Ahead of the Curve Archive

Dynamic New Platform to Protect Forests Worldwide

26 Feb 2014 The World Resources Institute (WRI), Google, and a group of more than 40 partners have launched Global Forest Watch (GFW), a dynamic online forest monitoring and alert system that empowers people everywhere to better manage forests. For the first time, Global Forest Watch unites the latest satellite technology, open data, and crowdsourcing to guarantee access to timely and reliable information about forests.

95% of Canadians can now recycle paperboard boxes, cartons

20 Feb 2014 Canadians can no longer say they’d love to recycle their old paperboard boxes but can’t do it where they live. That’s because virtually all Canadians now have access to the convenient recycling of both corrugated boxes and paperboard or boxboard cartons. The actual access numbers, calculated by independent consulting firm CM Consulting, are 96% and 95% of Canadians, respectively. The numbers update a paper industry study conducted four years ago that placed access numbers in the 83% to 85% range.

Producing heat and electricity together is an energy winner

17 Feb 2014 Sometimes what’s old becomes new again, and cogeneration, which is more than 130 years old, is gathering momentum across the world.

USDA Publishes Final Rule, Establishing Paper Check-off Program

29 Jan 2014 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the final rule for the Paper and Paper-based Packaging Promotion program (Paper Check-off). The rule establishes the program and states the assessment of 35 cents per short ton on printing and writing, containerboard, paperboard and Kraft paper will begin on March 1, 2014. Companies assessed are ones producing or importing 100,000 short tons or more of the four covered grades. Newsprint and carbonless papers are not included in the program.

The New Strategic Role of Human Resources

29 Jan 2014 Today, the human capital leader from the human resource (HR) function of an organization is emerging as a true business partner to the enterprise. They must be operational-excellent and customer-focused to other business units. Five trends are responsible for changing and shaping the role of a human capital leader in a global manufacturing enterprise.

Nanotechnology + Renewable Materials = Opportunity

22 Jan 2014 The combination of nanotechnology and renewable materials offers a potentially significant commercial opportunity for the forest products industry.

Oji further restructures its Japanese packaging business

15 Jan 2014 Oji Holdings, the diversified Japanese-based paper and forestry group, has in the last few weeks announced further steps in an ongoing restructuring of their business portfolio. Three paper machines, namely PM 10 in Fuji #2 mill and the #B-1 and #B-2 paper machines in Tokai Fujinomiya, will terminate production. The production of corrugated medium on PM 10 will be taken over by PM #N-1 in Fuji Oji Paper mill (aka Fuji #1). PM #N-1 which is currently idle will be rebuilt before resuming production. The white board part of the production output from PMs #B-1 and #B-2 will be transferred to other sites within the group.

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.