Week of 19 January 2026: Stepping up the game

Last week we talked about organizational and protocol changes you could make to improve your maintenance efficiency. We focused on the tools necessary to do the maintenance function, i.e., turning wrenches, and reading volt meters. I want to stay with the same functions this week but bring them to current times.

More on Sustainability

Red Leaf Pulp, a Canadian company, is pioneering North America's first large-scale, non-wood pulp mill using wheat straw to make high-quality pulp for sustainable packaging, tissue and molded products.

From Antarctic Ice to Mill Uptime: The Rise of AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance in Mills

While researching for my writing, I was poring over a stack of HR materials when I came across a highly popular LinkedIn article on the subject. It was spectacularly out of touch - in fact, the advice would've invited eye rolls in every paper mill and been tossed in the garbage, it was so impractical.

Seeing Around Corners

There's a critical skill in both business and in life that involves seeing into the future...accurately. It involves the ability to "read the tea leaves" as some people say. The idiom originates from the ancient practice of tasseography, a form of early fortune-telling that involved interpretation of loose tea leaf formation at the bottom of your empty cup. Sounds ridiculous to me, but hey, some people put their belief behind such parlor games. However, in the ensuing centuries, better leading indicators were developed to shine some light on what both the short-term and long-term future look like. In other words, how you should play the game to win.

From Ambition to Action: Setting Meaningful Environmental Targets in the Pulp, Paper and Packaging Industry

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance is increasingly measured by how well companies define and meet internal environmental targets. For the pulp, paper, and paper-based packaging sectors, setting clear and credible goals is no longer optional - it's essential.

Closed Loop ERP

The closed loop ERP is the end of the rainbow for Industry 4.0. The promise of Industry 4.0 is the enterprise that is fully connected from the plant floor to the top of the enterprise with real time data used for automated processes.

[Adv.] DPAS

(Adv.) SAP offers you an easy direct link to their breaking developments

Report: Paper Trail to Nowhere, Investigative Findings on Domtar

The company, formerly known as Paper Excellence, was previously investigated in a 2022 report by Greenpeace Canada and partner organizations, which exposed its complex ownership structure, including links to Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) and the larger Sinar Mas Group -- companies with a documented track record of environmental and human rights violations. This led to hearings with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources (RNNR) to which Wijaya failed to appear and participate to clarify his company's activities.

Greenpeace Canada investigation reveals Domtar's lobbying resulted in over $200M of Canadian public funds

A two-part investigative report released today by Greenpeace Canada reveals that Domtar, the largest pulp and paper company to ever operate in Canada, has been receiving significant amounts of public funds from the government while expanding corporate control on the forestry industry with limited transparency and accountability. Domtar's operations cover 22 million hectares of forest across Canada, or almost 10% of all managed forest land across the country.

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Fiber Processing

Steam and Condensate Chronicles

Where is Jim this week?

As I travel, I am always looking for someone to go to dinner with, share a barbeque sandwich lunch and so forth.

Miami student receives Paperitalo Publications endowed scholarship

Natalie Lang, left, is shown receiving the Paperitalo Publications endowed scholarship from Jim Thompson, at the Miami University Paper Science & Engineering Foundation Meeting, April 8, 2025. Natalie will be a sophomore in the fall.

Amcor Completes One-for-Five Reverse Stock Split

The reverse stock split was approved by Amcor shareholders at its annual general meeting of shareholders held on November 6, 2025. Amcor filed an amendment to its memorandum of association to effect the reverse stock split on January 14, 2026.

Arcadia Paper Mills completes purchase of paper mill in St. Helens, Oregon

Arcadia Paper Mills has completed its purchase of the former Boise paper mill in St. Helens, Oregon, marking the start of its plan to return manufacturing to the city.

West Fraser Timber facility in Solway, Minnesota Fined by MPCA for Air Permit Violations

MPCA investigators say West Fraser paid a fine of $15,250 for air permit violations.

