Georgia-Pacific to Close Memphis Cellulose Pulp Mill, Impacting 152 Workers

Georgia-Pacific has announced the permanent closure of its GP Cellulose Memphis mill and the adjacent Technology and Innovation Center in Tennessee, affecting 152 employees. The decision, driven by prolonged market challenges for cotton linter pulp products, will result in 130 job losses at the pulp mill and 22 at the innovation center, with most positions ending by early December. The company stated it evaluated all alternatives, including a potential sale, and plans to maintain the site in sellable condition should buyer interest arise. The Memphis facility was acquired in 2013 as part of Georgia-Pacific's purchase of Buckeye Technologies. The move follows the shutdown of GP Cellulose’s Foley specialty pulp mill in Perry, Florida, in late 2023, signaling ongoing realignment within the company's specialty pulp operations amid global market headwinds.