Catalyst Paper Machine Starts Up

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. announced today that it will indefinitely curtail its Perry Sawmill in Florida later this month. Today’s decision is the result of high fiber costs and softening lumber markets. The indefinite curtailment of Perry Sawmill will impact approximately 126 employees and will reduce West Fraser’s US lumber production by 100 million board feet. West Fraser expects to mitigate the impact on effected employees by providing work opportunities at other West Fraser operations. High fiber costs at Perry and a low-price commodity environment have impaired its ability to profitably operate. The indefinite curtailment of Perry Sawmill better aligns our production capacity with demand.

Canfor Corporation is announcing an extension of sawmill curtailments in British Columbia (B.C.) due to ongoing weak market conditions and the lack of available economic fibre. The production capacity will be reduced through two-week curtailment extensions in January at select solid wood facilities in B.C. This will remove approximately 21 million board feet in addition to the 150 million board feet previously announced on December 5, 2022. The Company will continue to adjust operating rates to align with market conditions and the available supply of economically viable timber.

International Paper (IP) intends to stop newsprint production at the Madrid mill in Spain in mid-September, according to Euwid. The sites PM62 will be converted to production of containerboard slated to start in the fourth quarter of this year, as planned. The company is targeting a full ramp-up of the machine for early 2018. IP acquired the Madrid mill from Holmen in mid-2016 with the aim to make it a mill for recycled corrugated case material. PM 62 has the capacity to produce 330,000 tpy of newsprint.