Ahead of the Curve

Can Plastic Go Green?

25 Sep 2019 This article originally appeared on Science|Business Publishing, a news and media organization that brings together a network of universities, companies, and research and policy organizations that creates a uniquely powerful forum for driving innovation forward. This article was written in partnership with The Estonian Research Council and the European Research Development Fund (ERDF). It is shared here with permission. https://sciencebusiness.net/news/can-plastic-go-green

To Canfor, Pulp Is Much More than a Commodity

18 Sep 2019 The following is an excerpt from the Sept/Oct issue of Paper360°, and is offered here as a special “sneak peek” for Ahead of the Curve readers. For the full article, the latest issue of Paper360°, and much more content, visit www.tappi.paper360.org.

Enlist Opinion Leaders to make change happpen

11 Sep 2019 Many people believe you must persuade the majority for change to occur. This is a myth. Instead, we should focus our efforts on a small but influential subgroup known as Opinion Leaders to get a new idea adopted.

Let’s Talk Tissue!

04 Sep 2019 For those interested in tissue, TissueCon 2019 offers a great opportunity to explore the latest research and technology in the field. This special “sneak preview” of a few of the most-anticipated research-oriented sessions was first presented in the July issue of TAPPI Journal, and is shared here for Ahead of the Curve readers who may have missed it.

The Circular Economy: A Mindset Companies Need As Well

28 Aug 2019 The Circular Economy: A Mindset Companies Need As Well

Anheuser-Busch and Sustainability

21 Aug 2019 With more than 100 brands—including Michelob ULTRA, Busch, Stella Artois, Goose Island, and of course, Budweiser—no North American brewer is associated more closely with American beer (and Clydesdale horses) than Anheuser-Busch. The company was founded in 1852 and now has about 18,000 employees and 23 breweries that span the continental US from Los Angeles, CA, to Baldwinsville, NY. As a high-profile company that depends on natural resources, Anheuser-Busch takes sustainability very seriously.

E-commerce to shape the future world for packaging

14 Aug 2019 E-commerce sales are redefining the retail landscape across the world, and the role and value chain for packaging sold for online trade. This is presenting new business opportunities for packaging converters and material suppliers¬¬—especially in the corrugated sector.

RCM and the Myths of Human Error

07 Aug 2019 I enjoyed reading Shane Bush’s article, “The Myths of Human Error,” in the July/August 2019 issue of Paper360°. (Read the article here.) Bush points out, “most of the influences on human error come from organizationally-controlled processes—for example, procedures, tools, or communication.”

Paper Cups: A Responsible Consumer Choice

31 Jul 2019 Enjoying a cup of coffee or tea on the go can help make our busy lifestyles a little more tolerable. It affords busy parents a moment of nirvana as they rush to deliver kids to school and get to work on time, and provides everyone the option to enjoy their beverage of choice even if they don't have time to finish it in store. The facts support a compelling case that the makers of paper cups—the paper and wood products industry—have a long commitment to sustainable business practices that protect the environment, spur innovation and advance recycling.

Is Bath Tissue Really Wiping Out North American Forests?

24 Jul 2019 According to a recent Fisher International "Insight" article, a February 2019 report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) resulted in several news articles and stories stating, "The Issue with Tissue." The NRDC report focused criticism on North American bath tissue producers for the amount of virgin fiber used in their products and the impact on the environment resulting from the cutting of boreal forests for the virgin fiber supply. It also reported that integrated virgin fiber mills use almost twice as much water and produce more air pollutants than recycled mills. The NRDC called on the tissue producers to shift to recycled content and sustainable alternative fibers, such as wheat straw and bamboo.