Metsä Fibre is initiating a temporary production shutdown at its Joutseno pulp mill in Lappeenranta, Finland, starting today, June 9.

The shutdown is the result of low order volumes from Asia.

"Our Joutseno pulp mill will be shut down until further notice," said Ismo Nousiainen, CEO of Metsä Fibre. "This temporary production shutdown enables us to adjust our pulp inventory levels to match the low order volumes from Asia and the uncertain market situation."

The Joutseno pulp mill has the capacity to produce 690,000 tonnes per year of softwood pulp. The mill employs about 190 people.

"We are actively monitoring the development of the market situation, especially in the Asian markets, and will determine the duration of the shutdown and the timing of the mill's restart based on how the situation evolves. Wood supply and other operational conditions are well in place for resuming production." Nousiainen said.

Metsä Fibre, a member of the Metsä Group, is a leading producer of wood-based bioproducts, such as pulp, sawn timber, biochemicals and?bioenergy. The company produces pulp and bioproducts at four mills and sawn timber products at four sawmills in Finland.
 

Source: Metsä Fibre