Millar Western indefinitely curtails Quesnel River pulp mill

Millar Western has turned the temporary shutdown of its Quesnel River Pulp mill in British Columbia, announced in August, into an indefinite curtailment. The 375,000-tonne-a-year softwood pulp mill, idle since 4 September, will undergo an orderly wind-down over several weeks, affecting about 90 workers, with executive chair and CEO Karl Meyers citing weak markets and fibre supply economics.

Why this mattersA 375,000-tonne softwood pulp mill leaving the market tightens North American pulp supply and underscores pressure on Canadian producers from costs and trade barriers.

• Quesnel River Pulp has annual softwood pulp capacity of 375,000 tonnes.
• The mill has been idle since 4 September 2026; a planned 1 November restart was deferred to 1 December before the indefinite curtailment.
• Approximately 90 workers are affected.
• Atlas Holdings acquired Quesnel River Pulp and a Slave Lake operation from West Fraser in 2024, including a long-term fibre-supply agreement.
• The original August temporary shutdown cited persistent market difficulties and tariffs affecting Chinese exports.
• Millar Western must keep the effluent system operational for twelve months or until an alternative is agreed.

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