Despite its vast and mature forests, Saskatchewan forestlands have been under-utilized. That is until now. Over the past several weeks, the province has announced a reallocation of its forest resources, primarily located north of Saskatoon, and that will result in sizeable forest industry investments. Those forestland reallocations are expected, over the next two years, to lead to over a $1 billion dollars (CAD) in new investments in Saskatchewan’s forest industry.
News in mill capacity changes
Teal Jones to Build New Sawmill Facility in Bossier Parish, Louisiana
Teal Jones, a 70-year-old, family-owned company based in British Columbia, Canada, today announced that the company is looking forward to bringing a $110.5 million Southern Yellow Pine lumber mill to Bossier Parish, Louisiana. To become a reality, the company is pursuing a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with local taxing entities. Teal Jones expects to source southern yellow pine timber from their landowner partners in this project, as well as other regional suppliers.
Canfor Corporation Announces Purchase of Millar Western Forest Products’ Alberta Assets
Canfor Corporation on Thursday (12-16-21) announced it has entered into an agreement with Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. to acquire the Millar’s solid wood operations located in Alberta, Canada, and associated tenure for $420 million (CAD), which includes $56 million in working capital. Millar Western’s solid wood operations will add 630 million board feet of production capacity.
Bid Group Announces Investment to Expand Mirabel, Quebec Facility
Bid Group has announced that it plans to invest over $1.5 million (CAD) at its existing facility in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. The investment will grow the company’s production capacity by over 50% and will add 5,000 square feet to its existing footprint. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2022.
Timberline Announces $63 Million Investment in Bell Bay Operation
Timberlink, one of Australia’s leading national timber manufactures and distributors, has announced that it is investing $63 million (AUD) in its Bell Bay operation as part of a plan to substantially increase its structural timber output. When completed the project is expected to increase the timber manufactured at the site by more than 50 percent, providing material for an estimated 7000 new houses.
PacBio to Close Wood Pellet Plant in Prince George, BC
Pacific BioEnergy Corporation (PacBio) announced today (12-15-21) that it intends to permanently close their wood pellet plant located in Prince George, B.C. The company says that after satisfying certain closing conditions, which is expected by the end of 2021, certain assets owned by PacBio will be assigned to Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. (part of the Drax Group).
Resolute Forest Products Expands Operations at Two Arkansas Sawmills
With the acquisition of two sawmills in 2020 — in El Dorado and Glenwood, Arkansas — Resolute Forest Products has invested through a combined capital program over $28 million and added more than 160 new jobs over the past two years.
Egger Wood Products Announces $50 Million Investment in Their Davidson County, NC Facility
Egger Wood Products, an Austrian-based manufacturer of wood-based materials, announced on Thursday (12-2-21) that it intends to invest $50 million in additional equipment for its Davidson County, North Carolina facility. Eggers has 20 plants worldwide, but the plant located in Linwood, NC is its first North American facility.
Paper Excellence’s Powell River, B.C. Catalyst Mill to Shutdown Indefinitely
In a news release issued today (12-2-21), Paper Excellence said that the status of its Catalyst mill located in Powell River, B.C. was being changed from a temporary curtailment (announced two weeks ago) to an indefinite shutdown, as of today. Paper Excellence also stated that they intended to look for alternative uses for the facility and its adjacent land.
Drax Group Announces Construction is Underway on its Second Satellite Pellet Plant in Arkansas
The Drax Group announced on Friday (9-17-21) that construction is underway on the second of three planned satellite pellet plants to be built in Arkansas. The move is part of a $40 million investment by Drax in the state.