News Operations & Management Paper Workforce
Catalyst Crofton mill’s paper operations indefinitely curtailed, announces Paper Excellence

Paper Excellence announced that paper operations at its Catalyst Crofton facility will be indefinitely curtailed from early December 2022.

The company shared that the paper markets in China that the mill served have significantly weakened. In addition, there have been substantial cost escalations for chemicals, energy and wood fibre used at Crofton.  The intersection of these pressures has materially impacted the financial viability of the paper operation.

Paper Excellence expects to operate Crofton’s paper machines for 60 days following the curtailment announcement on October 6. The company will work closely with both unions as this decision affects about 80 Unifor employees and 70 PPWC employees.

The company hopes to minimize the impact through union discussions that will consider secondments, utilization of earned time off and employment insurance.  The mill’s pulp operations will continue production during the paper curtailment.

Paper Excellence will be reaching out to assist customers with this transition and will continue to supply them with production from its Port Alberni mill where possible. In 2021, the company invested in repurposing its Port Alberni paper machines to manufacture food and packaging grades.

Paper Excellence is working with both provincial and federal governments while it conducts studies at the Crofton facility to consider accelerating its conversion into natural food and packaging grades.