Norske Skog Canada buys Pacifica Papers

Pulp & Paper, Nov 2001

Norske Skog Canada completed its U.S. $230 million acquisition of Pacifica Papers Inc., forming North America's third-largest newsprint and groundwood specialty papers company. The newly merged company-now called Norske-- Canada-is also the largest groundwood specialty papers producer on the West Coast, with total annual newsprint capacity of approximately 872,000 mtons, directory capacity of 373,000 mtons, and groundwood specialties-including hibrites-of 377,000 mtons.

On newsprint alone, NorskeCanada becomes the fourth-largest producer in North America behind Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Bowater Inc., and Kruger Inc., with approximately a 6% share of North American newsprint capacity. In total, NorskeCanada picks up approximately 890,000 mtpy of capacity from Pacifica Papers.