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Canfor Pulp Products pauses production at BC pulp mill

Canfor Pulp Products is curtailing production at its Northwood pulp mill in British Columbia for three weeks in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

As a result, the company is postponing the planned extended spring maintenance shut the mill until later this year, which would have occurred during the curtailment period.

This will result in a reduction of approximately 35,000 tonnes of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp production.

Canfor Pulp is also reducing its planned capital expenditures for 2020 by $15 million to $25 million, representing a $78 million decrease from 2019, by deferring planned projects and suspending in-progress initiatives that can be paused without significant impact.

In a statement, the company says it will continue to monitor the situation and make further adjustments to operations if necessary.

“Our top priority is working to protect the safety and well-being of our employees,” says Don Kayne, Canfor Pulp chief executive officer.

“At the same time, we are responding to volatility in the marketplace and reduced fibre availability, and taking necessary steps to protect the business.”

Canfor is also curtailing or reducing capacity at its Canadian, U.S. and European sawmill operations.