Domtar owner Jackson Wijaya has inherited ownership of Asia Pulp & Paper Group (“APP”) from his father, Oei Tjie Goan. This does not change Domtar’s commitment to sustainability throughout our operations, nor does it change our organizational structure. Jackson has every intention of maintaining APP and Domtar as separate business entities and brands, with completely separated governance, finances, and structures.
Jackson Wijaya Inherits APP Shares
Jackson Wijaya comes from an entrepreneurial family, spanning generations. Jackson decided to follow the family tradition of launching his own independent business. Having attended the University of Michigan, Jackson was familiar with North America and felt that it was the right place to branch out on his own, founding what is now known as Domtar.
Fast-forward several years, under Jackson’s ownership, the company has grown from a few assets to an institution with a significant presence in Canada and the United States, as well as operations in France and Brazil.
Last summer, Jackson’s father informed him that, as part of his succession planning, he had made the decision to transfer ownership of APP from himself to Jackson. This transaction was approved by the European Commission in December.
The notification from the European Commission used the word “acquires” to describe this selection of Jackson to be the new owner of APP. However, Jackson is “receiving” from his father the ownership of the shares in APP at a time and in the manner chosen by his father. This is not what many would consider an “acquisition” — it is the receipt by Jackson from his father of the shares as part of a prudent succession-planning exercise.
What This Means for Domtar
Jackson’s inheriting APP shares has no impact on Domtar, and any suggestion to the contrary is ill-informed and patently false.
At Domtar, and its predecessor Paper Excellence, Jackson has imbued and emphasized the need to operate responsibly in a highly regulated global market — from an environmental sustainability and innovation perspective, as well as an understanding that meaningful partnerships with its local communities is paramount to a successful enterprise.
Domtar’s commitment to environmental sustainability has never wavered, nor will it now. The company ensures that 100 percent of its forest management, chain of custody and controlled wood adhere to internationally-recognized standards. By sourcing fiber exclusively according to FSC, SFI or PEFC guidelines, Domtar safeguards the environmental integrity of its operations. That will not change.
In addition, there will be no changes to how Domtar operates, including its governance and management. The company’s day-to-day operations will continue under the direction of its experienced Management Board and enforced under its Code of Conduct and Business Ethics and global sustainability policy, ensuring consistency, continuity and a commitment to sustainability and ethical behavior. Any engagement with APP will occur at arm’s length, understanding that Domtar’s priority continues to be doing what is right for its own stakeholders.
Domtar’s End Markets
The markets to which Domtar sells its products will remain global, as is typical for industries like pulp and paper manufacturing. Canada is an exporting nation, with exports driving 31 percent of the country's gross domestic product [source: FPAC]. In industries like ours, domestic demand alone is insufficient to sustain operations. Roughly 80 percent of Domtar’s manufactured paper products and 100 percent of its lumber and wood products are sold to customers in Canada and the United States, while pulp is exported internationally.
As shared with Canada’s Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Domtar is not seeking to increase its sale of pulp to China — either before or after Jackson’s inheritance of APP shares. Any suggestion that Domtar would shift Canadian production to Asia is not only unfounded but would also be economically unfeasible. The company remains focused on operating efficiently to meet the needs of its established markets while upholding its commitments to sustainable and responsible production under North American regulations.
Unwavering Commitment to Certification and Sustainability
The Domtar companies have been a proud supporter of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) since its inception, with a strong track record of adhering to the highest standards of sustainable forest management and responsible fiber sourcing. Domtar has enthusiastically taken many tangible steps to demonstrate our commitment to FSC principles over many years, and our full commitment to sustainable forest management and responsible fiber sourcing will never waver.
Domtar is engaging directly and cooperatively with FSC to ensure that its certification, which is a result of its long history of sustainable forest management and responsible fiber sourcing, is unaffected by Jackson’s ownership of APP.
Stewardship of Forest Lands
Domtar’s approach to forest management is grounded in responsibility and collaboration. In Quebec, where most of the 22 million hectares of Canadian forest lands we manage are located, the provincial government is responsible for forest management. As in all Canadian provinces where we operate, these lands are publicly owned and governed by provincial authorities.
Domtar and its predecessor companies maintain management responsibilities for certain forests across Canada:
- In Quebec and Ontario, Domtar owns 200,000 hectares of land under strict regulations as well as third-party certified forest management standards.
- In Ontario, Domtar manages 3.9 million hectares of Crown land under strict federal and provincial regulations.
- In Saskatchewan, Domtar collaborates with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council through Mistik Management to sustainably manage 1.9 million hectares of forest.
- In Nova Scotia, the Domtar sister companies own and manage 171,200 hectares of forest and hold a Crown license for an additional 73,000 hectares.
In the United States, we partner with private forest landowners to sustainably manage their forests and procure our fiber. We continue our partnerships with the American Forest Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and the Four States Timberland Owners Association.
These efforts demonstrate Domtar’s commitment to sustainable forest management, guided by provincial and federal legislation and rooted in partnerships with local communities and Indigenous groups.
Charting a Path Forward
As Domtar moves forward, we remain committed to our core principles: sustainability, innovation and community. Jackson's vision to empower experienced executives and embrace technological advancements ensures that the company will continue to lead the way in environmental responsibility and operational excellence.
Domtar’s independence and operational integrity endure, regardless of any developments outside of the company. The company’s focus on its established markets and diversified client base ensures stability and success for the long term. Together, our employees, partners and stakeholders are not just preserving Domtar’s legacy—we are building a future rooted in sustainable growth and shared success.
