For Immediate Release: 

RICHMOND, BC – Paper Excellence announced today that it plans to invest over $13 million at its Port Alberni paper mill in British Columbia. This decision reflects our continued confidence in the strategy to invest in the forest sector of British Columbia. 

The Port Alberni mill has initiated diversifying into unique food grade papers used by restaurants and food preparation enterprises. This project takes that winning approach to a new level by removing key production bottlenecks in the mill. It will ultimately upgrade both of Port Alberni’s paper machines to make food grades at the same time. 

“With help from the leadership of B.C.’s government, we are very excited to invest in a winning project like this at Port Alberni; a mill that supports over 300 jobs.” said Patrick Corriveau, VP Paper and Packaging at Paper Excellence. “With the mill’s best-in-class papermakers and the ability to make even more of these new food grades, we’re confident in the Port Alberni mill’s secure and long-term future.” 

“B.C. is committed to creating a competitive and sustainable forest sector through innovation and diversification,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “We welcome this investment from Paper Excellence and the jobs it supports in the Port Alberni area. A thriving and diverse forest sector with sustainable jobs is a key part of B.C.’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and beyond.” 

“Forestry has been at the heart of the economy in the Alberni Valley, on Vancouver Island, and in B.C. for generations,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “Paper Excellence’s investment in its Port Alberni mill demonstrates its confidence in the province’s forest sector and contributes to stability and security for the local families whose livelihoods depend on it.” 

Detailed engineering for the project will start shortly followed by procurement of needed equipment. Paper Excellence anticipates the Port Alberni upgrade being completed by the fourth quarter of 2021. Paper Excellence’s Port Alberni paper mill uses over 95% renewable energy to make its paper products and has reduced its carbon footprint by 83% since 1990. 

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Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing and writing, and packaging papers that operates 8 facilities in Canada producing over 3.0 million tonnes annually with a workforce of over 3,000 strong. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products. 

Media Contact: Graham Kissack, VP, EHS and Communications | media@paperexcellence.com | Mobile: (250) 732-7991