FRANCE — Another setback for Fibre Excellence. The Saint-Gaudens paper mill in the Haute-Garonne region of France will suspend pulp production for two weeks, from March 16 to 30, 2026. The paper group’s management indicates that the level of wood stock no longer enables it to maintain industrial activity under normal conditions. This decision, which comes after a five-week suspension of production last October due to the drop in activity on the European pulp market, is due to persistent tensions on the industrial wood market, with supply difficulties exacerbated by recent bad weather in south-west France. The shutdown period will be used for maintenance operations, cleaning work and training sessions for teams. However, certain activities will continue on site. Timber supply services, shipping and the city’s wastewater treatment plant will continue to operate. This latest shutdown comes at a time of uncertainty for Fibre Excellence’s two French paper mills.