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SHUTDOWN: ABITIBI TO CLOSE PAPER MACHINE AT KENORA

MONTREAL, QC — Due to market conditions and high energy costs, Abitibi-Consolidated announced its intention of permanently shutting down one of its three newsprint machines (PM 8) at its Kenora, ON, …

MONTREAL, QC — Due to market conditions and high energy costs, Abitibi-Consolidated announced its intention of permanently shutting down one of its three newsprint machines (PM 8) at its Kenora, ON, mill in June. Two others (PM 2 and PM 10) will be idled, at least until the fall. These shutdowns will permanently reduce the company’s newsprint capacity by 180 000 tonnes annually and will complete the commitment made at the time of the Donohue acquisition in February 2000 to remove 400 000 tonnes of high-cost, excess newsprint capacity.

The company also announced that, in addition to over 50 000 tonnes of market-related downtime taken in April, a further 50 000 tonnes will be taken in May and June at several of its North American newsprint mills, bringing the second quarter downtime total to over 150 000 tonnes.