Apr 13, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. PaperlinX to close Burnie mill in Tasmania. The closure of the remaining operations at the Burnie mill is the final stage of PaperlinX’s exit from its Tasmanian paper manufacturing operations with the balance of operations already closed, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. On completion of this closure, PaperlinX will be solely a merchanting company, with businesses distributing paper, sign and display, graphics solutions and industrial packaging to a wide range of customers in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Europe and North America. The overall total net cash cost of PaperlinX’s exit from Tasmania is still expected to be around A$10-20 million ($9.3-18.6 million), while PaperlinX is expected to include after tax significant items in its 2010 full year results of around A$170 million ($158.6 million) including non-cash accounting items as a result of the closure, in line with previous guidance. A$134 million ($125 million) of the total after tax significant items was already included in the first half results released in February 2010. Commenting on this decision, PaperlinX Managing Director, Tom Park said, “This has been a long and complex process and while it is disappointing that we have not been able to find a sustainable outcome for the Burnie operations we do believe that we have reached an outcome that is in the best interests of PaperlinX and its shareholders.” “From a PaperlinX perspective, we are pleased that we expect to complete our exit from paper manufacturing at a lower cost than initially thought, while continuing to meet all of our obligations,” added Mr Park. “We are now focussed on completing our refinancing programme, which is progressing well, and on ensuring that our competitive position is as robust as it can be in these uncertain economic times.”