DRYDEN, ON—Domtar will idle its Dryden pulp mill for ten weeks, effective April 25.

It will also close a sawmill in Ear Falls, Ont., for seven weeks, effective April 10. Combined, 500 employees will be affected. Domtar says the temporary closures are in response to weak demand for pulp, and an effort to manage inventory.

In November 2008, Domtar permanently shut down its main paper machine and all converting operations at the Dryden mill, reducing its annual paper production by 151,000 short tonnes of uncoated freesheet paper, putting about 200 people out of work.