Ahead of the Curve Archive

The Great Magazine Comeback: Remembering the Appeal of Print

23 Jul 2025 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach that intends to hold brand owners, licensees, importers, and distributors accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially the take-back, recycling, and final disposal. This strategy aims to incentivize producers to design environmentally friendly products by making them responsible for the costs associated with the end-of-life management of their products.

5 Steps: A Clear Path Toward Reliability Improvement

12 Jan 2022 Previously, I have argued that maintenance should be responsible primarily for “equipment reliability” and work in close partnership with operations; that the primary responsibility of operations is “process reliability”; and that engineering would control life cycle cost (LCC). Today, I will suggest how plant management can plan a clear path toward reliability improvements.

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.

A Papermakers’ Last-Minute Gift Guide

22 Dec 2021 Each year through the month of December, we are inundated with articles touting “the perfect gift for…” every type of person on your shopping list. This year, why not give them the perfect gift FROM… a papermaker!

The Future of Sustainability at Pulp and Paper Mills

15 Dec 2021 Metsä Fibre’s Kemi bioproducts mill, set for startup in late 2023. No fossil fuels will be needed in production, and renewable energy will be sold from the mill to external customers. (Photo: Metsä Fibre)

Paper shortage hits American retailers when they need it most

08 Dec 2021 [This article was originally published September 24, 2021, in the Pittsburg Post-Gazette. It is publicly available at the Post-Gazette website, and is offered here for Ahead of the Curve readers who may have missed it.]

World Bioeconomy Forum Declaration 2021

17 Nov 2021 This Declaration was originally published by The World Bioeconomy Forum, a global platform for circular bioeconomy stakeholders to share ideas and promote bio-based solutions, at https://wcbef.com. The following is Part 2 of a two-part series offered to share this important work with Ahead of the Curve readers.

World Bioeconomy Forum Declaration 2021

10 Nov 2021 This Declaration was originally published by The World Bioeconomy Forum, a global platform for circular bioeconomy stakeholders to share ideas and promote bio-based solutions, at https://wcbef.com. The following is Part 1 of a two-part series offered to share this important work with Ahead of the Curve readers.

PPC Announces Paperboard Packaging Competition Winners

03 Nov 2021 PPC Announces Paperboard Packaging Competition Winners

Brazil’s Pulp, Paper and Forest Sector Investing R$35.5 Billion through 2023

27 Oct 2021 Brazil’s Pulp, Paper and Forest Sector Investing R$35.5 Billion through 2023