Industry News

Check Out 2021’s Top 5 Episodes of ‘Better Together’

05 Jan 2022 Welcome to 2022—a year that is already promising challenges and change for the pulp, paper, and packaging industries. While we’re still basking in that New Year glow and writing “2021” on all our checks, let’s take a look back at some of the biggest hits of the past year. No, these are not Billboard chart-toppers or Broadway spectaculars; instead, we have rounded up the five most downloaded episodes of our industry podcast, “Better Together: Conversations with Innovative Leaders.” To make sure you’re leaving 2021 on a high note, check out these episodes you may have missed—and subscribe to the podcast for fresh new monthly content in 2022.

National Poll Shows Overwhelming Parent Preference for Physical Books Over Digital

01 Sep 2021 This article excerpt is based on an exclusive interview that TAPPI conducted with Brian Dietz, Cascades Tissue Group. It originally ran in the most recent issue of Tissue360° magazine. Access the complete article here.

Partnership to Advance Cellulosic Nanomaterial from Wood

08 Jan 2014 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a public-private partnership to rapidly advance the development of the first U.S. commercial facility producing cellulosic nanomaterial, a wood fiber broken down to the nanoscale. The partnership is between the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) and the U.S. Forest Service.

Industry 4.0: New Lexicon, No Limits

20 Oct 2021 This article originally ran in the Sept./Oct. 2021 issue of Paper360°, and is being shared here for Ahead of the Curve readers who may have missed it.

Canadian dollar depreciation is credit positive for most Canadian industries

23 Apr 2014 A depreciating Canadian dollar is generally credit positive for Canadian companies, says Moody's Investors Service.

Holiday Gift Book Guide for Papermakers

20 Dec 2017 Each year through the entire month of December, we are inundated with “Holiday Gift Guides” touting perfect presents for almost everyone on your shopping list. Yet there is one special group of people I rarely see addressed specifically: papermakers, and those who support them. A one-year membership in the Jelly of the Month club might be fine for all the Clark Griswolds in your life, but what about the millwrights, service reps, superintendents, team leaders, project managers—everyone from the mill floor to the C-suite offices who dedicate their careers to producing the pulp, paper, and packaging that improve our lives?

Print and Paper Packs a Punch in a Digital World

04 Oct 2017 BY PHIL RIEBEL Results of an international survey by Two Sides provides unique insight into how print and paper is viewed, preferred, and trusted by consumers around the globe. In June 2017, a survey of over 10,700 consumers was commissioned by Two Sides and carried out by leading research company Toluna. Nationally representative surveys were undertaken in ten countries: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Redefining the Future: News from PaperCon 2017

26 Apr 2017 This annual event combines an expert-led technical program with a world-class exhibit. AoTC reports back from Minneapolis on some of this week’s event highlights.

Mentors Can Make A Difference

19 Apr 2017 Got relationship goals? A new ‘Mentor Match’ program for the pulp, paper, and related industries can help. Building leadership skills, gaining process knowledge, and collecting sage advice are all benefits associated with having a mentor. Mentors can also help their mentees gain that almost intangible “feel for the industry” that can lead to higher job success and satisfaction. According to a recent article by Forbes.com contributor Kaytie Zimmerman, “among millennials, there is a collective shout to employers to develop them, mentor them, and give them opportunities to lead. Companies that offer their youngest employees the ability to grow within their organization are more likely to hang on to them or prevent job-hopping.”

Well-managed forests are key to a low carbon future

22 Mar 2017 PHIL RIEBEL In countries such as Canada and the US, continually improving sustainable forest management practices will play a key role in mitigating climate change and ensuring a long-term wood supply. Yesterday (March 21) was celebrated around the world as International Day of Forests and this year’s theme was Forests and Energy.

Side-stream, byproduct – or revenue source?

15 Mar 2017 “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” the saying goes. Yet this need not only apply to resale store bargains and attic discoveries. For pulp and paper companies, the concept of finding value in process by-products can mean large-scale gains. These additional revenue sources are a boon in a highly competitive global market, and are sparking the development of innovations that boost sustainability as well as the bottom line.

Prisma finds application for biomass waste lignin

15 Feb 2017 CORTNEY ROARK Using feedstock that includes locally-sourced switchgrass, a Knoxville, TN company has developed technology that produces high-value applications from lignin. The company’s CEO, Adam McCall, Prisma Renewable Composites, was interviewed recently for a story in the Knoxville News Sentinel.

UPM prepares its own PEFC certification group

11 Jun 2014 UPM is expanding its certification services in Finland and is preparing an application of its own PEFC group certificate in 2014.

Finland to lead the way in developing storage of solar and wind energy

09 Jul 2014 VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has joined forces with Lappeenranta University of Technology and the Finland Futures Research Centre at the University of Turku, in the launch of an extensive development project for a brand new energy system and its associated business sector in Finland.

Research & Development in the Pulp and Paper Industry

10 Dec 2014 A recent Paper 360° article (“Pulp and Paper Innovations,” July/August 2014), highlighted eight significant innovations: aseptic packaging, chlorine-free bleaching, high filler content paper, twin wire forming retrofits, extended nip presses, highly energy efficient chemical recovery boilers, millwide control systems, and biochemical production.

Sappi and Edinburgh Napier University discover new process to make nanocellulose

25 Feb 2015 Scientists from Edinburgh Napier University and Sappi have developed a low cost way to turn wood into a wonder material that could be used to build greener cars, thicken foods and even treat wounds.

Emissions drop at UK Paper Mills in 2014

15 Apr 2015 Figures released by the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) confirm a continued fall in emissions from UK paper mills.

Global forest and paper industry makes progress on sustainability commitments

13 May 2015 The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) has released its 2015 Sustainability Progress Report which shows improvements on a range of sustainability indicators and focuses on the industry’s contributions toward a green economy.

Interview with Theodora Retsina, CEO of American Process Inc.

03 Jun 2015 Q: What is the topic of your keynote speech at the upcoming TAPPI conference?

2016 AF&PA Sustainability Award Winner

16 Nov 2016 The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) presented its 2016 Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Awards at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 11 in Cary, NC. Five AF&PA member companies received awards from 23 outstanding submissions across the industry.