Domtar to permanently close Crofton Mill

Domtar announced that it will permanently close operations at its Crofton, British Columbia, facility. The decision will reduce the company’s annual pulp output by approximately 380,000 air-dried metric tons of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp. The closure will affect about 350 employees.

“The Crofton mill has been challenged for some time now,” said Steve Henry, Domtar Paper and Packaging President. “Over the last 18 months, Crofton employees worked hard to reduce operational costs and they made some extraordinary gains. Unfortunately, continued poor pricing for pulp and lack of access to affordable fiber in BC necessitates the closure.”

“These decisions are made with careful consideration and we recognize the hardship this decision will have on both our employees and the Cowichan Valley community, as well as our business partners and the coastal forest sector,” Henry added. “Our primary focus is on the safety and well-being of our employees as we navigate the coming weeks.”

The site will continue to be managed in accordance with all applicable environmental and other regulatory requirements, including Domtar’s existing Environmental Management Act permits.

Domtar is assessing a range of options for the site’s future use. The company reaffirmed its commitment to its remaining mills in British Columbia and to working with the provincial government and industry partners to improve access to affordable fiber.