The mill, in the remote Canadian resource community on northern Vancouver Island, has been the economic lifeline for the community of 700 people for nearly a century.

At a time when pulp mills are closing on a regular basis, investors from Canada, the United States, and Switzerland are putting CAD 100 million into a long-term investment plan based on the strong market demand for dissolving sulfite pulp.

Neucel Specialty Cellulose, based in Vancouver British Columbia, bought the pulp mill in 2005 after it went bankrupt a year earlier. Beginning in May, the mill will produce high-end, high purity cellulose for companies that make pharmaceuticals, food thickeners, fabrics, film, LCD screens, and eyeglass lenses.

Attendees at the official opening and community celebration are expected to include B.C. Minister of Forests Rich Coleman, Neucel CEO Richard Bassett, and community officials. Representatives from the Quatsino First Nations have also been invited.

For further information, visit www.neucel.com.