Cariboo Pulp & Paper to Take Downtime in Spring, Fall, Due to Fibre Supply Shortage

Cariboo Pulp & Paper has an annual production output of 336,000 tonnes of high-quality ECF NBSK pulp and a workforce of approximately 400 people.

Feb. 7, 2023 - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. today announced the planned curtailment of operations at Cariboo Pulp & Paper located in Quesnel, British Columbia, beginning in mid-April for a month and then for another month in the third quarter.

The Cariboo Pulp & Paper mill produces NBSK pulp.

In a press release, West Fraser said, "Today's decision is the result of the decline in availability of sawmill residuals. The fibre supply challenge in British Columbia is well documented. Infestation, fire, and government policy decisions have all impacted the amount of available fibre in the province.

"Downtime at Cariboo Pulp & Paper will help better align our production capacity this year with the available fibre supply. These plans may be adjusted should fibre forecasts change."

Cariboo Pulp & Paper expects to mitigate some of the impact on its affected employees through vacation scheduling and alternative work assignments.

About Cariboo Pulp & Paper

Cariboo Pulp & Paper commenced production in November 1972 with a daily production of 675 tonnes of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp. The mill is a 50/50 joint venture between West Fraser and Mercer International, with the Mercer purchase occurring in December 2018. The mill has an annual production output of 336,000 tonnes of high-quality ECF NBSK and a workforce of approximately 400 people.

West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The Company produces lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, other residuals, and renewable energy.

SOURCE: West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. and Mercer International