The Temiscaming mill complex includes two plants: one produces paperboard and high-yield pulp, while the other, a high-purity cellulose operation, was idled in July of 2024.
Aug. 31, 2026 (CTV News) - As Canada's forestry industry comes under attack from the trade war with the United States, a Quebec paperboard manufacturer on the border with Ontario says it is closing, putting more than 400 people out of work.
The RYAM industrial complex in Temiscaming, Quebec, will close in September, officials announced Thursday.
The facility is located about 45 minutes east of North Bay, Ontario, and is the largest employer in the community of 2,500. It has operated for nearly a century.
Temiscaming Mayor Alain Gauthier worked at the plant for more than 20 years and served as the general manager a decade ago when 900 people were employed there.
"It's the nature of the beast. I'm used to it — it's not our first barbecue," Gauthier said.
"Normally, we control it. The unknown part is that it's the first time where it's an economic shutdown where we don't control nothing. We want to control the inventory to our customers and (the) price of raw materials."
In a news release, RYAM spokesperson Alexandre Boucher said operations will shut down Sept. 15.
"The duration of this shutdown remains undetermined," Boucher said.
Read the complete article on CTV News.
SOURCE: CTV News
PaperAge editor's note: The Temiscaming mill complex includes two plants: one produces paperboard and high-yield pulp, while the other, a high-purity cellulose operation, was idled in July of 2024.
Additionally, RYAM in October of 2023 engaged Houlihan Lokey as its financial advisor to explore the potential sale of the paperboard and high-yield pulp assets located at the Temiscaming site. The company said "This strategic move is aligned with RYAM's commitment to enhancing its operational and financial performance, optimizing its portfolio to align with its long-term growth strategy, and providing flexibility to pay down debt and reduce leverage."
SOURCE: RYAM