FORT MILL, South Carolina – September 6, 2023 – Domtar Corporation, a part of the Paper
Excellence Group, today announced it will indefinitely idle the pulp and paper operations at its
Espanola, Ontario, facility for an expected period greater than one year.
The decision will result in a curtailment of Domtar’s annual pulp production by approximately
280,000 air-dried metric tons of northern bleached softwood kraft pulp and approximately
69,000 tons of specialty paper. The announcement will affect approximately 450 employees.
“The Espanola mill has been challenged for some time now,” said Steve Henry, Domtar paper
and packaging president. “We have worked diligently to find a viable path forward for the
operation including offering it for sale. Employees affected by this change have earned our
appreciation and we thank them for their contributions. We also want to thank federal and
provincial officials for their efforts.”
The mill will be idled after years of ongoing operating losses and high costs associated with
maintaining and operating the facility. The pulp mill will shut down in early October and the
paper machines will shut down by early November.
Domtar will take appropriate measures to assist employees affected by this decision in
accordance with the collective agreement, Domtar policy and legislation. The mill will be idled
in a safe and environmentally sound manner that will facilitate a possible sale or future restart.
Submit News Tip
