Paper & Pulp Mills
Canfor to shut Northwood pulp mill by year-end as pulp losses deepen Alongside its Q2 results, Canfor confirmed the closure of the Northwood pulp mill in Prince George, B.C. by year-end, removing about 300,000 tonnes of NBSK capacity at an estimated cost of $30 million; the pulp segment's adjusted loss widened to $19.8 million as production fell 17% and NBSK prices to China averaged US$658 per tonne. Source: Wood Central
Ence returns to profit in Q2 on pulp price recovery Spanish pulp producer Ence posted €0.5 million of net income and €27 million EBITDA for the second quarter, helped by recovering pulp prices and cost reductions from its efficiency program. Source: Lesprom
Forestry & Timber
Canfor lumber swings back to profit but confirms more sawmill exits Canfor's lumber segment swung to a $41.2 million operating profit from a $43.7 million Q1 loss on $1.53 billion in sales, while the company confirmed permanent closures of the Fox Creek sawmill in Alberta (120 million board feet, ~$38 million closure cost) and the Urshult and Orrefors mills in Sweden (265,000 m³ of capacity, 75 positions). Source: Wood Central
Brazil wood product prices hit 15-month high Brazilian wood product producer prices rose 1.5% month-over-month in June to their highest level in 15 months, up 1.7% year-over-year. Source: Lesprom
Co-generation at Mills
Cartiera del Vignaletto completes cogeneration upgrade at Zevio tissue mill The Italian tissue maker upgraded the cogeneration plant and air systems at its Zevio facility so the unit now supplies electrical power to both machines and recovers exhaust heat for steam generation, improving energy efficiency across the PM4 and PM5 lines. Source: Lesprom
Wood Pellets
Drax pellet output falls 10% in H1 as Canadian fibre market tightens Update: Drax's pellet-segment adjusted EBITDA fell 14% to £64 million in the first half on limited fibre availability in Canada. Sources: Lesprom · Bioenergy Insight