Canadian pulp and paper producer Catalyst Paper is currently taking downtime at its Port Alberni and Powell River mills. The company said that one paper machine each at the two mills had been temporarily idled. Production was stopped on 30 November and is expected to restart approximately ten days later. About 140 employees are affected by the curtailment.
The Port Alberni mill produces directory paper and LWC. The site has two machines with a total capacity of 340,000 tpy. At Powell River, Catalyst Paper produces newsprint and SC paper on two machines with a capacity of around 350,000 tpy. Both mills are located in British Columbia, Canada.
CEO Ned Dwyer explained that the Asian markets, where the company had recently increased its sales, had suddenly weakened. Furthermore, the company had to struggle with shortage of fibre as well as high fibre and natural gas, he added.
Catalyst paper emphasised that existing customer orders would be fulfilled. Pulp production is reportedly not affected by the measures.
