Louisiana Mills Receive Big Investments, Upgrades

Recent announcements by Weyerhaeuser and International Paper to invest in their respective Louisiana laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and paper and linerboard mill facilities are welcome news in a state that’s seen its forest resources battered by hurricanes and also the recent closure of a Georgia-Pacific paper mill that’s affected markets.

In November 2020 Weyerhaeuser announced a $16.1 million investment in its Natchitoches, La. LVL, structural header and beam mill. The project will provide major equipment upgrades at the site, including control system modernization of manufacturing presses and machinery. The 250,000 sq. ft. Natchitoches mill is the major customer for Weyerhaeuser’s Zwolle site, which provides materials that form laminated veneer lumber and structural headers and beams under the Microllam brand. The Arcadia/Simsboro mill supplies the web portion of Weyerhaeuser I-joists manufactured under the Trus Joist brand at Natchitoches.

The state received additional good news in mid-January when International Paper officials announced the company plans to invest up to $52.2 million in its Bogalusa, La. paper mill and an associated corrugated box plant. With the latest announcement, IP has invested $487 million in the plant since acquiring it from Temple-Inland in 2012.