19 Feb. 2026: Euwid report that Fibre Excellence is facing financial problemsand could have to close two pulp mills in France: Saint Gaudens and Provence. 

Fibre Excellence says that it is doing everything possible to avoid insolvency and to preserve the sites and jobs, according to Euwid.

The reason is stated to be to this is the weakness the pulp market and high costs.

From October 17 to November 24, 2025,  the Saint Gaudens pulp mill was idled in response to the downturn in the European pulp market. This enabled operations to resume under favorable conditions.

A partial activity plan was then put in place for the site's 271 employees in order to minimize the impact of this suspension.

According to Paper Excellence, the pulp market is experiencing a marked slowdown, particularly in Asia, which is reducing demand and putting pressure on prices. “The depreciation of the dollar against the euro is also affecting the competitiveness of European exports”.

“At the European level, demand has fallen by more than 20% in the last six months, while supply remains in excess, particularly for hardwood and softwood pulp, leading to a decline in sales volumes and prices”.