Domtar's Kingsport Mill has been recognized as the 2024 Business Recycler of the Year by the Tennessee Recycling Coalition (TRC), highlighting the facility's significant strides in recycling and sustainability.
The award, presented at the annual Tennessee Sustainability Conference, acknowledges the mill's successful conversion into a 100% recycled containerboard facility.
The Kingsport Mill, which resumed operations in January 2023 after a major transformation, now houses North America's second-largest recycled containerboard machine. With an annual production capacity of approximately 600,000 tons of high-quality recycled linerboard and corrugated medium, it has become Tennessee's largest recycled manufacturer.
Troy Wilson, Kingsport Mill manager, expressed pride in receiving the award, stating, "This recognition reflects our commitment to set the standard as a leader in sustainability." He credited the mill's employees as the driving force behind their efforts.
The mill's conversion, known as Project Smoky, represents one of the largest capital investments in Domtar's 175-year history. Jan Martin, Domtar's director of communications and public affairs, emphasized that the project aligns with the company's long-term vision to build a competitive packaging business while prioritizing sustainability.
Notably, the mill's renovation embraced circular economy principles. During construction, about 31,500 tons of concrete and brick from the old mill were repurposed for the new facility's foundation, eliminating approximately 1,000 waste transport trips. The revamped mill has also achieved significant environmental improvements, including:
- A two-thirds reduction in daily water usage
- Adoption of lithium-ion powered industrial vehicles to reduce carbon footprint
- Plans to repurpose 670,000 tons of recycled boxes and paper annually once fully operational
Furthermore, the mill now produces energy and electricity from about 50,000 tons per year of waste byproducts, diverting this material from landfills.
This recognition from the TRC underscores Domtar's commitment to sustainable practices and circular economy principles in the paper and packaging industry. The Kingsport Mill's transformation serves as a model for how traditional paper mills can be reimagined to meet modern environmental challenges while maintaining economic viability.
Domtar is a leading provider of fiber-based products, including papers, market pulp, and hygiene products. With about 8,800 employees in over 50 countries, the company focuses on sustainable wood fiber. Domtar generates around $5.2 billion in annual sales and is traded on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges, with its headquarters in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
