Resolute Permanent Closes Fort Frances Mill

Resolute Forest Products Inc., Montreal, Que., Canada, has permanently closed its previously idled pulp and paper mill in Fort Frances, Ont. The company announced an extended period of market-related outage on the mill’s remaining paper machine in January. The kraft pulp mill and another paper machine have been idled since November 2012.

 

"We tried hard to find a way to reposition these assets, particularly the pulp mill. But unfortunately, due to end product markets, the mill's operational configuration, and its cost position, we've concluded that there was no economically viable option for the pulp and paper operations at Fort Frances," said Richard Garneau, president and CEO.

 

Resolute will provide appropriate notice to staff who were retained to manage the idled facility. The company also will work with affected employees, all levels of government, and other local authorities on programs to lessen the impact of this permanent closure. Affected employees will be considered for job vacancies and opportunities at other company facilities.

 

Resolute is currently exploring opportunities to continue operating the biomass boiler and electricity-producing steam turbine. The company is also progressing on three important investment initiatives underway in Northwestern Ontario—the construction of a new sawmill in Atikokan, the upgrade and restart of the idled Ignace sawmill, and the construction of a wood pellet plant at the Thunder Bay sawmill.

 

Resolute Forest Products produces a diverse range of forest products, including newsprint, specialty papers, market pulp, and wood products. The company owns or operates more than 40 pulp and paper mills and wood products facilities in the U.S., Canada, and South Korea, and power generation assets in Canada.