Paper Excellence’s Catalyst – Crofton Pulp and Paper Mill to Cease Production in July

My Cowichan Valley Now.com reported on Tuesday (7-4-23), that the Catalyst – Crofton pulp mill has ceased production of paper or pulp for the entire month of July.

According to Graham Kissack, VP of Environmental, Health and Safety, and Corporate Communications for the mill’s owner Paper Excellence, the 30-day shutdown began on Friday June 30^th.  Kissack cited the reason for the shutdown as low global demand for pulp and paper right now and noted that its Crofton operation is not alone in feeling the slowdown.

The shutdown, Kissack says, will impact approximately 450 workers, but the company is looking at how many can remain at the mill for maintenance, while others, he said, may opt to take vacation time during July.

Kissack added that the project launched earlier in the year to covert a Crofton mill production line to producing a stronger, water-resistant paper product to replace single-use plastics will not be impacted by the month-long shutdown.