Ribeyrolle joined the company in 2003 as manager of the pulp mill in Tartas, France, with an annual production capacity of 150,000 metric tons. In 2008, he was promoted to director of sales, Specialty Cellulose, and in 2009, he became SVP, Specialty Cellulose, and president, Tembec SAS (France).
Under Ribeyrolle's leadership, Tembec has invested more than EUR 50 million in the Tartas site, transforming its process and product mix. When he joined Tembec, specialty cellulose accounted for just 20% of production at Tartas. Today, the Tartas site manufactures 100% specialty cellulose and has become the company's best performing asset.
"Christian is a key member of Tembec's senior management team. He has led the transformation of the Tartas mill, making it a very profitable operation with a reputation that is recognized internationally in the specialty cellulose market. Christian's deep expertise, his more than 25 years of experience in the industry, and his skills as a manager have served to position Tembec among the global leaders in the specialty cellulose market. We are very pleased to count on his contribution to our executive team," said James Lopez, president and CEO of Tembec. "Christian has been a tremendous asset in the development of the specialty cellulose component of Tembec's business portfolio," he added.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Yvon Pelletier for his 32 years of service and recognize his commitment to the company during his tenure with Tembec. We wish Yvon well," Lopez said.
Currently, a $190-million investment project is underway in Tembec's Temiscaming, Que., Canada, specialty cellulose facility. A $120-million Phase 2 to this project is now under study. This investment will increase annual production of green electricity by up to 50 MW, reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 70%, increase Temiscaming's annual production capacity of specialty cellulose, as well as make Temiscaming one of the world's lowest-cost specialty cellulose manufacturing facilities.
The overall project will increase Tembec's annual production capacity of specialty cellulose from the current 310,000 metric tons to 345,000 metric tons. The Temiscaming facility's production capacity will increase from the current 160,000 metric tons to 195,000 metric tons. Tembec's Tartas, France, specialty cellulose facility has a current production capacity of 150,000 metric tons.
TAPPI
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