Fortress Paper investing $19.7M in Quebec dissolving pulp mill
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
Company aims to make better use of birch trees in mixed forests around Thurso, Que. with mill expansion project
VANCOUVER—Fortress Paper Ltd. is looking to take greater advantage of “underutilized” Canadian birch trees by launching a $19.7 million project at its specialty cellulose mill in Thurso, Que.
The project will allow the B.C.-headquartered pulp and paper company to use birch tree to produce dissolving pulp—a product also known as specialty cellulose—that’s used in the manufacture of textile fibres, acetate, cellophane and a number of chemical additives. The western Quebec mill’s new capabilities will also help it make better use of the mixed forests in the surrounding region between Ottawa and Montreal.
The federal government is contributing $9 million toward the project, while Fortress is footing the rest of the bill.
The company expects to complete the project in 2018 and ramp up production through 2019.
