In the late 1930s, America was still reeling from the effects of the Great Depression, including the small town of Fernandina Beach.

The local shrimping industry was drying up, and the area had yet to become a thriving resort destination. The mayor sought out industries to come and establish themselves; Rayonier, Inc., the predecessor of Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM), heeded the call.

Construction on the company’s plant in Fernandina Beach began in 1937. Hundreds of county residents were employed building the infrastructure, which began operations in 1939.

It wasn’t until 2014 that Rayonier Inc. spun off its performance fibers business to create RYAM, a company headquartered in Florida, known worldwide for its cellulose-based technologies.

Today, around $40 million in direct salaries and benefits are provided to 300-plus employees.

“There’s a $185 million total economic contribution to the region,” says Ben Chambers, director, Sustainability & External Affairs.

“Additionally, since 2019, the RYAM Foundation, coupled with direct employee giving, have donated more than $700,000 to a diverse group of local organizations that all have a meaningful impact in the community,” he says.

Employees embrace the community not just through funding but also by contributing countless hours and expertise by serving as coaches, mentors, tutors, and committee members for a variety of civic programs and human service organizations.

More than 1,200 local jobs are supported by RYAM’s operations through the plant and more than a quarter-million acres of rural forests.

Jobs include positions in the logging, trucking, contracting, forestry, service and maintenance industries.

“RYAM is a global leader in the production of high-purity cellulose specialties,” Chambers says. He notes that the cellulose specialties are derived from wood pulp.

“The plant’s high purity cellulose makes essential products possible, including LCD screens and films, filters, construction material, sponges and shampoos.

Other products include textiles, plastics and pharmaceuticals.

In addition to the Fernandina Beach operation, RYAM operates manufacturing facilities elsewhere in the United States, Canada and France. These facilities produce a variety of cellulose-based products and derivatives.

The plant also produces electricity, says Chamber, producing more than 99% of total energy/electricity for operations.

A 2019 proclamation by then Fernandina Beach Mayor John A. Miller recognized

RYAM’s importance to the community for their decades-long heritage of dedicated leadership, environmental stewardship, and civic responsibility.

And during the last decade, RYAM has continued to grow within Nassau County significantly.

“RYAM is a key player in stimulating the community,” says Sherri Mitchell, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board.

“Beyond job creation, manufacturing plants contribute significantly to the local gross national product, revenue streams and tax base, acting as a catalyst for economic stability in the region.”

Mitchell says RYAM stands on building a sustainable, vibrant community and continues to evolve in their field with innovative, forward-thinking initiatives.

Growth to the Future

In 2016, the Fernandina Plant patterned with Eight Flags LLC’s combined heat and power plant, the most efficient power plant in the world, Chamber says.

A $35 million capital investment brought Eight Flags to the plant. Here, it generates 20 megawatts of power for Florida Public Utility’s Amelia Island customers.

In 2018, LignoTech Florida, a 55/45 percent joint venture, officially opened.

The agreement, owned by Borregaard and RYAM, brought 50 new high-paying manufacturing jobs to Fernandina Beach.

Chamber says lignin, a natural component of wood, is a co-product of RYAM’s sulfite cellulose manufacturing process. LignoTech Florida provides environmentally-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel-based products used globally.

And there’s more on the horizon.

“RYAM’s proposed 2G BioEthanol plant is simply the next step in our evolution as a company, taking advantage of a growing demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly products,” Chamber says.

If approved, the 2G BioEthanol plant will offer more solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges while maintaining local manufacturing jobs.

“The project is good for our environment, good for our company, and good for our community in Fernandina Beach. It’s a win-win-win for the environment, economy and community.”

With firm roots in the community and an eye to the future, Chambers says RYAM is in a unique position that benefits Fernandina Beach and Nassau County.

“We invest in research and development to innovate and improve product offerings. We work closely with customers to develop specialized solutions to meet specific needs,” he says.

That translates to a strong market position.

“The company is recognized as a leading supplier of cellulose specialties globally,” says Chambers. “We have a strong market position due to expertise, quality products and commitment to sustainability.”