Columbia Pulp calls for a pause
By Terry Murry on Monday, February 21st, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
DAYTON – Columbia Pulp LLC idled operations Friday in a move that affects approximately 80 employees at the company’s headquarters in Dayton and its plant located in Lyons Ferry. The company converts wheat straw into pulp and biopolymers, used in the manufacturing of sustainable paper and packing products, as well as other industrial applications.
“We made this very difficult decision while continuing to evaluate our strategic options,” Columbia Pulp Interim CEO Terry Ryan said. “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.”
Columbia Pulp was founded more than a decade ago and has become North America’s first tree-free pulp mill.
“Being a first of its kind application with this type of technology has not been without challenges,” Ryan said. “And while this is normal for a company at the forefront in developing a product like this, to continue on we must make hard choices while we evaluate our options going forward.”
Most 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.
