Irving Pulp and Paper Ltd. seeks approval for a US$1.1 billion upgrade to its west side pulp mill, aiming to enhance production capacity and energy efficiency. The project involves constructing a new 20-storey boiler building within four years, replacing the current 1970s boiler to boost pulp output by 65% and generate sufficient energy to operate independently of external power sources, according to Mark Mosher, vice-president of Irving Pulp and Paper.
Mosher noted that the mill has been undergoing gradual upgrades for years, including a significant 1990s improvement to reduce odor and emissions. The new equipment is expected to further decrease odor and emissions per ton of pulp produced.
This proposed upgrade follows the establishment of a new water treatment facility, initiated in 2022, addressing environmental concerns after the company was convicted of violating federal pollution laws by spilling effluent into the St. John River.
The increased output would result in two trains departing from the pulp mill daily, instead of one, and a higher volume of incoming wood chips. “Today we bring in about a third of our raw materials by rail and in the future, we want to substantially increase that and bring the majority of it in by rail”, Mosher stated.
Irving Pulp and Paper hosted an open house in Saint John this week to present the plan to residents and gather feedback. The company has submitted its environmental impact assessment report and is awaiting approval.
While the exact timeline remains uncertain, Mosher mentioned that if approved, construction could commence in late spring 2025. “We would hope to be done construction and in operation by late 2028”, he said. The four-year construction period would involve concrete pouring, excavation, and steel structure assembly.
“The majority of the traffic would be construction workers coming in and out”, Mosher explained, adding that most large equipment would be delivered by barge, with steel transported via a private road.
The current boiler, situated closest to the water at the pinch point of Reversing Falls and producing the largest visible plume, will be decommissioned. The new building is designed to have no visible plume.
