Tembec said Tuesday that it will indefinitely idle its high-yield pulp mill located in Chetwynd, British Columbia, as of September 16, due to market related conditions.

High-yield pulp is used in printing and writing papers, paperboard as well as tissue and towelling.

Chris Black, Tembec Executive Vice President and President of the Paper and Paper Pulp Group, said, "The high-yield pulp market has continued to soften over the past year. At today's price levels, it is virtually impossible to maintain viable operations given the current cost structure of the Chetwynd mill."

Black added that this was a difficult decision and that the company has not taken it lightly since it has an impact on employees and on the region.

The Chetwynd mill was built in 1990 and has an annual production capacity of 240,000 tonnes. A total of 115 employees are currently employed at the mill. The pulp produced at the Chetwynd mill is shipped to primarily Asia.