Resolute to permanently shutter eastern Ontario paper mill
by Canadian Manufacturing Staff
Closure of Fort Frances, Ont., pulp and paper mill comes after facility was idled in November 2012
FORT FRANCES, Ont.—Resolute Forest Products Inc. says it plans to permanently shutter an eastern Ontario pulp and paper mill that has been idled since late 2012 due to challenging market conditions.
The Montreal-based company said its Fort Frances, Ont., mill, which has been idled since November 2012, will close after management found “no economically viable” way to keep the facility open.
The full closure comes after the remaining paper machine at the plant was idled in January.
Resolute said it is exploring opportunities to continue operating the biomass boiler and electricity-producing steam turbine at the plant.
Affected employees will be considered for job vacancies at other company facilities, according to Resolute.
It is currently building a new sawmill in nearby Atikokan, Ont., and a wood pellet plant at its Thunder Bay, Ont., sawmill.
The company is also in the process of upgrading its Ignace, Ont., sawmill as it gears up to restart the idled facility.
