Neucel working towards restart of pulp mill
The Neucel Specialty Cellulose pulp mill in Port Alice, B.C., which has not produced pulp since March 2015, has begun discussions with the employees union, looking for ways to reduce production costs and restart the mill.
The local newspaper, the North Island Gazette, reports that Neucel requested the union re-open the collective agreement that should be in effect until Dec. 31, 2017. Neucel’s vice-president of human resources, Warren Beatty, told the newspaper the mill needs to reduce fixed costs, including wages.
Neucel produces sulphite dissolving pulp at Port Alice. Following the production curtailment last year, it was reported that the mill would need equipment upgrades if it did restart.
