"Despite the best efforts of our dedicated employees, our Neenah location and assets cannot cost effectively compete in the markets that we serve", Arsen Kitch, Clearwater President and Chief Executive

Clearwater Paper Corporation has announced its official exit from the AfH market by the end of July 2021 with the indefinite closure of its 54,000tpy Neenah, Wisconsin facility.

The facility’s 290 employees will be impacted by the closure, which will see the shutting down of the site’s three tissue machines and ten converting lines.

Arsen Kitch, President and Chief Executive, said: “Despite the best efforts of our dedicated employees, our Neenah location and assets cannot cost effectively compete in the markets that we serve.

“This was a difficult decision, because it affects our people, their families and the Neenah community.”

A spokesperson for the company told TWM that it will continue to produce all four categories of retail tissue products and service its retail customers from its other locations.

The company and the union will be meeting this week, working closely to assist the impacted colleagues where possible.

Clearwater Paper acquired the Neenah mill in 2010, producing private brand tissue products for commercial and retail customers.