Mr Piilonen worked for the Finnish-based, international pulp production company UPM before he was appointed by Gunns to head up the Bell Bay pulp mill project two years ago.

He is sad because he still believes that the Bell Bay mill is a viable project.

Gunns told the Australian Securities Exchange earlier this week, when it announced its appointment of voluntary administrators, that the company was disappointed that it would not be able to pursue its proposed restructuring transaction which was aimed at making the pulp mill project ready.

Mr Piilonen was hired by the company for his expertise in running pulp mill construction after project managing a number for UPM, including one in Uruguay.

Mr Piilonen, who has been part of the company's senior management team since he arrived, said this week that the decision by Gunns to appoint an administrator had not been a sudden one or a surprise.

``But it's like someone that has been sick for a long time and you know that they will die,'' said Mr Piilonen.

``It is still always sad when they die.''

Mr Piilonen said that he was not yet sure what his future with Gunns would be.

``Let's wait for the administrator to take over the company and see,'' he said.

He said that he had ``no idea'' whether his former Finnish employer would be interested in investing in the pulp mill project.

But he said that he still believed in the project.

``We (Gunns) have not done enough as a company to get a partner,'' he said. ``I stay because all the numbers from a basic industrial logic are there.

``We have a good mill site so everything makes sense - on paper it should work.''

Gunns managing director Greg L'Estrange has not returned The Examiner's calls this week.

Tasmanian Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone said that the trust had sought legal advice on whether the permits for Gunns' proposed pulp mill would still be valid if the project was sold.

``Our advice was that the permits don't stipuate a proponent,'' he said. ``That is the reason why permits would survive Gunns' demise.''