News Paper Pulp
Idled Fort Frances mill will be permanently closed

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced the permanent closure of its previously idled pulp and paper mill in Fort Frances, Ont.

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced the permanent closure of its previously idled pulp and paper mill in Fort Frances, Ont.

The company announced an extended period of market-related outage on its remaining paper machine in January. The kraft pulp mill and another paper machine have been idled since November of 2012. The mill produced commercial printing papers.

“We tried hard to find a way to reposition these assets, particularly the pulp mill. But unfortunately, due to end product markets, the mill’s operational configuration and its cost position, we’ve concluded that there was no economically viable option for the pulp and paper operations at Fort Frances,” said Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer.

Affected employees will be considered for job vacancies and opportunities at other company facilities.

Resolute says it is exploring opportunities to continue to operate the biomass boiler and electricity-producing steam turbine.