Georgia-Pacific modernizes its 1965 Wauna tissue machine with a 150 million rebuild

The North American tissue market leaves little room for aging assets. Recognizing this, Georgia-Pacific has officially wrapped up a $150 million comprehensive rebuild of its No. 1 Paper Machine at the Wauna Mill in Oregon. The project, which transforms a 1965-vintage machine into a modern production line, underscores the capital-intensive reality of maintaining market leadership in the consumer tissue and private label sectors.

After a year of engineering and construction that began in June 2025, the physical rebuild required a highly orchestrated three-month downtime period. The modernized machine produced its first paper on June 5, 2026, culminating in a formal dedication ceremony this past September.

Engineering a modern tissue asset

Upgrading a six-decade-old machine is often more complex than a greenfield installation. The Wauna PM1 rebuild demanded 200 tons of structural steel and over 70 miles of new wiring to integrate contemporary drive systems and automation controls. Beyond the primary machine, the $150 million capital injection also covered critical infrastructure upgrades across the facility, including the installation of new roll handling equipment for the mill's No. 2 Paper Machine.

During peak construction, the site hosted approximately 500 contractors, a logistical challenge managed alongside the mill's ongoing operations. The successful startup secures the production capacity for key Georgia-Pacific brands, specifically Angel Soft bath tissue and Vanity Fair napkins, while also supplying strategic private-label retail partners.

Securing regional manufacturing

For Clatsop County, where the Wauna Mill operates as a primary economic engine with over 800 direct employees, the investment signals long-term stability. Vivek Joshi, president of Georgia-Pacific's retail tissue, towel, and napkin business, previously noted that the modernization was essential to keep the overall business competitive in a tight market.

The completion of this rebuild reflects a broader industry trend where major producers opt to heavily recapitalize existing strategic sites rather than expanding their geographic footprint. By extending the lifecycle of PM1 for decades to come, Georgia-Pacific reinforces its manufacturing base in the Pacific Northwest, ensuring it can meet the exacting quality and volume demands of today's retail tissue consumers.