$40-Million Modernization of Irving Mills Is Underway in Saint John
SAINT JOHN – The $40-million modernization of the Irving Pulp & Paper and Irving Tissue mills is underway on the city’s west side, the vice-president of the Irving Pulp and Paper Division announced in press release Tuesday.
Mark Mosher says the mills create jobs and feed supply chains across North America.
“The pulp mill is the heart of our forest products value chain – from seed to store shelf – sustaining over 9,600 direct, indirect, and induced jobs across New Brunswick,” said Mosher. “Every year we are growing more wood than we harvest. This wood goes to our sawmills. Chips from sawmills across the region are the primary ingredient for the pulp mill here in Saint John.
“The pulp is then used to produce quality tissue in Saint John, Dieppe, Toronto, New York and in 2019, Macon, Georgia. The work we are doing will improve the quality and volume of tissue made for Canada’s top top brands– Royale and Majesta as well Scotties in U.S.”
The company says the new investment will reap environmental benefits for a pulp mill is already 95 per cent green energy. The upgrades will improve energy use and further reduce the site’s carbon footprint.
The New Brunswick companies working on the upgrades account for $29-million of the $40-million investment, says Mosher.
“New Brunswick is home and our owners are focused on a strong future for these mills,” said Mosher. “We’re really excited about what this modernization means for our employees, Saint John and our many suppliers across the province.”
The pulp mill will be shut down completely during the modernization project. The tissue mill will be upgraded in stages, so it will remain operational.
There will be no layoffs in the upgrade process, which is scheduled to be completed May 14.