NEW YORK (News release) -- Mercer International Inc. announces that the operator of the Cariboo Pulp and Paper mill, in which Mercer has a joint venture interest, has announced a planned curtailment of operation beginning in mid-April for a month and then for another month in the third quarter.

The announcement is the direct consequence of a decrease in availability of fiber, which is well documented in British Columbia. Recent insect infestation, fire, and Government policy have all impacted the amount of available fiber in the region.

Downtime at the mill will better align production capacity with the available fiber supply. These plans may be adjusted should fiber forecasts change.

Mercer International Inc. is a global forest products company with operations in Germany, the USA and Canada with an annual production capacity of 2.3 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 140 thousand cubic meters of cross-laminated timber, 17 million pallets and 150,000 metric tonnes of wood pellets. For further information, please visit www.mercerint.com.