Ahead of the Curve

‘Make in India’ vs. Making Paper in India: A Balancing Act?

20 Sep 2017 This is an excerpt from an article originally published in the Jun-Jul 2017 issue of Paper Mart India magazine (www.papermart.in). With the incessant and nagging challenges of raw material availability, adherence to environmental norms, and competing with swiftly increasing cheaper imports, India’s pulp and paper industry has the arduous target of creating 1,000,000 tonnes (metric tons) of integrated capacities in pulp, paper, and paperboard to meet consumption demands—a daunting task without conducive policy environment. Does the Indian government’s “Make in India” campaign take stock of challenging manufacturing conditions in this vital industry? The editors of Paper Mart India interviewed experts in India’s growing pulp and paper industry to learn more.

Best Papers highlight new research in Coating & Graphic Arts, Process Control

12 Jul 2017 By Monica Shaw (The following is excerpted from the June, 2017 issue of TAPPI Journal, an industry-leading peer-reviewed research publication available every month to TAPPI members.)

Mountains of waste could lead to new U.S. manufacturing, jobs

21 Jun 2017 By Kathleen Phillips, Texas A&M University Researchers at Texas A&M University are exploring ways that lignin waste from pulp and paper operations can be transformed into carbon fibers used in a range of products from tennis rackets to automobiles.

TJ 2016 Best Research Paper: Mining Big Data to improve pulping and papermaking operations

31 May 2017 By Monica Shaw TAPPI and the TAPPI Journal (TJ) Editorial Board have selected the 2016 TAPPI Journal Best Research Paper Award winning paper: “Leveraging mill-wide big data sets for process and quality improvement in paperboard production,” authored by Jianzhong Fu and Peter W. Hart. The paper appeared on p. 309 of the May 2016 issue. This research was recognized by the Editorial Board for its innovation, creativity, scientific merit, and clear expression of ideas among the eight nominated papers.

Paper Airplane Day is a thing, and it’s terrific

24 May 2017 We all love holidays, but we gripe about them too: Long drives through snowstorms. Over-commercialization. Weird sweaters. Diet-busting meals that take forever to prepare and clean up after. True, “the holidays” offer a great reason to gather for fun with family and friends—but most holidays don’t focus the fun nearly enough on something that really matters to Ahead of the Curve readers: PAPER. What if you could celebrate a holiday with none of the hassle, but ALL of the paper? That’s National Paper Airplane Day.

Women in Manufacturing: Making an Impact

17 May 2017 The Manufacturing Institute, Deloitte and APICS have released a study titled “Women in Manufacturing: Stepping up to make an impact that matters.”

The Knowledge Trail

03 May 2017 MURRAY ELLIS One of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of my career in the pulp and paper industry has been the opportunity to investigate and solve problems. The problem-solving process means that you are discovering, adapting and generating new information to address the problem at hand. In simple terms, you are acquiring knowledge in the pursuit of a solution. However, sometimes this problem-solving process does not find a solution easily.

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.

Paper Industry Hall of Fame Honors Six

08 Jun 2016 “To celebrate all things paper – the wonder and the legacy” is the established mission of the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame in Appleton, Wisconsin. Since its first induction ceremony in 1995, the Hall of Fame has worked to recognize individuals who, through their inventions, initiative and efforts, have built or improved paper and allied industries worldwide.

Moving maintenance from reactive to proactive

29 Jul 2015 My experience has taught me that most folks working in the pulp and paper industry don't have an understanding of what it takes to change a reactive maintenance department to a proactive and reliable one.