Fortress Paper to Sell Lebel-Sur-Quévillon Pulp Mill, Sawmill

Fortress Paper Ltd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada, has, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Fortress Global Cellulose Ltd. and Fortress Lumber Corp. (together with Fortress Global), entered into an asset purchase agreement with LSQ Energy L.P.  and LSQ Development L.P. (together with Energy LP), each a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nexolia Bioenergy Inc., providing for the sale of the buildings, equipment and other ancillary property relating to the non-operating pulp mill and sawmill, as well as the energy generation, connection, and transmission plant and related equipment, located in Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Québec for an aggregate purchase price of $15.36 million. Pursuant to the terms of the APA, the company has agreed to guarantee certain limited representations and warranties of the vendor. The transaction is expected to close on or before July 8, 2016.

 

The purchase price is to be comprised of a $7 million secured note issued by Energy LP in favor of the Vendor, $0.86 million by the assumption by the Purchaser of property tax liabilities of the Vendor, and the assumption by the purchaser of up to $7.5 million of the vendor's liabilities under a trust agreement among BMO Trust Co., 9109-3294 Québec Inc. (9109), Domtar Inc., and Fortress Global, dated June 13, 2012. The vendor intends to assign the Note to Investissement Québec (IQ) immediately following closing in consideration for an equivalent set off against the indebtedness owed to IQ by Fortress Specialty Cellulose Inc. (FSC). The Note will be guaranteed by FSC, subject to a deferred payment obligation of up to five years, if necessary.

 

The closing of the APA is subject to various conditions, including the purchaser having obtained third-party financing in respect of a portion of the purchase price and working capital, the governmental authorizations required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the APA, the execution of an amended Trust Agreement and the release of the vendor from all obligations under the Trust Agreement, (iv) the execution of amended superficies and servitudes agreements between 9109 and the Purchaser, permitting the transfer of certain LSQ Mill assets to the purchaser, the release of the letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $1.125 million which had been previously deposited by Fortress Global with Hydro Québec Distribution (HQD) in connection with its electricity supply contract, and the purchaser entering into a non-production agreement with the company providing for the non-production of dissolving pulp and paper grade pulp using the purchased assets at the LSQ Mill. 

The purchaser has deposited approximately $1.98 million into trust with its legal counsel, which amount will be used to pay on closing the property taxes owing by the vendor and to allow the purchaser to deliver to HQD the security necessary to release the letters of credit previously deposited by Fortress Global. 

Yvon Pelletier, president and CEO of Fortress Paper, said that "the sale of the LSQ Mill represents a divestiture of a non-core asset, which will release the company from a number of future obligations and allow it to focus on other value enhancing transactions to grow its business."  

Fortress Paper operates internationally in two distinct business segments: dissolving pulp and security paper products. The company operates its dissolving pulp business at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill located in Canada, which has expanded into the renewable energy generation sector with the construction of a cogeneration facility. The company operates its security paper products business at the Landqart Mill in Switzerland, where it produces banknote, passport, visa, and other brand protection and security papers. 

Nexolia Bioenergy is a private company focused on investing in natural resources, renewable energy, and other projects that could result in a sustainable economic development and job creation, provide services and resources to northern communities, while operating in a transparent and respectful manner towards the communities and the environment.