Leaf River Paper Mill, Mississippi

The Leaf River Paper Mill is a large cellulose paper plant, north of New Augusta, Mississippi. It is one of four plants owned by Georgia-Pacific that make wood cellulose, a form of pulp-derived material with uses in chemicals, paints, filters, and consumer products. Much of the cellulose at these plants is turned into “fluff pulp,” a form of paper that is very absorbent, that is sold to other companies to make products such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, and industrial applications. The Georgia-Pacific Company is often ranked as the second largest paper producer in the US. It is based in Atlanta, and owned by the Koch brothers (Koch Industries) since 2005. GP started out as a lumber company, and it still is. It moved into paper production by opening a massive pulp and paper mill in Toledo, Oregon in the 1950s, then expanding further by acquisitions. Its purchase of the Fort James Corporation in 2000 moved it deeper into toilet paper and paper towel production, including the widely distributed Quilted Northern and Brawny brands, as well as the Dixie brand of paper plates and cups