Fibrek Extends Shutdown of Fairmont Mill to Four Weeks

Fibrek Inc., Montreal, Que., Canada, reports that it will extend the planned two-week shutdown of its Fairmont Mill in West Virginia, USA, to almost a month, citing current conditions in the RBK (recycled bleached kraft) pulp market. The shutdown had been scheduled for September 12 for the replacement of two decker drums and annual maintenance.

Originally planned for two weeks, the shutdown will be extended for two additional weeks to respond to current market conditions, Fibrek said in a press release. Fibrek added that the RBK pulp market continues to be negatively impacted by wastepaper prices, which it said remain very high.

The four-week shutdown will remove about 15,000 metric tons of RBK pulp from the market. The Fairmont Mill produces approximately 215,000 metric tpy of RBK pulp. Fibrek produces virgin and recycled kraft pulp at three mills located in Saint-Felicien, Que., Fairmont, W.Va., and in Menominee, Mich., with a combined annual production capacity of 760,000 metric tpy.

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