The paper mills in Rhinelander and Mosinee have new owners. Formerly owned by Wausau Paper, the mills are now owned by Expera Specialty Solutions. The companies have closed the sale of Wausau Paper’s specialty business and Expera began operating the mills Wednesday, June 26.

Expera also has taken ownership of mills in Kaukauna and DePere, having acquired Packaging Dynamics Corporation’s specialty paper business, Thilmany.
The mills in Rhinelander, Mosinee, DePere and Kaukauna employ a total of approximately 1,800 people.

Expera Specialty Solutions LLC is a newly formed company created by KPS Capital Partners LP, a New York-based private equity firm. Expera will manufacture specialty paper products for use in the tape, pressure-sensitive release liner, industrial and food packaging industries. The company says that with the acquisition of Wausau Specialty Paper and Thilmany, Expera is now “North America’s leading manufacturer of specialty paper solutions.”