Inside Domtar’s Kingsport Mill: Q&A With Butler, Ashley
dles, ready for efficient forming and filling. The resulting packaging protects products through distri- bution while supporting merchandising and product com-
It’s been three years since Domtar’s Kingsport Mill’s con- version to a 100 percent recycled packaging mill was cel- ebrated at its grand opening event, and it’s been nearly three and a half years since the first roll of containerboard was produced successfully at the mill. We asked Mike Butler, senior director of sales for Dom- tar’s packaging business and vice chairman of AICC’s As- sociate board, and Laura Ashley, channel marketing man- ager for packaging products, about Domtar’s packaging products and how the mill and product line are performing, three years into producing 100 percent recycled contain- erboard. What kinds of recycled containerboard products are made at Domtar’s Kingsport Mill? The Kingsport Mill manufactures two types of premium, 100 percent recycled containerboard: Performance Liner- board and Performance Medium, both components used to manufacture corrugated packaging, like boxes used for e-commerce shipments. Our containerboard is produced in large rolls and sup- plied to corrugated converters, where it is combined into corrugated sheets and die-cut into custom box blanks with integrated features such as handles, flaps, and ventilation. These blanks are folded, glued and stacked into flat bun-
Laura Ashley and Mike Butler.
munication at the point of sale across industries—from food and beverage to electronics, apparel, and automo- tive parts. How does the quality of Domtar’s products compare to past 100 percent recycled containerboard products? Domtar entered the containerboard market in 2023 with the transformation of the Kingsport Mill, investing in state-of-the-art recycled papermaking technology to produce containerboard that performs and looks very dif- ferently from earlier recycled grades. So, we are glad you asked the question because our recycled containerboard is nothing like the recycled containerboard of yesteryear.
SIMPLE DESIGN, SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY & EASE OF MAINTENANCE Engineered Recycling Systems takes decades of engineering experience and integration expertise to provide turnkey solutions. We design, service and install world-class recycling trim removal and dust control systems. By providing our customers with equipment and system designs that deliver unprecedented levels of quality and craftsmanship, our solutions increase efficiency and cut labor costs.
STATE-OF-THE-ART, HIGHLY-ADVANCED DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM Safety-Driven Design
www.engineeredrecycling.com
info@engineeredrecycling.com
4 July 13, 2026
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker