UPM-Kymmene, based in Helsinki, has applied to New Brunswick's Environment Department for an Environmental Impact Assessment on its plans to decommission its operations in New Brunswick.

"This should come as no surprise. UPM has made it clear that it plans to decommission its paper machines and discontinue operations in New Brunswick," the New Brunswick Business Minister Greg Byrne said at the event hosted by the city of Miramichi. "Before UPM can take any steps with regards to its site it had to file for an EIA."

UPM-Kymmene announced in December that it would not resume operations at the shut down groundwood pulp and coated paper mills in Miramichi. This put 650 people out of high-paying work, on top of 400 people who lost their jobs when the company shut down the kraft pulp mill on the paper mill site in 2004.

Last month, Timo Suutarla, general manager for UPM Miramichi, said the company wants to leave New Brunswick, including leaving its other sawmills in Blackville and Bathurst.

"UPM has said from the beginning that they would not sell to another paper maker," Business New Brunswick spokesman Ryan Donaghy said in an interview late Friday afternoon, after the minister's speech. "The government's been actively looking for other investment."

The provincial government is hoping UPM won't completely clear the site of the paper mill. If UPM would leave some infrastructure behind, then the site would have economic value and hopefully future jobs.

UPM-Kymmene is talking with possible buyers, the company said last month. Possibilities for the future of the UPM property include bio-energy from wood, according to some reports.

Source:
Grits pledge employment at shut down mill sites - Economy UPM-Kymmene needs environmental approval to decommission Miramichi operation (New Brunswick Business Journal)