Ahead of the Curve Archive

Award Spotlights Innovations in Cellulosic Applications

11 Oct 2017 BY MARK RUSHTON AND JAN BOTTIGLIERI A new award category in the prestigious annual PPI Awards competition is designed to honor industry innovation. For this inaugural run, the judges have selected five project finalists that expand the limits of what can be done with renewable cellulosic materials.

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.

Four technologies poised to disrupt the specialty paper market

27 Sep 2017 In its latest research, Smithers Pira has identified four novel technologies that are set to increase capacity and enable new product opportunities for manufacturers of specialty papers across the next five years. The new report—The Future of Speciality Papers to 2022—provides a comprehensive overview of this important sector of the paper industry. It incorporates both higher volume applications, like flexible packaging and label stocks, and more niche segments like electrical insulation, filtration, and security papers.

‘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.

Survey Will Spark New Standards For Tissue and Towel

13 Sep 2017 As the global population continues to expand, the tissue sector (along with packaging) has been a top performer among pulp and paper industry grades. Demand for tissue and towel products, in both the at-home and away-from-home markets, continues to grow. A report from paper industry intelligence provider Fisher International predicts that, by 2025, the global tissue industry will have more than 1000 newly-built tissue machines producing a wide variety of tissue and towel products.

Ready to Compete for Another Century

06 Sep 2017 BY GRAEME RODDEN Note: The full version of this article will appear in the forthcoming September/October issue of Paper360°. This excerpt is offered here as a “sneak peek” for AoTC readers.

Scientists Share Genetic Data of Poplar Trees

30 Aug 2017 This largest-ever SNP dataset may be useful to scientists studying biofuels and lignin. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have released the largest-ever single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset of genetic variations in poplar trees, information useful to plant scientists as well as researchers in the fields of biofuels, materials science, and secondary plant metabolism.

Don’t overlook tissue converting

23 Aug 2017 By Bruce Janda, Innovaspec The North American tissue business has become one of the most dynamic sectors in the paper industry. No one could have imagined 20 years ago that the number of tissue producing companies would be growing markedly today, instead of shrinking due to expected consolidation. The number of tissue operating companies has increased by 39 percent in the last ten years. The next two years will see the addition of more than 455,000 tpy of tissue capacity. We appear to be in the middle of an explosion of new tissue capacity additions as we continue to hear frequent announcements about new machines. This will require tissue makers to improve our game to remain relevant.

Silver Fir Has Edge Under Changing Climate Conditions

16 Aug 2017 As reported this month by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) in Switzerland, as well as in other European countries, Norway spruce and European beech trees are struggling to keep pace with the rapidly changing climate. This poses risks for the country’s forestry sector, which relies on spruce wood. A study by the WSL shows that these risks could be mitigated by relying more on silver fir and using Norway spruce from warmer growth locations.

PaperChase is More Than Fun

09 Aug 2017 For more than 30 years, the PaperChase Fun Run, in one form or another, has been an annual event held at a TAPPI Conference. Runners, walkers, and supporters from every area of the pulp and paper industry have come together to raise scholarship funds for deserving engineering students in our industry. Ahead of the Curve would like to share some of the history of the event—to thank the hundreds who have made their mark while making a difference.