Domtar’s Kingsport Mill receives national recognition for sustainable leadership
Domtar’s Kingsport Mill has been honored with the Fred Schmitt Award for Outstanding Corporate Leadership by the National Recycling Coalition (NRC). The prestigious national accolade recognizes companies demonstrating leadership, innovation, and excellence in recycling and material diversion.
Nominated by the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and selected by the NRC, the Kingsport Mill was recognized for its transformative conversion into Tennessee’s largest recycled manufacturing facility. The site houses North America’s second-largest recycled containerboard machine, symbolizing Domtar’s commitment to sustainable innovation and circular manufacturing.
“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 at Kingsport. “Through innovation and hard work, our team has redefined what’s possible in circular manufacturing — not just for Domtar, but for our entire industry.”
Completed in 2023, the two-year conversion project transformed an uncoated freesheet paper machine into Domtar’s first 100% recycled containerboard facility. Today, the mill produces approximately 600,000 tons of high-quality recycled linerboard and corrugated medium annually, consuming nearly 700,000 tons of recycled boxes and paper — the equivalent volume of nearly 1.5 Empire State Buildings.
As part of its commitment to circularity, the mill repurposed 31,500 tons of concrete and brick from the demolition of the former structure to serve as foundation fill for the new facility — a move that eliminated roughly 1,000 dump-truck trips and kept large volumes of material out of landfills. Additional sustainability innovations include a two-thirds reduction in daily water use, the transition to lithium-ion-powered vehicles, and a closed-loop partnership with Food City, which recycles corrugated boxes from nearly 150 stores into new packaging materials.
Miles Burdine, President and CEO of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, praised Domtar’s contribution to the community: “Domtar has been an incredible corporate partner to our city and region, and this national recognition reinforces what we already know here in Kingsport — that this company is helping lead the way in sustainability and innovation. The mill’s transformation is not only a remarkable industrial achievement but also a powerful example of how business growth and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand to strengthen our community.”
Earlier this year, Domtar introduced its 2030 Sustainability Strategy, a comprehensive roadmap outlining the company’s long-term goals in responsible resource management. Continuing this commitment, Domtar also released its sustainability report, Building on Strong Legacies, celebrating the company’s ongoing progress and environmental achievements.
The Kingsport Mill’s recognition by the NRC exemplifies this vision in practice, highlighting how sustainable innovation can deliver measurable benefits for both the environment and the local economy. The Fred Schmitt Award was officially presented during the NRC Annual Conference Awards Reception, held on October 2 at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.
Jan Martin, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Domtar, commented: “Domtar’s Kingsport Mill sets a new benchmark for circularity and sustainable manufacturing in the forest products industry. The Fred Schmitt Award underscores how innovation and collaboration can deliver lasting environmental and community benefits.”
