30 Million tons of U.S. market in transition

Twenty five US mills are expected to change hands, involving more than 31 million tons of annual pulpwood consumption. About 13% of the total US pulpwood market is slated for new ownership in 2000. International Paper Co. plans to divest pulpwood mills in Erie, PA, and Natchez, MS. Bowater Inc. acquired Newsprint south Inc. paper mill in Grenada, MS, from GE Capital Group. Consolidated Papers Inc.'s pending $4.8 billion sale to Stora Enso Oy involves six Great Lakes pulpwood mills. In Canada, Norway's Norske Skog closed its $2.5 purchase of Fletcher Challenge Canada Ltd.