Chachoengsao, Thailand 13 February 2015 -- Pulp production in Alizay will not restart before 2016. The French department of Eure announced that on 9 February, it had sold the properties and assets needed to restart pulp production at the site to Double A for an amount of €4.23m. The Thai manufacturer, who already produces uncoated fine paper and recycled paper in Alizay, expects to start producing pulp in the middle of May of 2016, according to the department. The company had announced plans to restart pulp production in late 2013. The initial target date for start-up was the first half of 2015.

Double A has been producing paper in Alizay since June 2013. The company produces woodfree uncoated as well as recycled paper at the mill with an annual capacity of 300,000 t. The pulp needed for paper production is currently being shipped from Double A mills in Thailand.

The department reported that Double A had earmarked an investment of €10m for the restart of pulp production. The project would create new jobs and increase the site's number of employees to over 300, it added. The pulp line which was closed down by former owner Metsä Board in 2010 used to produce mixed hardwood pulp with an annual capacity of 300,000 tpy.