International Paper Considers Selling Montblanc and Valls Plants to Cristian Lay

The company postpones the closure for one week to evaluate an offer that could save 200 local jobs.

Generic image of an industrial plant in a business park.
IA

Generic image of an industrial plant in a business park.

International Paper has extended the negotiation period for its Montblanc and Valls plants by one week to study a purchase offer from the Spanish group Cristian Lay, potentially avoiding a total shutdown.

The decision was announced this Tuesday, March 17, during a workers' assembly at Concactiva. The company has shifted the final negotiation dates to March 24 and 25 to verify the proposal from Cristian Lay, which is currently the only offer under consideration after other bidders like Group Palm were dismissed.

"It is good news, but we have to see how it evolves."

Antonio Muriana · President of the Works Council at the Montblanc plant
This unexpected turn provides hope for nearly 200 employees facing redundancy. Local authorities and the Generalitat have been supporting the sale as the primary route for the reindustrialization of the Conca de Barberà region. For now, operations remain halted as the workforce awaits a final resolution.