Apr 26, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Catalyst Paper recorded a net loss of $25.6 million or $0.12 per common share on sales of $478.1 million in the first quarter of 2007, the result of weaker paper prices, rising fibre prices, restructuring costs and higher planned major maintenance costs. The first-quarter results compare to a net loss of $37.2 million or $0.17 per common share on sales of $470.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. EBITDA totalled $14.1 million in the first quarter, down from $48.5 million in the fourth quarter. "Today, we are benefiting from the cyclical strength in pulp prices as we focus on streamlining and efficiency across all parts of the business. At the same time, we are managing our input costs tightly, with close attention to the upward trend in fibre prices as severe weather and sawmill curtailments continued into the first quarter," said Catalyst president and chief executive officer Richard Garneau. Catalyst is a leading producer of mechanical printing papers in North America, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company also produces market kraft pulp and owns Western Canada's largest paper recycling facility. With five mills employing 3 500 people at sites within a 160-kilometre radius on the south coast of British Columbia, Catalyst has a combined annual capacity of 2.4 million tonnes of product. Catalyst's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange.