Where yesterday’s boxes become tomorrow’s packaging
At Domtar, closed-loop circularity is more than a concept — it’s a process we put into action every day at our Kingsport, Tennessee mill. Here, we transform recovered fiber, primarily old corrugated containers (OCC), into high-quality, 100% recycled containerboard. This approach keeps fiber in use longer and supports a packaging ecosystem where materials continue to flow, do not go to waste.
In a closed-loop system, materials are recovered after use and returned to manufacturers to become the same type of product, reducing the need for new raw inputs. Other commodities that often participate in closed-loop recycling include aluminum and glass.
How the Loop Works
Each year, our Kingsport mill converts nearly 700,000 tons of recovered paper into new rolls of 100% recycled containerboard. After leaving our mill, these rolls are shipped to our customers who convert them into strong, reliable corrugated boxes. When those boxes reach consumers, they’re used, collected, and recycled again — ultimately returning to recycled paper mills like ours, where the cycle begins again. It’s a system that keeps valuable fiber circulating and maximizes the usefulness of every box.
Built on Partnership
Closed-loop circularity depends on collaboration across the value chain. Our work is made possible by the customers who convert our containerboard into boxes, the recycling partners who collect and sort recovered fiber, and the communities whose participation keeps materials flowing. Together, we help ensure that the boxes used today can continue their life as the packaging of tomorrow.
What Closed-Loop Circularity Means for Packaging
Closed‑loop recycling keeps materials circulating at high quality by turning used products back into the same type of product—again and again. Unlike traditional recycling, which often “downcycles” materials into lower‑value items, closed‑loop systems preserve material performance and reduce the need for new resources.
Domtar’s high-quality, 100% recycled containerboard demonstrates that recycled materials can deliver the performance and quality brands expect. By keeping recovered fiber in circulation and converting it into premium containerboard, we help support a resilient, resource-efficient packaging system that benefits converters, brands, and consumers alike.
Visit https://www.domtar.com/packaging/ and learn how we can help you create high‑performance packaging that supports your sustainability goals.
