8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 15, 2004

Pioneer Companies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation) 000-31230
(Commission File Number) 06-1215192
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

700 Louisiana, Suite 4300, Houston, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices) 77002
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 570-3200

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 5.02(b). Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.
	Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Press Release of November 16, 2004

Item 5.02(b). Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

     On November 15, 2004, Gary L. Rosenthal resigned as a director of Pioneer Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). On November 16, 2004, the Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Rosenthal’s resignation. A copy of such press release is being filed as an exhibit to this report.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (c) Exhibits.

Exhibit number	Description
99.1	Press Release of November 16, 2004

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

PIONEER COMPANIES, INC.
By:	/s/ Kent R. Stephenson
	Kent R. Stephenson
	Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Dated: November 16, 2004

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit number	Description
99.1	Press Release of November 16, 2004

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

700 LOUISIANA STREET
SUITE 4300
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002 FAX: 713 225-6475
TELEPHONE: 713 570-3200

PRESS RELEASE

Pioneer Announces the
Resignation of Gary Rosenthal as a Director

     Houston, Texas (November 16, 2004) — Pioneer Companies, Inc. [OTC: PONR] today reported that Gary R. Rosenthal has resigned as a director of the Company. Mr. Rosenthal’s service as a member of the Board of Directors began with the conclusion of the Company’s bankruptcy proceedings on December 31, 2001.

     David N. Weinstein, Pioneer’s Chairman, stated, “We regret that Gary Rosenthal has resigned from the board. Gary’s leadership and guidance have been an important part of the turnaround at Pioneer. His work with Pioneer has included innumerable contributions instrumental in enhancing our management, governance, balance sheet and operations, and he has helped Pioneer navigate difficult moments and market conditions and emerge with a strengthened mission and better prospects for the future.”

     Pioneer, based in Houston, manufactures chlorine, caustic soda, bleach, hydrochloric acid and related products used in a variety of applications, including water treatment, plastics, pulp and paper, detergents, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical disinfectants. Pioneer owns and operates four chlor-alkali plants and several downstream manufacturing facilities in North America.

     Certain statements in this news release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Forward-looking statements relate to matters that are not historical facts. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements.

Contact: Gary Pittman (713) 570-3200