Tembec to Indefinitely Idle Chetwynd, B.C., High-Yield Pulp Mill

Tembec, Montréal, Qué., Canada, this week announced that, due to market related conditions, it will indefinitely idle its high-yield pulp mill at Chetwynd, B.C., Canada, beginning September 16. The Chetwynd mill's high-yield pulp is used in printing and writing papers, paperboard, and tissue and toweling production. Pulp produced at the Chetwynd mill is shipped primarily to Asia.

"The high-yield pulp market has continued to soften over the past year. At today's price levels, it is virtually impossible to maintain viable operations given the current cost structure of the Chetwynd mill," said Chris Black, Tembec EVP and president of the Paper and Paper Pulp Group. "This is a difficult decision that we have not taken lightly since it has an impact on employees and on the region. We will continue to monitor the market and, in due course, reassess the situation accordingly," he added.

A total of 115 employees are currently employed at the Chetwynd mill, which was built in 1990. The mill has an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons. It was acquired by Tembec in 2002.

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