A History of Innovation
We trace our history back to 1926, when the Rainier Pulp & Paper Company began operation in Washington State. With three companies merging in 1937 to form Rayonier, we became the single largest manufacturer of dissolving pulps in the world.
In 1931, when DuPont sought a new process to purify hemlock pulp for use in the production of rayon, they turned to our Research & Development team, planting the seeds for a partnership that led to new innovations and fueled Rayonier’s growth. In the years since, we’ve built and maintained our position as a world-leading provider of high-purity performance fibers.
During World War II, we played a major role in the war effort, producing nitrocellulose. Our enduring commitment to continuously improve our research and manufacturing operations has made us a leader in innovation, driving growth and attracting customers in 20 countries around the world.
A Business Built on Innovation
In 2014, Rayonier Inc. divided its land resources business from its performance fibers business, creating two independent publicly-traded companies.
Completion of the acquisition of Tembec in 2017 represents the opening of yet another chapter for our company. We are now a global forest products company that creates sustainable solutions from renewable resources. Our products range from sustainable paperboard and environmentally-efficient high-yield pulp, to high-purity cellulose products and a growing array of BioSolutions. Our international footprint now includes operations in the U.S., Canada and France.
Company Timeline
Rainier Pulp & Papers founded in Shelton, Washington
Rainier Pulp & Paper teams up with DuPont to produce purified hemlock cellulose for use in the production of rayon fibers
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
Rayonier completes construction on its first cellulose specialties plant in the Southeast in Fernandina Beach, Florida
Company aids the war effort by producing nitrocellulose, a common explosive found in military munitions during WWII
Rayonier’s largest cellulose specialties plant, and second in the Southeast, opens in Jesup, Georgia
Jesup plant expansion makes it the largest kraft pulp production facility in the world
Rayonier moves its research division to a new state-of-the-art facility in Jesup
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
RYAM acquires Tembec, creating a diversified global leader in high-purity cellulose, packaging, paper, high-yield pulp and forest products.
RYAM sells their Matane, Quebec, pulp mill to Sappi Limited.
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
Our BioFuture
Sustainable from the Start, Sustainable for the Future
RYAM is uniquely positioned to support growing global demand for sustainable products. Increasingly, manufacturers and consumers insist on sustainable inputs and more environmentally-friendly supply chains. RYAM’s remarkable solutions—sourced from renewable resources—are often the answer.
Our products include more environmentally-friendly alternatives to fossil-fuel based plastics and gasoline. Our second-generation biorefineries create a renewable fuel-source that will help the world meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets.
RYAM is an innovation engine, supplying sustainable solutions to help power a more circular economy. That’s why we invest in research and development, continuously improve our operations, and work to reduce our environmental footprint.
We pride ourselves in aligning our sustainability goals with our customers’ needs and putting the “sustainable” in their business.