SAINT-FELICIEN, QC—SFK Pulp announced plans yesterday to cut production and lay off more than 200 employees for six weeks at its Saint-Félicien mill.

The temporary shutdown is in response to low market demand, and the company will also close a mill in Fairmont, WV, for a month. Combined, production of northern bleached softwood kraft pulp will be cut by 45,000 tonnes, and recycled bleached kraft cut by 25,000 tonnes.

SFX produces pulp for use in supercalendered grades, lightweight coated, and wood-free coated and uncoated papers.