GLENS FALLS, New York — Finch Paper has announced it will cease pulp production at its pulp and paper mill in Glens Falls, New York, shifting to purchased market pulp as the company refocuses its operations on paper manufacturing.

The decision, announced on July 17, marks a significant change for one of the region’s longstanding paper producers and is expected to have ripple effects across the northeastern U.S. forestry supply chain.

Company Shifts Focus to Paper Production

According to Finch Paper, sourcing pulp from the open market will allow the company to concentrate on its core business of manufacturing specialty uncoated papers.

The company said all hourly employees working in the pulp mill and woodyard will be offered opportunities to transfer to other positions within the business. Many affected salaried employees will also be eligible to apply for available roles elsewhere in the company.

Finch manufactures uncoated paper grades for commercial printing, book publishing, direct mail, financial and transactional printing, envelopes, labels, packaging and specialty applications.

Regional Logging Industry Faces Impact

The closure of pulp operations will eliminate the mill’s need to purchase large volumes of pulpwood from logging contractors throughout New York, New England and the broader Northeast.

Industry organizations warned that the decision will have significant economic consequences for independent loggers, trucking companies and forest management operations that have relied on the mill as a key regional pulpwood market.

Forestry Sector Raises Concerns

The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) described the closure as a major loss for the region’s forest products industry.

According to the association, the Glens Falls facility is one of only two pulp markets in eastern New York serving logging contractors across multiple northeastern states.

The organization said the loss of the market could reduce the economic viability of logging businesses while making sustainable forest management more difficult by limiting outlets for lower-grade timber used in pulp production.

Market Reflects Ongoing Industry Restructuring

Finch Paper’s decision reflects broader structural changes across the North American pulp and paper industry, where producers continue adapting to changing market conditions, evolving fiber economics and shifting demand for paper products.

While purchasing market pulp may improve operational flexibility for paper manufacturers, the strategy can also reshape regional wood supply chains and affect industries that depend on integrated pulp production.

Last Updated on 21/07/2026 by Jota Machinery