Paper division closure and how it might effect Catalyst in Powell RIver

Last week’s sudden announcement that Paper Excellence is shutting down the paper division at its Mill on the lower Sunshine Coast has a lot of people wondering what’s next… locally and across the industry.

Kevin Mason is with ERA Forest Products Research. He says the generally weak market that hit Paper Excellence is affecting every producer.

But, he says it’s possible Catalyst Paper, which has mills in Crofton, Port Alberni and Powell River could benefit.

 

Mason also points out the other factor in the Sunshine Coast closure – water supply – is emerging as an issue across drought-hit western North American