Fire idles two Cascades facilities
by The Canadian Press
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire that destroyed about 14,000 tonnes of feed stock
MONTREAL—Cascades says it’s unclear when production will resume at two containerboard mills in Niagara Falls, N.Y., where a weekend fire has idled 255 employees.
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire that destroyed about 14,000 tonnes of feed stock comprised of old corrugated boxes and damaged a stand-alone warehouse at the site.
It took firefighters nearly a day to get the blaze under control, and the fire continued to burn on September 22.
An industry analyst said the two mills represents about 53 per cent of the containerboard capacity operated by Cascades’ Norampac division.
One of the mills, known as the Greenpac plant and which started production in July 2013, is owned 59 per cent by Cascades along with three partners. It employs 118 workers and makes recycled linerboard. The company’s nearby Norampac plant, which employs 137 workers, manufactures the corrugated core of boxes.
Cascades spokesman Hugo D’Amours said he didn’t know the cause of the fire or when workers would return at either plant.
Cascades Inc., along with its subsidiaries produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibres.
