Paper Excellence Announced Restart of Paper Machine at Powell River Mill

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Richmond, B.C.-based Paper Excellence, with operations in Canada and Brazil, announced its decision to restart an idled paper machine at the Catalyst Paper Powell River paper mill. The restart is scheduled for early-May this year, said the company press release.

According to the company, the planned restart reflects the recent recovery in global paper markets. It demonstrates the company’s long term commitment to the Powell River facility. The startup of the paper machine is expected to bring back nearly 200 jobs.

The company had curtailed operations of PM No.11 following an external malware attack last spring. The software system used for filing paper orders at the mill had stopped functioning. The dramatic decline in global paper demand following the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic too impacted the mill’s production, which ultimately resulted in extended curtailment of operations.

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Patrick Corriveau, Vice President of Paper and Packaging at Paper Excellence noted that the restart of the paper machine is a long-awaited good news for Powell River. He appreciated the patience shown by its employees. The company remains hopeful that improved global paper markets will enable it to restart the mill’s second paper machine later during the year, he added.