July will see shovels in the ground as the Sawmills Division of J.D. Irving, Limited begins a long-awaited investment at Doaktown. The $35 million project will see the mill’s footprint grow by 14,000 square feet bringing together the sawmill, planer mill and value added centre under one roof. Currently the sawmill is located on the other side of the road. New, state-of-the-art technology will be installed throughout the lumber production process. The company is targeting spring 2021 for the commissioning and start-up of the new facility.

According to the October 2017 Printing-Writing Monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased seven percent in October compared to October 2016. Shipments of uncoated free sheet managed a year-over-year increase but this was more than offset by decreases in the remaining three major printing-writing grades. U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers also decreased, down nine percent in October. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased nine percent from September 2017. •October uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments increased year-over-year for the second time this year. Imports of UFS decreased by 12 percent year-over-year in September – the fourth consecutive decrease of 12 percent or more. Meanwhile, exports of UFS papers continue to climb, up 26 percent year-over-year in September, the fifth consecutive increase of 17 percent or higher. •Recent mill shuts leave coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments down year-over-year. This is a significant change from last month’s peak for the year, as two recent mill shuts factor in to the decline this month. U.S. imports of CFS papers decreased 17 percent year-over-year in September, the third consecutive year-over-year decline. Meanwhile, exports of CFS papers increased 4 percent year-over-year in September, the seventh increase in the past nine months. •Coated mechanical (CM) paper shipments declined year-over-year in October for the fifth consecutive month. Imports of CM increased in September, up 23 percent compared to September 2016. Exports of CM decreased, down 9 percent in September to 24,200 tons – the lowest level in more than five years. •Shipments of uncoated mechanical (UM) papers have declined year-over-year in every month when compared to the same month in 2016. Imports of UM decreased 13 percent year-over-year in September and exports of UM decreased 4 percent year-over-year in September.

The alternative to the company's proposal will likely lead to bankruptcy at the parent company Norske Skogindustier ASA but Norske Skog AS and the mills will continue operations as normal under new ownership. Norske Skog group has launched a new recapitalisiation proposal. According to the parent company Norske Skogindustrier ASA, this proposal provides a final opportunity to reach a consensual solution among all bondholders and shareholders. Among the the key terms of the proposed recapitalisation transaction is the conversion into equity of all outstanding, secured and unsecured bond debt, resulting in secured note holders acquiring 94% equity ownership in Norske Skogindustrier ASA. Click Read More below for more of the story.