A Canadian coalition of local managers, unionized workers and First Nations is pursuing the purchase of the Témiscaming, Quebec, mill owned by Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM), a U.S. cellulose, pulp and paperboard producer. The initiative aims to secure the mill’s future and protect jobs across the region, according to Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union.
Production stopped on October 4, 2026, leaving approximately 300 workers off the job. A small crew remains to maintain essential services and the facility. The economic shutdown was initially scheduled for mid-September before being postponed to early October.
RYAM previously explored selling the site’s paperboard and high-yield pulp assets. In October 2023, it engaged financial adviser Houlihan Lokey to examine a potential sale, with debt reduction among its stated objectives.
Earlier in 2026, RYAM decided to permanently cease dissolving wood pulp production at the site’s high-purity cellulose plant. That decision preceded the October shutdown of the remaining operations.
The coalition aims to develop a locally driven solution and explore the requirements for restarting operations. Workers’ experience will inform that effort, with the goal of preserving employment opportunities for future generations in Témiscaming.
The initiative follows an earlier community effort to reopen the mill. After Canadian International Paper closed the facility in 1972, workers, former managers and community members purchased and reopened it under the Tembec name in 1973.
The coalition’s partners will share further details on next steps as discussions progress. Work remains on developing a plan to restart operations.