Millar Western Indefinitely Idles 375k-Tonne BC Pulp Mill

Paper Recycling  |  2026-11-11 05:52:56   |   By

Millar Western plans to wind down remaining mill operations over the coming weeks while retaining the possibility of restarting the facility in the future.

Summary

  • Millar Western Announces Indefinite Shutdown of Quesnel River Pulp Mill

    Canadian forest products company Millar Western Forest Products has decided to indefinitely suspend operations at its Quesnel River Pulp mill in British Columbia. The facility, with an annual softwood pulp production capacity of 375,000 tonnes, has remained idle since September 4, with approximately 90 jobs potentially affected.

  • Market Conditions and Fibre Supply Constraints Drive Decision

    The company cited unfavourable market conditions and difficulties securing economically viable fibre supplies as the main reasons behind the decision. Despite considering several alternatives, management concluded that an indefinite curtailment was the only commercially viable option under current circumstances.

  • Shutdown Adds to Growing Pressure on British Columbia's Pulp Industry

    Millar Western will gradually wind down remaining operations while retaining the possibility of restarting the facility if market conditions improve. The decision follows similar shutdowns at Canfor's Northwood and Domtar's Howe Sound facilities, highlighting the mounting challenges facing the province's pulp manufacturing sector.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Canadian forest products company Millar Western Forest Products will indefinitely suspend operations at its Quesnel River Pulp mill in British Columbia (B.C). The decision is feared to put approximately 90 jobs at risk.

The facility, which has an annual production capacity of 375,000 tonnes of softwood pulp, has remained idle since September 4. The company had initially planned to resume operations on November 1 but subsequently extended the shutdown to December 1 before deciding against an immediate restart.

Executive Chair and CEO Karl Meyers informed employees that the company had considered all possible alternatives but arrived at a conclusion that an indefinite curtailment is the only commercially viable option under current conditions. The duration of the curtailment will depend on market recovery and access to economically viable fibre supplies.

Millar Western plans to wind down remaining mill operations over the coming weeks while retaining the possibility of restarting the facility in the future. Affected employees will receive severance payments, continued benefits and employment assistance. The company will also explore vacancies at its other facilities.

The closure represents a significant setback for Quesnel.

Millar Western, owned by U.S.-based Atlas Holdings, operates three pulp mills with combined capacity of approximately one million tonnes annually. Its latest decision follows similar shutdowns at Canfor's Northwood and Domtar's Howe Sound facilities, highlighting mounting pressures across the B.C. pulp industry.

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