International Paper enters into agreement to acquire Longview's NORPAC

One of the largest pulp and paper companies in the world is in the process of acquiring Longview's North Pacific Paper Company, or NORPAC, for $360 million.

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Tennessee-based International Paper announced the acquisition agreement on Thursday.

International Paper is a public company worth about $19 billion, with locations across the globe.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.

The news comes as industry reports say NORPAC plans to exit the newsprint industry by May 1.

The Longview mill employs about 500 people and produces about one million tons of containerboard and other grades annually, according to the press release announcing plans for the acquisition.

NORPAC is backed by private equity firm One Rock Capital Partners.

International Paper Executive Vice President Tom Hamic, who is also the president of packaging solutions North America, says in the notice that NORPAC's location and strong customer base will help the company serve people in the growing West Coast.

NORPAC opened in 1979 as a joint venture between Weyerhaeuser Co. and Japan-based Nippon Paper Industries, according to The Daily News archives.

A 2009 report in The Daily News states NORPAC was then the largest newsprint manufacturer on the West Coast, with customers including The Seattle Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Gannett newspaper chain. The company's average production then was about 2,900 metric tons of paper per day.

Inland Empire Paper Company, which sells newsprint-grade paper made at its mill located in Millwood, Washington, near the Idaho border, will be the last maker of newsprint-grade paper in the United States when NORPAC leaves the market, according to the company.

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