Nippon Dynawave Takes First Steps Toward Restarting Longview, WA, Mill After Explosion

On Monday, work crews began dismantling the large white liquor storage tank that ruptured and killed 11 workers at Nippon Dynawave Packaging’s mill in Longview, Washington, on May 26, marking an initial step toward restarting the facility, Lower Columbia Currents reported (8-18-26).

Nippon Dynawave said it will dismantle and remove three out-of-service tanks and stage temporary tanks to store the white liquor and black liquor needed for an operational restart.

“Nippon Dynawave Packaging (NDP) will begin dismantling and removing three out-of-service tanks, and staging temporary tanks for storage, beginning August 17. At this time, work onsite will address these three tanks—Weak Wash Tank (Recaust/Lime Kiln Area, No. 4 White Liquor Tank (Recaust/Lime Kiln Area), and G-Tank. The temporary tanks will store the white liquor and black liquor needed for operational restart,” the company said.

The work is “necessary for an eventual restart,” Nippon’s Sam Jeffries said. The Seattle Times reported that Nippon said the tank work is expected “to take a matter of weeks,” although the company has not provided an estimate for a full restart of the shuttered mill, which produces pulp and packaging paper for food containers and other products. Company documents filed Monday indicate the temporary tanks could be used for up to three months.

Nippon is paying all employees full salaries through at least October 11. The mill employs about 500 workers.