Columbia Pulp announced today that it will idle operations, starting on February 18, 2022. The decision will affect approximately 80 employees that work primarily in its headquarters in Dayton and its plant located in Lyons Ferry.
“We made this very difficult decision while continuing to evaluate our strategic options,” said Terry Ryan, Columbia Pulp’s Interim CEO. “We are acutely aware that this has wide-reaching impacts on many people – our valued employees and their families, farm suppliers, and the communities in which we operate. The Columbia Pulp team is talented and dedicated, and we are committed to assisting them through this transition.”
More than a decade ago, Columbia Pulp was founded with a vision to utilize wheat straw to create an alternative fiber pulp that would leverage opportunities for paper and packaging applications while driving significant improvements in sustainability both locally and for its customers. The company went on to become North America’s first tree-free pulp mill.
In explaining Columbia Pulp’s decision, Mr. Ryan said: “being a first of its kind application with this type of technology has not been without challenges. And while this is normal for a company at the forefront in developing a product like this, to continue on we must make these hard choices while we evaluate our options going forward.”
The majority of the plant production is expected to pause in second quarter with a small staff that will remain to handle daily business operations. Support will be provided to employees in terms of transition and employee assistance.
“We know that the work of all of our employees helped pave the way for an alternative fiber option in our target markets and will have a lasting impact,” added Mr. Ryan. “We believe in this vision and what it means for the future of sustainability in the pulp and paper industry.”
About Columbia Pulp
Columbia Pulp’s offices are located in Dayton, Wash. The company operates a mill in Starbuck, Wash and has a pilot plant facility in Pomeroy, Wash. Both facilities convert wheat straw into pulp and biopolymers, used in the manufacture of sustainable, paper and packing products, as well as a variety of other industrial applications.