Photo credit: EverythingGP staff

By Curtis Galbraith

Forestry Business

Grande Prairie pulp mill part of $1.5 billion forestry business transaction

Aug 21, 2025 | 3:56 PM

A $1.5 billion dollar deal in the forestry business includes a Grande Prairie mill.

International Paper has announced it is selling its Global Cellulose Fibres (GCF) division, including its pulp mill located south of Grande Prairie, to American Industrial Partners (AIP).

The transaction is expected to close by the end of this year.

In an email to EverythingGP, Grande Prairie president and mill manager Lyman Rorem, says that “our commitment to this community remains as strong as ever.”

“Our operations, workforce, and local partnerships will continue, and we will remain an active contributor to the well-being and economic vitality of Grande Prairie,” adds Rorem.

The sale comes after International Paper conducted what it calls a strategic review, one that started last fall.

“GCF is a strong business, and I’m pleased to see it transitioning to AIP, which is focused on investing in and growing industrial businesses,” says International Paper Chief Executive Officer Andy Silvernail, in a release posted on the company’s website.

“Over the past few months, GCF has done the hard work of aligning resources with its most strategic customers, implementing an 80/20 mindset, and creating a simplified and focused portfolio. These actions, combined with its talented and committed team made it an attractive investment for AIP to enter the pulp market and have positioned GCF for long-term success under new ownership,” adds Silvernail.

“GCF is well-positioned for future growth, supported by its large and sustainable wood basket, durable end markets, industry leading quality and innovation, long-term customer relationships, deeply knowledgeable employees, and well-invested facilities,” says AIP partner Rick Hoffman, in that same release.

“We look forward to partnering with GCF Senior Vice President Clay Ellis and the rest of the talented and tenured management team to implement their growth vision,” added Hoffman.

AIP also posted a release on its website.

Global Cellulose Fibres includes seven pulp mills and two converting facilities. The other locations are in the U.S. and Poland.

The Grande Prairie mill was first owned by Proctor & Gamble, then Weyerhaeuser before it was acquired by International Paper.