The Neucel Specialty Cellulose pulp mill in Port Alice, British Columbia, has been idled since March 2015. It has now started discussions with the employees union, looking for ways to reduce production costs and restart the mill, according to local media reports.
Neucel reportedly 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 North Island Gazette the mill needs to reduce fixed costs, including wages.
Neucel manufactures sulphite dissolving pulp at Port Alice. Following the production shut down last year, it was reported that the mill would need equipment upgrades if it did restart.
