Quebec’s pulp and paper industry is losing one of its historic sites. Papiers White Birch has confirmed the permanent closure of its F.F. Soucy mill in Rivière-du-Loup, ending more than 60 years of operations and resulting in the loss of 175 direct jobs.
The announcement follows several months of uncertainty. The mill had halted production in the summer of 2025 and delayed a possible restart to January 2026 an option that has now been ruled out. The company concluded that no scenario would ensure the site’s economic viability in the short or medium term, even with external assistance.
Specialized in newsprint production, the F.F. Soucy mill had been struggling against a particularly challenging market environment. Structural decline in demand, high operating costs, and significant capital investments required to modernize equipment gradually eroded prospects for restarting operations. The insolvency filing now formalizes a situation deemed unsustainable.
Beyond its industrial implications, the closure comes as a major blow to the Rivière-du-Loup community, where the mill long held a central role in the region’s economic and social fabric. The loss will affect not only employees, but also suppliers, contractors, and local businesses tied to the site’s activity.
Union representatives describe the announcement as “a decision with heavy human consequences,” coming at a particularly difficult time for affected families. Discussions are ongoing to support workers through the transition and identify available assistance programs.
While White Birch’s other Quebec facilities remain in operation, the shutdown of F.F. Soucy Rivière du Loup underscores the persistent challenges facing the North American newsprint sector. It also closes a significant chapter in the industrial history of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, leaving the community to rethink its economic future.
The F.F. Soucy mill in Rivière-du-Loup manufactured newsprint paper.
Operated by White Birch, the mill specialized in standard and improved newsprint grades, primarily supplied to newspapers and commercial printers in Canada and the United States
