Paper Excellence says it will spend $13 million to upgrade and streamline production at its Port Alberni paper mill.
The project, expected to be completed by late next year, will improve efficiency and upgrade both of the mill鈥檚 paper machines to make food-grade paper used by restaurants and food-preparation companies.
鈥淲ith the mill鈥檚 best-in-class papermakers and the ability to make even more of these new food grades, we鈥檙e confident in the Port Alberni mill鈥檚 secure and long-term future,鈥� said Paper Excellence鈥檚 Patrick Corriveau.
Engineering for the project is expected to start soon, at which point Paper Excellence will purchase the needed equipment.
The mill employs about 300 people.
It鈥檚 the second major investment Paper Excellence has announced in the last few weeks. It recently decided to bring back online its third machine and 58 workers at its Crofton mill early in January, based on strong performances from the mill鈥檚 paper sales force and operations.
The Crofton mill has also been making inroads with new food packaging paper, while maintaining its traditional printing and writing-grade products.
The mill鈥檚 third machine was curtailed in the spring due to the combined impact of an external malware attack, a fibre shortage, the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced global paper demand.
That mill employs about 560 people.
