Frequently Asked Questions

Performance Fibers FAQs

1. What are the major differences between Rayonier's specialty cellulose fibers (also known as chemical cellulose), and fluff pulps?

Chemical cellulose fibers are typically dissolved in, or reacted with, chemicals to produce highly purified cellulose (or cellulose derivatives) that can then be used for hundreds of products or product additives. They are typically very pure cellulose fibers. Fluff pulps are typically softwood fibers that are bleached white and have carefully controlled sheet physical characteristics, which enable converters to defiberize them and air convey the loose fibers into an absorbent core of diapers, incontinent products or feminine hygiene products. The fluff fibers may be used alone, or in combination with superabsorbent polymers, synthetic materials or other components, to construct a final consumer product.

2. What are the principal differences between newsprint, linerboard, paper, and specialty pulps?

Newsprint is typically made by grinding woodchips into fibers, applying chemicals to whiten the surface of the fibers, then forming a thin sheet of paper amenable for ink. Newsprint fibers are therefore weak, chopped up, brightened wood fibers. Linerboard is unbleached wood fiber produced by an alkaline (Kraft) pulping process and formed into medium-weight sheets that are very dense and strong. These fibers have undergone little chemical or physical damage and retain lignin from the tree, which acts as a natural glue for the fibers. Paper is usually made from fully bleached fibers originating from either an alkaline, neutral or acid pulping process. The combination of pulping and fully bleaching the fibers results in very bright fibers with little residual lignin. These fibers may be made even brighter and smoother when formed into a sheet containing clays, sizing agents and brighteners or they may be used alone to form paper for writing, copying, etc. Specialty pulps or fibers are fibers that are pulped using a prehydrolyzed alkaline or a conventional alkaline or acid process and bleached, then chemically modified to tailor the fibers for specific applications. The most common form of chemical modification involves purifying the fiber so that it is composed of almost pure cellulose. This type of high purity, specialty product is Rayonier's area of expertise.

3. Are Rayonier's Performance Fibers elemental chlorine-free?

All Rayonier's fluff fibers are elemental chlorine-free while some of our specialty and chemical cellulose fibers can be made without elemental chlorine. However, many of our specialty fibers require elemental chlorine application, in very low doses, to satisfy our customers' stringent performance and purity requirements. We continue to conduct process development work to determine ways to eliminate elemental chlorine consistent with our commitment to providing the highest technical fiber performance and value for customers.

Timberland Management FAQs

1. What types of softwoods does Rayonier grow?

Southern U.S.: The predominant species include loblolly and slash pine, which are two of the species included in the southern yellow pine group (longleaf and sand pine are also grown to a lesser extent). Northwestern U.S.: Hemlock, Douglas fir, Western red cedar, and spruce. New Zealand: Radiata pine and Douglas fir.

2. How do you identify a softwood?

Any tree with needle-like leaves is considered to be a softwood or conifer.

3. What types of hardwoods are found on Rayonier's timberlands?

Southeastern U.S.: Red oaks, white oaks, gums, yellow poplar, red maple, and ashes. Northwestern U.S.: Alder and maple. Upstate New York: Black cherry, sugar maple, and yellow birch.

4. What is the average maturity time of Rayonier's timber?

For timber from the southeastern U.S. (primarily southern pine), the average rotation age between planting and harvest, is 25 years for timber sold to lumber mills, and 20 years for pulpwood destined for pulp and paper mills. The average rotation age for timber destined for domestic and export markets from the northwestern U.S. (primarily hemlock and Douglas fir) is between 45 and 50 years. The average rotation age for timber grown in New Zealand (primarily radiata pine) is between 25 and 28 years.

5. How do you convert timber in tons (or MBF) to cubic meters?

Actual conversion ratios vary by region, species, age class, and individual tree size. Management of the company has determined the total timber inventory using cubic meter conversion factors of approximately one cubic meter equals .127 MBF for northwest softwood species; .114 MBF for northwest hardwood species; 1.33 short green tons for southeast pine species; and 1.41 short green tons for southeast hardwood species.

6. Does Rayonier offer recreational licenses on its property?

Recreational opportunities are made available by Rayonier to the general public. For more information visit http://www.rayonierhunting.com.