KINGSPORT, Tenn. (From news reports) - The Domtar paper mill in Kingsport shut down production of writing paper in April 2020, as the novel coronavirus pandemic cut budgets by $200 million and over 300 people were laid off.

The mill was idled and was originally supposed to reopen after three months. Then came the announcement that the paper mill would cease to produce uncoated freesheet, but would make recycled linerboard and medium instead.

He said 685,000 tons of recycled paper a year is to be converted into packaging instead of going to a landfill at the Kingsport mill.

"It's a $350 million project; we're converting it from fine paper writing grades to brown board packaging," Wilson said.

Going from over 300 employees to just over 150, he said Domtar is changing not only in look but production as well.

The hourly workforce was brought back to Domtar in three waves starting Nov. 29, 2021, then the second wave began training on Jan. 4, with the final wave returning Jan. 31. The waves followed the construction schedule around the mill.

"This will be new equipment to them, so we're teaching the operators how to run the new operation at the moment," Wilson said.

The mill is essentially shrinking, he explained.

He explained that the chemistry necessary to produce the finer paper Domtar used to make is no longer viable or necessary at the Kingsport mill because of the new production system.

"There's a little more hustle and bustle than it was. Construction pieces will continue to flow through the summer as systems become available for checkout and commissioning. We'll be checking out and commissioning those," he said.

The mill is set to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2022.