Nordic Kraft to restart pulp mill in Quebec

Photo: Chantiers Chibougamau

The idled Lebel-sur-Quévillon pulp mill in Canada will restart operation again. Nordic Kraft will receive state aid (around CAD138m) for the project.

Once started-up, the mill will produce softwood kraft pulp with a capacity of 300,000 tpy. The start-up is scheduled for the first half of 2020.

In 2018, family business Chantiers Chibougamau finalized the acquisition of the Lebel-sur-Quévillon kraft pulp mill and its energy generation equipment and land.

Although the mill closed over a decade ago, its strategic production equipment is still in excellent condition, according to the company. The global market for kraft pulp has been transformed in recent years, offering significant prospects for decades-long growth.

his change is due to the increased consumption of tissue paper in Asia; global interest in consumer products, food and beverages in eco-friendly cardboard packaging and cups; and the emergence of e-commerce, which requires individual items to be shipped in secure packaging. All these products require the kind of kraft pulp that will be produced in Lebel-sur-Quévillon.