UPM to close Miramichi pulp mill to boost long-term viability of coated paper mill

The decision to close Miramichi pulp mill by UPM to enhance its long-term viability of coated paper mill is discussed. The Miramichi kraft pulp mill has the capacity to produce 240,000 mpty of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) and feeds two paper machines with cpacity to produce 450,000 mtpy of lightweight coated mechanical paper. The closure of the Miramichi kraft pulp mill will follow Parsons & Whittemore's closure of its 263,000 mtpy northern bleached hardwood kraft pulp mill in Nackawic, N.B. UPM is also planning to purchase NBSK market pulp to supply the Miramichi paper mill and to make the company the largest North American open market buyers of NBSK.