ORGANIZATION: NEW INSTITUTIONTROIS-RIVIRES, QC – To strengthen the position of the Trois-Rivires and Mauricie region in Quebec as the French-speaking center of excellence in pulp and paper in North …
ORGANIZATION: NEW INSTITUTION
TROIS-RIVIRES, QC – To strengthen the position of the Trois-Rivires and Mauricie region in Quebec as the French-speaking center of excellence in pulp and paper in North America, the Government of Canada invested $23.5 million in the establishment of the Centre intgr en ptes et papiers (CIPP) in Trois-Rivires.
SHUTDOWN: MINAS BASIN CLOSURE
HANTSPORT, NS – Minas Basin Pulp and Power is shutting down a 75-year-old heavy-weight recycled linerboard machine at its mill in Hantsport, NS, in December.
The closure of PM1, which produces coreboard and bristol grades, will boost up the mill’s remaining lightweight liner machine.
DONATION: HAY WIRED!
MONTREAL, QC – Norampac donated $10,000 to the Hay West campaign initiative, aimed at helping farmers facing a severe drought situation in Western Canada.
Norampac says the donation represents not only a financial aid to agriculture in this country, but also sends a message of solidarity to its clients and employees in the drought-stricken areas.
ACQUISITION: CASCADES RECYCLES PLANT
MONTREAL, QC – Cascades Inc. has purchased Rock-Tenn Recycling Company’s wastepaper recovery plant in Montreal, QC.
The acquisition of the 25,000 tonnes/year plant includes all associated collection contracts as well as certain other assets.
CLOSURE: SERIES OF SHUTDOWNS, LAY OFFS
STURGEON FALLS, ON – Weyerhaeuser is saying goodbye to its 100-year-old recycled corrugating medium mill in Sturgeon Falls, ON, as well as its sheeting operations at its uncoated white paper mill in Luke, MD.
The former MacMillan Bloedel one-machine mill in Sturgeon Falls will be permanently shut down by December, cutting 140 jobs and eliminating 100,000 tons of capacity.
Weyerhaeuser also announced plans to cut 70 jobs at its operations in Grand Prairie, AB, and consolidate its operations in Chillicothe, OH, affecting 100 jobs.
UNION: UNION DEMANDS
PRINCE RUPERT, BC – The union representing Skeena Cellulose Inc. workers is asking for 30% ownership of the company as part of the deal to reopen the pulp mill.
The union asked Skeena Cellulose owner, NWBC Timber and Pulp Ltd., for a $3,000 signing bonus for each member who was on the payroll on January 21, 2001.
Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada, Local 4, say the basis for any agreement would continue to be the old collective bargaining agreement.
INVESTIGATION; SUSPICIOUS FIRES
NANAIMO, BC – Pope and Talbot announced it is beefing up security at the Harmac mill in Nanaimo, BC, after four suspicious fires hit in just a span of one month.
Both the RCMP and city fire officials got involved after four serious fires occurred in rapid succession in May and June. Harmac now patrols its abandoned buildings more often, after the old wood room was razed by fire. Railings were also installed to prevent access to the abandoned buildings. Access to the unused scow dock was also limited.
Hog piles are being rotated, to prevent spontaneous combustion from bacterial decomposition, since two of the fires started at the massive piles of hog fuel. Sprinkle systems even in old, unused buildings are well maintained and operational now.
ACQUISITION: TEMBEC BUYS
MONTREAL, QC – Tembec Inc. acquired the assets of Louisiana-Pacific Canada Pulp Co., a high yield pulp mill in Chetwynd, BC, and Louisiana-Pacific Ltd.
The mill, which was built in 1990 for $260 million, has been idled since April 2001. Tembec expects to restart the mill by January 2003.
SHUTDOWNS: 2.5M TONS & 4,800 JOBS LOST
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Forestweb reports in its web site that paper mill and machine shutdowns in North America claim 2.5 million tons and more than 4,800 jobs in 2002 so far.
Forestweb has tracked a total of 21 mill and machine shutdowns in 2002, compared to more than 50 shutdowns in 2001. The web site’s 1999-2002 shutdown summary reported closures at 121 mills, claiming 13.5 million tons of capacity and more than 19,000 jobs.
FORESTRY: CANFOR’S CERTIFICATION
VANCOUVER, BC – Canadian Forest Products Ltd. got the certification of 3.18 million hectares of forest operations in the Prince George and Quesnel Timber Supply Areas and 180,000 hectares included in Tree Farm Licence 30 near Prince George to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard of sustainable forestry. The certification follows a successful third-party audit by KPMG Performance Registrar Inc. This represents the first SFI certification for Canfor and the largest, by area, in Canada.
POLLUTION: DOMTAR FISH KILL
WOODLAND, ME – Woodland locals are upset with Domtar’s public handling of a black liquor spill at its pulp and paper mill in this Maine town.
The local newspaper reported that more than 15,000 gallons of black liquor spilled into the St. Croix River, the surrounding area, or its own wastewater treatment system, killing about 1,700 fishes. While the mill immediately notified state authorities, no public announcement were made until the Bangor Daily newspaper inquired 10 days after the spill.
No employees were injured as a result of the spill.
AWARDS: MILLS HONORED
AUGUSTA, ME – Three mills were awarded the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence” in Maine.
International Paper’s Androscoggin mill in Jay; Georgia-Pacific Corp. in Old Town; Sappi Fine Paper in Somerset were recognized for their outstanding efforts that have helped make Maine’s environment and workplaces cleaner and safer.
International Paper, Bucksport, SAPPI Fine Paper, Somerset, and Fairchild Semiconductor (South Portland), have reduced use and production of toxic materials and hazardous wastes by over 842,356 pounds.
LEGALTISSUE BATTLE: P&G VS. G-P
CINCINNATI, OH – Procter & Gamble Company filed suit at the Cincinnati Federal District Court against Georgia-Pacific, alleging that a former P&G engineer hired by G-P this year is disclosing P&G trade secrets and confidential information relating to Through-Air-Drying (TAD) papermaking technology and processes.
The said manufacturing technology is used by P&G to make Bounty towels and Charmin bath tissue.
G-P replied by saying P&G never objected to the hiring in the beginning, and that G-P took appropriate steps in instructing the employee not to reveal any trade secrets. G-P even confirmed in writing to P&G that those instructions had been issued.
P&G executives are appalled that their former employee has been given the same assignment at G-P, identical to the work he did while still employed at P&G.
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