PCA idles Washington paper mill

Packaging Corp. of America (PCA) plans to idle its mill in Wallula, Washington, and, according to a report from the Tri-City Herald, will not resume operations until later this year.

The Lake Forest, Illinois-based company attributed the decision to economic conditions and confirmed to the Tri-City Herald the decision affects about 300 employees.

The mill produces about 1,800 tons of unbleached paper and corrugated medium per day and consumes approximately 1,000 tons per day of old corrugated containers (OCC) it sources from around the region.

PCA announced in 2019 it was adding 350,000 tons per year of OCC pulping capacity at the Wallula site, citing feedstock availability and cost savings. Previously, the site had produced primarily virgin linerboard and medium.

According to the report from the Tri-City Herald, PCA’s corrugated box plants in Wallula and Richland, Washington, will not be affected and will remain open. The Wallula box plant employs about 155 people and makes approximately 5 million square feet of corrugated boxes per day.

PCA acquired the Wallula mill in 2013 when it purchased the pulp and paper division of Boise Inc.