Cosmo Specialty Fibers Celebrates Three-Year Anniversary

COSMOPOLIS, Wash., Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cosmo Specialty Fibers marked the third anniversary of a reborn pulp mill in Cosmopolis, Washington. Dormant for about half a decade, the mill was purchased by the Gores Group LLC and restored to commercial production capability as Cosmo Specialty Fibers in only six months. Two hundred well-paying jobs were added to an area where unemployment is typically the highest in the state.

Initially, the 140,000 tons of production capacity was almost exclusively viscose pulp. However, Cosmo is currently transitioning over 35% of its capacity to various specialty grades in support of a diverse customer base around the world. The mill was originally designed to make specialty grade dissolving pulp, developing a global reputation for producing the highest-quality softwood acetate for major chemical customers worldwide.   

"The qualification process to sell acetate is never easy, but our mill has an excellent legacy reputation for acetate production, and we were able to bring back former employees who had built that reputation for product quality and reliability. We also carried out international recruitment for added technical strength," said Mike Entz, CEO of Cosmo Specialty Fibers. "I am really proud of what we have accomplished during the 3 years since we purchased the mill."

Since production started in May 2011, Cosmo Specialty Fibers has driven down the operating cost per ton by over 50%, reduced its use of fossil fuel to less than 5% and made substantial sales inroads into the higher-margin specialty pulps. "The last few months have positioned us well as we have partnered with Central National-Gottesman Inc. (CNG), which provided us with excellent worldwide sales and logistics, attained PEFC/SFI fiber chain-of-custody certification and achieved record production and cost per ton performance," added Entz.

Entz went on to say that Cosmo Specialty Fibers is completing acetate and specialty pulp qualifications with several customers in the next few months, and is also evaluating the potential development of biochemicals from residual streams. "Developing biochemicals and fuels from residual process streams is now a necessary practice in our industry," said Entz. "We unload our treatment system by diverting residual streams into these new product processes and reduce the effects of pulp market volatility, both of which enhance our financial position."

Warren Pullen, CNG's Senior Vice President, Global Pulp Group, added, "Anyone who has the opportunity to visit Cosmo will be impressed by its unique culture and capabilities, outstanding management team and truly dedicated workforce. Mike and his team have instilled a relentless focus on serving customers, producing the finest-quality dissolving pulp and driving down production costs. These actions are well supported by The Gores Group. It is a real privilege for us to be a part of what has been created at Cosmo."

Tim Meyer, Managing Director of The Gores Group and Chairman of the Board of Cosmo Specialty Fibers added, "The Gores Group recognizes the significant efforts and achievements of the management team which has positioned Cosmo to compete successfully for specialty grade opportunities, particularly acetate. We are committed to Cosmo's success and its long-term growth and market potential."

SOURCE Cosmo Specialty Fibers Inc.