ponnen,Fitter, Tugela Mill
Sappi opens up exciting opportunities and presents possibilities for learning every day, with no limits.
Mandla Nhlengethwa, Electrician, Tugela Mill
I enjoy working for Sappi because it actively promotes a collaborative work environment that fosters teamwork and innovation. This culture creates an atmosphere where employees thrive and truly enjoy their work.
Amanda Makhoba, HR Administrator, Tugela Mill
Iām proud to work at Sappi, a people-friendly company that adapts to industry changes, values learning and acquiring new skills, and rewards employee contributions.
Tinus Erasmus, Manager Learning, Tugela Mill
About Tugela Mill
Located in Mandeni near the Tugela River on KwaZulu-Natalās north coast, the Tugela Mill has been a cornerstone of operations since 1954, earning its place as the Sappi group's oldest purpose-built mill.
The mill produces 170,000 tons of neutral sulphite semi-chemical pulp (NSSC) annually for internal use. With a production capacity of 200,000 tons per year, it also manufactures a variety of Ultraflute Plus and Ultraflex corrugating mediums, utilizing both recycled and virgin fibers.
As a leader in packaging innovation in South Africa, the Tugela Mill provides high-performance containerboard packaging. These lightweight yet durable boxes are specifically designed to retain strength in cold storage, making them an ideal choice for the agricultural sector. They are widely used across South Africa, particularly in the citrus export industry.
Sappi Tugela Mill is proud to be at the forefront of excellence, having earned the prestigious GMP+ Feed Safety Assurance (FSA) 2020 certification for the "Production of Feed Additives." This milestone makes Sappi Southern Africa only the second organisation in Africa to achieve this globally recognised certification for its lignin-based product, Pelletin, which is used as an additive in animal feed manufacturing.
GMP+ is the largest and most rigorous animal feed certification scheme in the world, ensuring safe feed throughout the entire production chain. It emphasises stringent quality assurance and risk management practices in the production and trade of feed. This accomplishment reflects Sappi Tugela Millās dedication to maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and innovation.
By achieving this certification, Tugela Mill solidifies its position as a leader in both sustainable practices and trusted feed production, serving the agricultural sector with excellence.
Working at Tugela Mill
In addition to our versatile range of products, including Ultraflute Plus and Ultraflex corrugating medium made from recycled and virgin fibre, the mill has expanded its offerings by partnering with Sappi Biotech as a key producer of lignosulphonate. With an annual production capacity of 25,000 tons of lignosulphonate in powder form and 35,000 tons in liquid form, this innovative product has quickly become a vital addition to our portfolio.
Our lignosulphonate is a highly versatile solution, finding applications in a variety of industries. It is used in the production of ready-mix concrete, as a binder for pelletising animal feed, pet food, and fertilisers, and in the manufacture of ceramics and clay bricks. Additionally, it plays a critical role in road dust management, soil stabilisation, crop protection, crop nutrition, and even oil well drilling.
We are passionate about building a team of talented individuals who strive for excellence and take pride in their work.
As a forward-thinking and evolving company, weāre looking for energetic individuals eager to embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with our dynamic industry. If you bring the drive and determination, weāll provide the tools to help you growācomprehensive training, career development, and an array of benefits to support you along the way.
Situated on KwaZulu-Natalās breathtaking north coast, youāll enjoy not only an inspiring work environment but also a lifestyle that blends outdoor adventure with the perfect work-life harmony.
Our community, where many of our employees live, is central to our operations. Collaborating with local forums, we create positive social impact through initiatives like employment, SME development under the Enterprise Supplier Development programme, skills training and youth upliftment, and early childhood development. A great example is the Integrated Resource Management (IRM) programme housed within the Umfolozi TVET College ā a partnership between Sappi and the NBI (National Business Initiative) which aims to tackle youth unemployment and economic exclusion by creating pathways for young people into artisanal occupations such as plumbing, electrical work, and equipment maintenance. The programme also supports township-based entrepreneurs by helping them grow their businesses and connect with local markets, while enhancing the capacity of TVET colleges for demand-driven skills training.
Caring for the environment
Sustainable waste solutions with Sappi ReFibre
Certifications for Tugela 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
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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 millās 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