Waste straw burned on wheat fields is one of Washington’s top sources of air pollution. Columbia Pulp purchases this straw to produce pulp and bio-polymers, creating a new revenue stream for wheat farmers that would typically go up in smoke.

Smart, Sustainable Business

Columbia Pulp’s 140,000-square-foot mill has created 100 family wage jobs in the agricultural communities of Dayton, Starbuck and Pomeroy, Washington. Straw purchases from local farmers exceed $15 million dollars every year.

An Economic Engine

Columbia Pulp eliminates the need for farmers to burn 250,000 tons of straw waste every year, improving air quality region-wide. Our state-of-the-art facility and locally-sourced feed stock reduce carbon emissions by 76 percent compared to traditional pulp mills.

Protecting the Environment

Creating a Sustainable Future

Columbia Pulp is North America’s first tree-free market pulp mill, using wheat farmers’ waste straw to create pulp for paper products as well as bio-polymers for a variety of industrial uses.

Latest News

Palouse railroads continue to make history

From the Waitsburg Times: The burgeoning railroad industry of the late 1800's pounded its way to and through the Palouse, connecting lumber and flour mills, and other industrial and agricultural goods to the rest of the North American as well as export markets. The great rivers of the area attracted many early adventurers, but it took the railroads to [...]

Columbia Pulp CEO garners top honor

From the Union-Bulletin.com: The plant has not yet opened, but that isn’t stopping Columbia Pulp CEO John Begley from recognition as a mover and shaker in the pulp and paper industry. Begley was named to Fastmarkets RISI’s Top 50 Power List. The honor was published in Fastmarket’s July/August publication. Fastmarket RISI is the global trade publication for the forest products industry. Read more ... [...]

Columbia Pulp closes in on launch date

From the Union-Bulletin.com: LYONS FERRY — Columbia Pulp is in the final stages of launching the first straw pulp mill of its kind in North America. The operation reached a major milestone last week with the mechanical completion signoff for general contractor Pacific Civil & Infrastructure. Federal Way, Wash.,-based PCI was expected to be off the clock over the [...]

RISI’s 2019 Top 50 Power List

John Begley, CEO of Columbia Pulp, has been selected to be on the Fastmarkets RISI's 2019 Top 50 Power List! See the full list here. John is No. 44.

West Linn Paper Mill Site to Re-open as Willamette Falls Paper Company

Columbia Pulp congratulates our partner, Columbia Ventures Corporation, on its recent acquisition. We are excited about the re-opening of West Linn Paper as Willamette Falls Paper and its commitment to integrate the use of non-traditional fiber sources such as pulp from wheat straw! West Linn Paper Mill Site to Re-open as Willamette Falls Paper Company

Columbia Straw Supply Fire Update

On the morning of June 13th, a straw fire began at Columbia Straw’s Lyons Ferry location. As of 6:00 am, June 19th, the fire had been reduced to a pile of smoldering straw about a stack’s width and 1 foot high. A fire team with truck and Columbia Straw individuals continue to work round the clock cutting, stirring, and [...]

Association of Washington Business (AWB)

2018 Operational Excellence Award

Recognizing a company that has a distinctive manufacturing process, including continuous improvement, innovations, lean and six sigma and/or application of high technology.