Smurfit Westrock to close paper machine at Quebec mill

Amid ongoing market challenges, Smurfit Westrock announced Feb. 9 plans to permanently close one of the paper machines at its mill in La Tuque, Quebec.

According to Smurfit Westrock, which has global headquarters in Dublin and North American headquarters in Atlanta, the machine’s annual production capacity of 127,000 tons of solid bleached sulfate (SBS) has faced what the company says are scale and cost challenges, prompting the closure.

Smurfit Westrock also says the change is part of its commitment to strengthen its SBS portfolio and ensure the long-term competitiveness of its paperboard operations.

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“This was a difficult but necessary decision to align with market realities and strengthen our long-term position,” says Laurent Sellier, president and CEO of Smurfit Westrock, North America Region. “We remain committed to our people, our operations in Canada and to delivering reliable, quality service to our customers.”

The company also will close its extrusion facility in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec, which converts grades produced on the La Tuque machine. The closures impact about 30 jobs at La Tuque and 60 jobs at Pointe-aux-Trembles.