What Happened to Longview Paper Mill?
The Longview Paper Mill, originally established as Longview Fibre Company in 1927, has undergone significant transformations and ownership changes. Today, the industrial site in Longview, Washington, houses major paper manufacturing operations under Smurfit Westrock (following acquisitions by KapStone and WestRock) and Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. (a subsidiary of Nippon Paper Group). The Nippon Dynawave facility recently experienced a catastrophic chemical tank implosion on May 26, 2026, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, and raising serious concerns about industrial safety and environmental compliance.
Quick Answer
The historic Longview Paper Mill site in Longview, Washington, is currently operated by two primary entities: Smurfit Westrock and Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. On May 26, 2026, the Nippon Dynawave facility suffered a devastating chemical tank implosion, leading to two confirmed deaths, nine missing workers presumed dead, and several injuries. The incident, which involved a 900,000-gallon tank of white liquor, has caused environmental contamination of the Columbia River and initiated multiple investigations into the mill's safety and regulatory compliance history.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Longview Fibre Company Founded
Longview Fibre Company was established in Longview, Washington, with an initial output of 100 tons of paper per day and 300 employees.
Acquired by Brookfield Asset Management
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. completed its acquisition of Longview Fibre Company for approximately $2.15 billion, including assumed debt. Brookfield planned to split the timber and paper-products businesses.
Paper Operations Sold to KapStone Paper and Packaging
Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging Inc. was acquired by KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. for $1.03 billion in cash from Brookfield Capital Partners II.
Labor Strike at KapStone Mill
Workers from Local 153 of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers went on strike against KapStone over alleged unfair labor practices, leading to a temporary restraining order.
Nippon Paper Acquires Liquid Packaging Board Facility
Nippon Paper Group purchased the liquid packaging board facility at the Longview site from Weyerhaeuser (who had acquired the timberlands from Brookfield) for $285 million, forming Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co.
KapStone Acquired by WestRock
WestRock acquired KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation, integrating the Longview paper mill into its operations.
WestRock Fined for COVID-19 Violations
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries fined WestRock Services (formerly Longview Fibre) nearly $140,000 for 'Willful Serious' violations related to a COVID-19 outbreak, including a worker's death.
Large Wood Chip Fire at Nippon Dynawave
A significant fire involving a large wood chip pile at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. mill caused unhealthy air quality levels in Portland.
Smurfit Westrock Merger Announced
WestRock announced its merger with Smurfit Kappa to form Smurfit Westrock, a new global packaging leader.
Class Action Lawsuit Against WestRock Mill
A class action lawsuit was filed against the WestRock paper mill, alleging it repeatedly released noxious odors into surrounding neighborhoods and failed to control emissions.
Nippon Dynawave Fined for Air Act Violations
Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. paid a $5,500 civil penalty for violations involving the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
Chemical Tank Implosion at Nippon Dynawave
A 900,000-gallon tank of white liquor imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. Initial reports indicated one confirmed death, nine injuries, and nine missing workers.
Death Toll Rises, Environmental Contamination Confirmed
The confirmed death toll from the Nippon Dynawave implosion rose to two, with nine workers still missing and presumed dead. Recovery efforts continued amidst hazardous conditions, and testing confirmed high-pH material reached the Columbia River.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Longview Paper Mill traces its origins back to 1927 with the founding of the Longview Fibre Company in Longview, Washington. The company quickly expanded its operations, adding multiple paper machines and acquiring timberlands to ensure a steady supply of wood fiber, becoming a significant employer and community pillar in the Pacific Northwest.
A major turning point occurred in 2007 when Brookfield Asset Management Inc. acquired Longview Fibre Company for approximately $2.15 billion, including assumed debt. Brookfield subsequently split the company's timber and paper-products businesses into separate entities. The paper and packaging operations, then known as Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging Inc., were later sold to KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. in 2013 for $1.03 billion. KapStone itself was acquired by WestRock in 2018, integrating the Longview paper mill into WestRock's extensive packaging portfolio. More recently, in July 2024, WestRock merged with Smurfit Kappa to form Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable packaging.
Separately, a portion of the original Longview mill site, specifically the liquid packaging board facility, was acquired by Nippon Paper from Weyerhaeuser (who had acquired the timberlands from Brookfield) in 2016 for $285 million. This operation became Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., a subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Nippon Paper Group. Both Smurfit Westrock and Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. continue to operate on the expansive Longview industrial site.
In recent years, both facilities have faced scrutiny. The WestRock mill was the subject of a class-action lawsuit in November 2025, accusing it of repeatedly releasing noxious odors and being the state's fourth-largest industrial air polluter in 2023. Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. has also had a history of environmental and workplace safety issues, including fines for Clean Air Act violations in March 2026 and a warning for a diesel spill in March 2025.
The most devastating event occurred on May 26, 2026, when a 900,000-gallon tank containing white liquor, a corrosive chemical used in papermaking, imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility. The incident initially left one person dead, nine injured, and nine missing. By May 27, 2026, the confirmed death toll rose to two, with the nine missing workers presumed dead. Recovery efforts were hampered by the tank's instability and ongoing chemical hazards. The implosion also led to the contamination of the Columbia River, with state ecology officials investigating the environmental consequences. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson stated that this could be the 'deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history.'
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Longview Paper Mill made different choices?