Paper Excellence has announced the indefinite curtailment of its paper operations at the Catalyst Crofton facility starting in early December, but pulp operations will continue.
According to a press release sent out by the company, paper markets in China have significantly weakened while there have been substantial cost escalations for chemicals, energy and wood fibre used at Crofton.
Paper Excellence said they will continue to fulfill existing paper orders with production from their Port Alberni mill where possible.
In 2021, the company invested in repurposing its Port Alberni paper machines to manufacture food and packaging grades, and could possibly expand that program to Crofton with government assistance.
Port Alberni’s paper machines are now the last ones rolling from the original group of 4 paper mills that included the Elk Falls mill near Campbell River, which closed in 2010, and Powell River which shut down in December of last year.
150 unionized employees will be directly affected by the Crofton curtailment.
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