Paper machine #6 in Fort Frances is still operating

There has been good news in Fort Frances, Ontario.

AbitibiBowater's paper machine #6 has been operating longer than expected to due to more customer orders.

“When we started up right after Labour Day there, on Sept. 8, we expected to maybe get through to the middle of October, the end of October at the very latest. Then we got extended into November, and now we’ve been asked basically to run until Dec. 19. There’s been a bit of an uptick in that grade we’re producing, and so we’re doing what we can to help out, to satisfy customer needs.”

~ mill manager John Harrison.

Paper machine #6 is currently producing SCB grade - a grade that is one step down from SCA (glossy) grade that #6 has produced for years. SCB paper is often used for flyers.

#6 was idled back in March due to market conditions, and then was restarted temporarily in July to run tests on producing different types of paper.

Harrison said the mill is working on engineering plans to upgrade machine #5 that are scheduled to begin in April. The upgrades include replacing the framing on the press section that was originally installed in 1975 at a cost of $4.6 million.

The biomass boiler at the Fort Frances site is still being fine-tuned, but progress is being made. Harrison said last month the biomass burner produced 82% of the steam required for the mill.

Source:

#6 likely to keep running up to Dec. 19 (Fort Frances Times)