Paper Excellence Eyes Early May Restart of No. 11 Paper Machine at Powell River Mill

PM 11 was curtailed in the spring of 2020 after an external malware attack and the COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously impacted the mill's paper production as well as global paper demand.

March 8, 2021 - Paper Excellence announced today that it plans to restart Number 11 Paper Machine at Catalyst Powell River, a Paper Excellence company, on or around May 1, 2021. The restart reflects the recent recovery in global paper markets and Paper Excellence's long-term commitment to the Powell River facility.

The machine was curtailed in the spring of 2020 after an external malware attack and the COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously impacted the mill's paper production as well as global paper demand.

A total of 200 jobs will return with the startup of the paper machine.

"This is long awaited good news for Powell River," said Patrick Corriveau, Vice President of Paper and Packaging at Paper Excellence. "We deeply appreciate the patience shown by our employees. We know the extended curtailment had a significant impact on them, their families, our business partners, and the greater community."

Paper Excellence continues to be hopeful that improved global paper markets will enable it to restart the mill's second paper machine later in 2021.

About the Powell River Mill

Located on the mainland coast of British Columbia, Canada, the Powell River mill is a producer of high quality newsprint and uncoated mechanical specialty papers used in catalogues, magazines, newsletters, inserts, flyers, high-volume weekend newspaper magazines and food packaging papers. The mill has two paper machines, PM 10 and PM 11, with a combined production capacity of 334,000 tonnes per year. In 2019, the mill used 93% renewable energy and has reduced its carbon emissions by 79% since 1990.

Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp, printing and writing, packaging, and specialty paper that operates 8 facilities in Canada producing over 3 million tonnes annually. The company employs over 3,000 people. To learn more, visit: www.paperexcellence.com.

SOURCE: Paper Excellence