Sustainable from the Start

A History of Innovation: From Rainier Pulp to RYAM

Our journey began in 1926, with the founding of the Rainier Pulp & Paper Company in Washington State. A pivotal moment came in 1937, when three companies merged to form Rayonier, establishing us as the world’s largest manufacturer of dissolving pulps.

In 1931, when DuPont needed a new process to purify hemlock pulp for rayon production, they turned to our Research & Development team. This partnership sparked a wave of innovations, propelling Rayonier’s growth and solidifying our reputation for pioneering advancements in high-purity performance fibers.

Contributions to the War Effort

During World War II, we played a critical role in the war effort by producing nitrocellulose, further showcasing our capacity for innovation under the most demanding circumstances.

A Legacy of Leadership

For nearly a century, our commitment to research and operational excellence has positioned us as a global leader in high-purity fibers, serving customers in 20 countries. This legacy of innovation continues to drive our growth, shaping industries and enabling our partners to succeed.

The Company

A Business Built on Innovation

In 2014, Rayonier Inc. took a bold step by dividing its land resources business from its performance fibers business, forming two independent, publicly traded companies. This strategic move allowed each entity to focus on its core strengths and growth opportunities. The acquisition of Tembec in 2017 marked a transformative chapter for our company. Today, we are a global forest products leader, crafting sustainable solutions from renewable resources.

Our Diverse Product Portfolio:

Sustainable paperboard: Lightweight and versatile for packaging and printing applications
Environmentally-efficient high-yield pulp: Reducing resource consumption while maintaining performance
High-purity cellulose products: Essential for industries like pharmaceuticals, personal care, and textiles
BioSolutions: A growing range of innovative products supporting a circular economy

With an international footprint spanning the U.S., Canada, and France, we are positioned to meet the needs of global markets while driving sustainability and innovation.

Company Timeline

1920

1926

Rainier Pulp & Papers founded in Shelton, Washington

1930

1931

Rainier Pulp & Paper teams up with DuPont to produce purified hemlock cellulose for use in the production of rayon fibers

1930

1937

Company begins public trading on the New York Stock Exchange after three mills in Washington merge to form Rayonier, a combination of the words Rayon and Mt. Rainier

1930

1939

Rayonier completes construction on its first cellulose specialties plant in the Southeast in Fernandina Beach, Florida

1940

1942

Company aids the war effort by producing nitrocellulose, a common explosive found in military munitions during WWII

1950

1954

Rayonier’s largest cellulose specialties plant, and second in the Southeast, opens in Jesup, Georgia

1970

1974

Jesup plant expansion makes it the largest kraft pulp production facility in the world

1990

1996

Rayonier moves its research division to a new state-of-the-art facility in Jesup

2010

2014

Rayonier separates its land resources businesses from its performance fibers business, creating two independent, publicly traded companies. The performance fibers business becomes known as RYAM

2010

2017

RYAM acquires Tembec, creating a diversified global leader in high-purity cellulose, packaging, paper, high-yield pulp and forest products.

2010

2019

RYAM sells their Matane, Quebec, pulp mill to Sappi Limited.

2020

2021

RYAM completes the sale of their Lumber and Newsprint assets to GreenFirst Forest Products Inc.

2020

2022

Rayonier Advanced Materials undergoes a corporate rebrand to highlight our commitment to a sustainable and renewable future shaped, in part, by the emerging “bio-economy”. Under the new name “RYAM” and the tagline ‘‘Pure Nature, Pure Science’’, the company’s growth is focused on finding transformative and sustainable products to meet the demands of an ever discerning and increasingly socially and environmentally conscious market.

History of Innovations

1920

1926

Rainier Pulp and Paper Company develops dissolving pulp from Western hemlock trees, showcasing sustainable innovation.

1930

1931

Rainier’s partnership with DuPont leads to the creation of hemlock pulp, revolutionizing the clothing and textile industry with sustainable cellulose.

1930

1938

Research team at Rayonier discovers a groundbreaking method to produce wood pulp rayon, enabling the use of renewable materials in textile fabrics, cellophane, and rayon tire cord.

1940

1942

Rayonier’s scientists develop technology to transform trees into nitrocellulose, contributing essential product inputs for the war effort and various applications like inks and lacquers.

1950

1950s

In the 1950s, Rayonier developed cold caustic extraction, an innovative method to purify cellulose sustainably. It was introduced in the 1960s.

1950

1950s

Rayonier’s research teams pioneer the use of bio-plastics, offering sustainable alternatives to fiberglass and other plastics in consumer products like auto parts, containers, and casings, using cellulose acetate.

1960

Rayonier’s acetate-grade cellulose became the global benchmark for environmentally conscious filtration products.

1970

Rayonier discovers the innovative use of high-yield fluff pulp in consumer essentials like baby diapers and adult absorbables, providing sustainable solutions.

1970

1977

Rayonier leads the way in manufacturing nanocellulose technology, used in various industries such as automotive, food preservation, medicine, and cosmetics.

1980

Rayonier reorganizes its R&D, adopting a customer-driven cellulose development model to support customer-focused innovation.

1980

Rayonier supplies high purity cellulose for photographic film and LCD film production, supporting the film industry with sustainable materials.

1990

1990s

Rayonier pioneers the development of thinner films for LCD screens and personal electronic devices, meeting the demand for sustainable and high-performance materials.

1990

1990s

Rayonier secures patents for Reinforced Engineered Thermoplastics (RET), showcasing innovative efforts in developing sustainable materials for the automotive industry.

2020

2022

Rayonier Advanced Materials rebrands, becoming “RYAM.”

2020

2022

RYAM collaborates with the Georgia Center of Innovation for Manufacturing and the University of Georgia to develop sustainable poultry feed from operational byproducts, presenting an alternative to antibiotic feed additives.

2020

2023

RYAM becomes one of the first companies in France to produce second-generation bioethanol fuel from cellulose, contributing to clean and renewable energy in the European market.

Our BioFuture

Sustainable from the Start, Sustainable for the Future

At RYAM, we are uniquely positioned to meet the growing global demand for sustainable products. As manufacturers and consumers increasingly prioritize eco-friendly inputs and environmentally-responsible supply chains, RYAM delivers remarkable solutions sourced from renewable resources.

Leading the Way in Sustainable Alternatives

Environmentally-friendly plastics and fuels: Providing innovative alternatives to fossil-fuel-based plastics and gasoline
Second-generation biorefineries: Producing renewable fuel sources that help the world meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets

Driving a Circular Economy

As an innovation engine, RYAM powers a circular economy by:

Investing in research and development to create groundbreaking solutions
Continuously improving operations to enhance sustainability
Reducing our environmental footprint through efficient and responsible practices

We pride ourselves on aligning our sustainability goals with the needs of our customers, enabling them to put the “sustainable” in their business. Together, we’re shaping a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.