Canfor to close Northwood NBSK pulp mill by year-end after shutting Fox Creek sawmill
Canfor will close its Northwood NBSK pulp mill in Prince George, British Columbia, by the end of 2026, after winding down its Fox Creek sawmill in Alberta in September; both permanent closures were announced during the third quarter and cost a combined USD 59.5m (CAD 83.1m) in impairments and closure costs. Canfor reported a Q3 2026 net loss of USD 63.1m (CAD 88.2m) on sales of USD 919.7m (CAD 1,284.8m), as weaker lumber results outweighed an improvement in pulp and paper, and completed its acquisition of PinkWood, adding engineered wood products capacity.
Why this mattersNorthwood's closure takes a British Columbia NBSK mill out of North American softwood pulp supply, while Fox Creek extends Canfor's sawmill cuts as lumber results weaken.
- Northwood NBSK pulp mill in Prince George, BC, is expected to close by year-end 2026, with USD 7.2m (CAD 10.0m) of impairments and USD 26.3m (CAD 36.7m) of restructuring and closure costs.
- Fox Creek sawmill in Alberta wound down in September 2026, with USD 22.8m (CAD 31.8m) of write-downs and impairments and USD 3.3m (CAD 4.6m) of restructuring and closure costs.
- Q3 2026 net loss attributable to shareholders was USD 63.1m (CAD 88.2m), or USD 0.54 (CAD 0.75) per share, against USD 13.2m (CAD 18.5m) in Q2.
- Q3 sales were USD 919.7m (CAD 1,284.8m); adjusted EBITDA was USD 70.2m (CAD 98.1m), down from USD 85.6m (CAD 119.6m) in Q2.
- Lumber posted a Q3 operating loss of USD 14.2m (CAD 19.9m), against a Q2 operating profit of USD 29.5m (CAD 41.2m).
- Canfor completed the acquisition of PinkWood, expanding its engineered wood products capacity.
Sources
papnews.com