One of the region's pulp mills is closing down.

Tembec announced Tuesday it was powering down its mill in Chetwynd starting Sept. 16.

“The high-yield pulp market has continued to soften over the past year. At today’s price levels, it is virtually impossible to maintain viable operations given the current cost structure of the Chetwynd mill,” stated Chris Black, a senior official with Montreal-based Tembec. “This is a difficult decision that we have not taken lightly since it has an impact on employees and on the region. We will continue to monitor the market and, in due course, reassess the situation accordingly."

High-yield pulp is used in printing and writing papers, paperboard as well as tissue and towelling. Tembec is the world’s leading producer of high-yield pulp.

"Pulp produced at the Chetwynd mill is shipped to primarily Asia," said Black. "A total of 115 employees are currently employed at the Chetwynd mill, which was built in 1990 and has an annual production capacity of 240,000 tonnes. Tembec purchased the mill in 2002."