Millar Western Indefinitely Idles 375k-Tonne BC Pulp Mill
Paper Recycling | 2026-11-11 05:52:56
Millar Western plans to wind down remaining mill operations over the coming weeks while retaining the possibility of restarting the facility in the future.
By Paul Ploumis
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.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
Ontario Provides $5.1 Million for Espanola Pulp Mill Restart
POLL
What is the primary reason behind Millar Western's decision to indefinitely suspend its Quesnel River Pulp mill operations?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Millar Western indefinitely suspending operations at its Quesnel River Pulp mill?
Millar Western cited challenging market conditions and limited access to economically viable fibre supplies as the primary reasons for the indefinite suspension. The company stated that it had evaluated all possible alternatives but determined that continuing operations under the prevailing conditions was not commercially viable.
- How many jobs could be affected by the Quesnel River Pulp mill shutdown?
Approximately 90 jobs are potentially at risk following the indefinite curtailment. Millar Western has committed to providing affected employees with severance payments, continued benefits and employment assistance. It will also explore opportunities for transferring employees to vacancies at its other facilities.
- How does the shutdown reflect the broader challenges facing British Columbia's pulp industry?
The indefinite suspension adds to a series of operational setbacks across British Columbia's pulp sector. Similar shutdowns at Canfor's Northwood and Domtar's Howe Sound facilities indicate growing pressure on regional pulp producers amid difficult market conditions and fibre supply constraints. Millar Western's decision further highlights the challenges facing the province's forest products industry.
