Domtar’s Kingsport Mill has received national recognition for its environmental transformation, earning the Fred Schmitt Award for Outstanding Corporate Leadership from the National Recycling Coalition (NRC).
The prestigious award highlights leadership, innovation, and success in advancing recycling and waste diversion.
Nominated by the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, the mill was recognized for its two-year conversion project, completed in 2023, that transformed an uncoated freesheet paper operation into Tennessee’s largest recycled manufacturer.
A Model of Circular Manufacturing
The Kingsport Mill is Domtar’s first 100 percent recycled containerboard facility and operates North America’s second-largest recycled containerboard machine. It produces approximately 600,000 tons of high-quality linerboard and corrugated medium each year, consuming nearly 700,000 tons of recycled boxes and paper—enough to fill about 1.5 Empire State Buildings annually.
“This recognition from the National Recycling Coalition is a tremendous honor and a testament to our employees' dedication to sustainability,” said Tony Clary, Interim Mill Manager. “Through innovation and hard work, our team has redefined what’s possible in circular manufacturing.”
The transformation introduced key innovations reflecting a deep commitment to the circular economy:
- Waste Diversion: Reused 31,500 tons of demolition concrete and brick as foundation fill for the new facility, eliminating roughly 1,000 truck trips and diverting material from landfills.
- Water Reduction: Achieved a two-thirds reduction in daily water use.
- Closed-Loop Partnership: Maintains an ongoing recycling partnership with Food City, converting corrugated boxes from nearly 150 stores back into new packaging material.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Transitioned industrial vehicles to lithium-ion power.
Community Impact and Future Strategy
The Kingsport Chamber of Commerce highlighted the mill’s positive influence on the local economy and environment.
“Domtar has been an incredible corporate partner to our city and region,” said Miles Burdine, President and CEO of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. “This national recognition reinforces what we already know — that this company is leading the way in sustainability and innovation. The mill’s transformation is both a remarkable industrial achievement and a powerful example of how business growth and environmental responsibility can strengthen our community.”
The NRC award, presented on October 2 at Wichita State University, reflects Domtar’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy in action.
“Domtar’s Kingsport Mill sets a new benchmark for circularity and sustainable manufacturing in the forest products industry,” said Jan Martin, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Domtar. “The Fred Schmitt Award underscores how innovation and collaboration can deliver lasting environmental and community benefits.”
Domtar is a leading North American manufacturer of pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and lumber products, employing about 14,000 people across more than 60 locations. With an annual production capacity of 9.1 million metric tons of pulp, paper, packaging, and tissue, and 3 billion board feet of lumber and wood products, Domtar is committed to turning sustainable wood fiber into essential everyday products. The company’s principal office is in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
