The paper industry in Maine faces significant hurdles to its survival. Decreases in paper use, increased competition and high energy prices are all factors. There were 35 paper mills in Maine in the early 1900s. Today, there are only five operational paper and pulp mills left in Maine, employing between 2,500-3,000 workers. New investments in mills in Rumford and Skowhegan have workers, company officials and industry analysts cautiously optimistic that the decline is temporary. In Rumford, 530 mostly union workers produce 430,000 tons of paper and 100,000 tons of market pulp a year. Its output is 100% virgin white paper, which ends up as copy and printing paper, food bags for fast-food chains, direct mail materials, white liner for shipping boxes and more. The company is betting that it can capitalize on trends to replace plastic-based products, including single-use plastics, with paper-based products.