Kruger has announced a sweeping diversification plan to secure the future of its Corner Brook Pulp and Paper operations, proposing an investment of up to $700 million to transform the mill into a modernized, sustainable manufacturing hub.
The ambitious project—pending alignment with key stakeholders—aims to position the facility as one of the most competitive in the pulp and paper industry. In addition to modernizing production lines, Kruger plans to build a new pulp storage facility, upgrade site infrastructure, improve chip handling systems, and implement a biomass drying and unloading operation for its cogeneration plant.
The plan also includes enhancements to the Deer Lake and Watsons Pond hydroelectric assets to boost energy efficiency and capacity, alongside the construction of a private wind farm to help power the revamped facility. These efforts would not only improve the site’s environmental performance but also support Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro’s broader energy needs.
Kruger emphasized that the investment would sustain jobs at the Corner Brook site and within the provincial forestry sector, while also creating significant employment during the construction phase. The proposal is seen as a catalyst for the expansion of local sawmills and the overall modernization of Newfoundland’s forest and harvesting industries.
Despite ongoing global market challenges, Kruger remains confident in the long-term viability of the Corner Brook site. However, the company stresses that swift coordination with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, NL Hydro, First Nations, sawmill partners, municipalities, and labour representatives is essential to move forward.
“This investment reflects our continued commitment to the forest industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and our confidence in the future of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper,” said the company.
Kruger is currently in discussions with the provincial government to advance the proposal.
Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Montréal, Kruger Inc. is a family-owned company operating across North America in tissue products, publication papers, packaging, recycling, and renewable energy. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Kruger owns and operates Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited, one of the province’s largest private employers and a key player in the regional forest sector.
