Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement Yield Results for Domtar

You are probably already aware that environmental stewardship is one of Monadnock Paper Mill’s core beliefs. But we’re also keeping a close eye on the future—that of our organization, our economy, and our planet. That’s why we are long-time partners with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power (2007), SmartWay Transport (2010), and WasteWise Partner (2002) Programs. Through the EPA programs, we’ve committed to: *Using green power as a way to reduce the impacts associated with conventional electricity use. *Moving goods in the cleanest, most efficient way possible in the U.S. and Canada, SmartWay partners protect the environment, enhance North America’s energy security and foster economic vitality. *Promoting the use and reuse of materials more productively over their entire life cycles. One hundred percent of Monadnock’s papers are made with renewable wind-powered electricity that is certified by Green-e® (Third-party Certified Renewable Energy Certificates) and we’ve delivered: *Promoting environmental awareness among our customers, suppliers, converters, employees, and local residents. *Providing environmentally sustainable products and services to our customers. *Maintaining our record of compliance with environmental regulations and standards. *Continuing to invest in research to determine innovative ways to reduce waste and to efficiently use natural resources. *Choosing materials with minimal environmental impacts during the design and development of new products. *Encouraging legislators and state officials to develop sound environmental policies and regulations. *Committing to continual improvement in pollution prevention and in reducing environmental impacts identified in our 14001 Environmental Management System.

Paper Excellence Canada announced the curtailment of operations at its pulp mill in Mackenzie, British Columbia targeting the final week of June 2020. Paper Excellence has substantially invested to improve mill operations since acquiring the Mackenzie facility in 2010. Despite best efforts by the company and its committed team of employees in Mackenzie, the COVID-19 global pandemic is having negative impacts on pulp markets creating conditions that no longer support the on-going operation of the mill. Furthermore, the deep fibre shortage in BC and the Mackenzie region have affected the mill’s competitiveness. This shortage was exacerbated by recent curtailment of sawmills in the Mackenzie region dramatically reducing economic fibre availability.

The Navigator Company announced today that it will apply an energy, logistics and commodities surcharge to its tissue products, amounting 15% of the sales price, to offset the significant and unexpected raising of its input cost. Its application will be effective for all dispatches from 15 th of January onwards. The continuity and amount will be regularly reviewed based on the evolving market conditions. The global change in the economy, with dramatic impacts, affects the overall industry with unsustainable increase in input costs, such as energy, natural gas, pulp, chemical products, packaging materials, wood pallets and logistics. Navigator believes that this exceptional measure is imperative to support the long-term sustainability of its business model and of the overall supply chain.