PORT ALICE—Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd. (“Neucel”) renewed its commitment to the Village of Port Alice last month when it presented a cheque in the amount of $1.12 million dollars to the Village for payment of annual property taxes. This payment represents one of the largest contributions to Port Alice’s operating budget and a renewal of Neucel’s promise to support the local community.
Port Alice has a long history as a pulp and paper mill town. Whalen Pulp and Paper Mills originally built Port Alice in 1917. The pulp mill has operated at the current site for 96 years.
"The partnership between the pulp mill in Port Alice and its residents dates back almost 100 years and is still going strong," Port Alice Mayor Jan Allen said. "Neucel Specialty Cellulose has embraced that relationship and is very supportive of the local community and its families. Together we are working toward maintaining the excellent quality of life that we enjoy in Port Alice and to making this the most livable community on the Coast."
A new ownership group acquired the mill in 2005 and rebranded the operations as Neucel Specialty Cellulose Ltd. Another change in ownership in 2011 led to Neucel’s acquisition by the Fulida Group, a privately owned textile and manufacturing conglomerate. This ownership change has breathed new life into the pulp mill and the community through increased investment.
“Neucel and its shareholders believe in the importance of community and we look forward to working with local government to ensure the prosperity of the mill and the surrounding community,” said CEO Wanli Zhao.
Neucel is a Canadian-based producer of high-quality specialty cellulose, with its office is located in Richmond, B.C. The company is currently conducting strategic investments initiatives to increase its production reliability, to further improve its cost competitiveness, and to enhance its specialty products in order to provide a distinct competitive advantage for its customers.