What was to be a routine maintenance shutdown for the Chetwynd Mechanical Pulp Mill in northeastern B.C. will now be a longer closure because of poor market conditions.

The mill had only reopened in the spring with a $50-million upgrade, after Paper Excellence Canada purchased the facility in 2014.

In a news release, Paper Excellence says the decision to extend the shutdown will give the company the opportunity to make operational improvements on the mill.

Deputy CEO Pedro Chang says the company is committed to the mill, its employees and the entire Chetwynd community and hopes the closure and improvements will lead to the operation’s long-term success.

The company plans to return to production in January 2016.

The mill was originally shut down for maintenance Sept. 14.