An aerial perspective of the closed Red River Paper Mill, highlighting the changes in the forestry industry.
International Paper is set to permanently close its Red River containerboard mill in Campti, Louisiana, impacting the local forestry industry and economy. The closure, which affects around 674 employees, will be finalized by the end of April 2025. Local loggers face significant revenue losses as they search for alternative markets, and the mill’s impact on taxation could lead to serious repercussions for local schools. Efforts are underway to explore repurposing the mill site and improving timber exportation infrastructure amid the challenges faced by the forestry sector.
Campti, Louisiana – International Paper has announced the permanent closure of its Red River containerboard mill, significantly impacting the local forestry industry and the economy of Natchitoches Parish. The mill’s closure, which includes a recycling facility in Phoenix, Arizona, a box plant in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and a sheet feeder facility in St. Louis, Missouri, was revealed in February 2025 and is scheduled to be finalized by the end of April 2025. This decision affects approximately 674 employees, including 495 hourly workers and 179 salaried positions.
The Red River mill has long been a crucial player in the local economy, purchasing about 1.6 million tons of pulpwood each year—equivalent to roughly 250 truckloads daily. As the largest taxpayer in Natchitoches Parish, the mill has employed over 400 workers, many of whom dedicated their entire careers to the site. The closure is set against a backdrop of declining demand for pulpwood—a trend that became apparent in the late 1990s, partly due to the rise of digital media, which has reduced the need for paper products.
Loggers and foresters in the region are facing chaos as they now must search for alternative markets for their timber. Bradley McDowell, a local logger, has reported a staggering monthly revenue loss of around $38,000 and is considering halving his logging crew in response to the closure. The mill’s shutdown not only jeopardizes jobs within the mill itself but also threatens related positions across the forestry sector, which contributes approximately $3.8 billion to Louisiana’s GDP, directly supporting 25,500 jobs.
Economic development officials have expressed some optimism that the laid-off workers will find new employment opportunities; however, the adjustment period for the forestry sector remains uncertain. Loggers are already experiencing challenges as they are forced to travel longer distances to sell timber to other mills. This increased distance has led to heightened competition for limited markets, thereby driving timber prices down.
The impact of the Red River mill’s closure is anticipated to extend beyond immediate job losses. The reduction in tax revenue may lead to serious repercussions for local schools, including potential closures. Additionally, loggers are grappling with a backlog of timber because they struggle to find qualified operators available to harvest it.
In a bid to mitigate some of the adverse effects, the Louisiana state legislature has allocated $1.5 million to the Natchitoches Parish Port Commission. This funding aims to enhance infrastructure needed for exporting wood chips and byproducts, potentially opening new avenues for local timber producers. Plans are also in place to explore repurposing the Red River mill site for biofuel production, mirroring a successful project at a different mill site in Pineville.
International Paper is in the midst of a transformational strategy aimed at enhancing operational efficiency while focusing on sustainable packaging solutions. The closure of the Red River mill has raised alarms not only in Campti but also in neighboring regions, causing widespread concern among the logging and forest management communities. As the local economy grapples with this significant loss, workers and businesses alike are left to navigate an uncertain future in Louisiana’s forestry landscape.
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