Domtar to halt operations at Ignace sawmill in Ontario by March 2026

Domtar will shut down its Ignace, Ontario, sawmill indefinitely on March 12, cutting about 25 jobs as it reduces lumber production by 150 million board feet in early 2026 across Canada and the U.S.

An indefinite strike has been called at the Kruger plant in LaSalle

The union members had already walked off the job once for 36 hours on Nov. 21 and 22, then a second time for seven days starting on Dec. 10. This indefinite strike is therefore their third walkout.

Ahlstrom, in collaboration with Vincit, successfully completed an SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud rollout in just four weeks

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, together with its digital business partner Vincit, set and achieved an ambitious goal: to implement a fully operational ERP system, SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud, at one of their factories within a month.

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper gearing up to resume production

Corner Brook mill has been shut down for nearly two and a half months.

West Fraser records $409 million goodwill impairment in Q4 2025 lumber segment

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. will record a $409 million non-cash impairment of goodwill in its lumber segment for the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting sustained economic challenges and revised assumptions in its annual impairment test.

Stora Enso proposes six members for board of new forest company ahead of demerger

Stora Enso Oyj has proposed six members for the Board of Directors of the new forest company to be separated from Stora Enso through a planned demerger in the first half of 2027.

Michigan permit would cut emissions at Graphic Packaging Kalamazoo paper mill

Michigan regulators say a proposed air permit for a Kalamazoo paper mill would reduce air pollution by permanently retiring two older boilers and an older production line while consolidating factory output on newer equipment.

Discontinued lawsuit against Essity regarding bond loans

The funds that have brought an action against Essity in the English courts regarding bond loans issued by the company have chosen to discontinue their action. The case is therefore closed.

Woodland Pulp reopens to New Brunswick wood

Spokesperson Scott Beal said it remains unclear how much the mill will purchase from New Brunswick sources going forward.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Announces the Appointment of Scott M. Sutton as Chief Executive Officer

Sutton, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Olin Corporation, brings more than three decades of global leadership experience in the chemicals and materials sectors, including a proven track record of operational excellence, disciplined capital allocation, and transformative value creation. During his tenure at Olin, he led the company through significant business platform upgrades, strengthened its financial position, and advanced key strategic initiatives that improved the company's competitive positioning and enhanced shareholder value.

Fire breaks out at Smurfit Westrock packaging plant in Maple Grove, Minnesota

Smurfit Westrock, a producer of sustainable paper and packaging, laid the first stone of its new production plant in Cajeme, Sonora, in which it will invest US$65 million.

Graphic Packaging Holding announces $4 million retention package for executive

Graphic Packaging Holding Company disclosed that its Compensation and Management Committee approved a retention package for Joseph P. Yost, Executive Vice President and President, Americas. The package includes a $2 million cash retention bonus and a grant of service-based restricted stock units (RSUs) valued at $2 million.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Enters Temporary Power Agreement with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has agreed to a short-term power purchase agreement with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited to buy clean hydroelectricity. This agreement provides the Provincial Government an opportunity to review and consider Kruger's proposed approach to diversification at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper.

Two Vancouver Island wood manufactures receiving nearly $8 million in funding

Western Forest Products' value-added division in Chemainus will receive $7.5 million to add two new continuous dry kilns to its manufacturing operation.

Fire at UFP Industries facility in Oregon

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Mercer Peace River Pulp and Svante begin six-month CO₂ capture demonstration unit

Mercer International Inc.'s subsidiary Mercer Peace River Pulp and Svante Technologies Inc. have started operating a carbon dioxide capture demonstration unit at the Peace River pulp mill in northern Alberta, Canada.

Smurfit Westrock Security Concepts Promotes Eddie Ingram to Finance Manager

Smurfit Westrock Security Concepts (SWSC), the internationally recognised high security printing and identity management solutions provider, is pleased to announce the promotion of Eddie Ingram to the position of Finance Manager.

Mativ Holdings Finalizes Separation Agreement with Former CFO

Mativ finalized a January 8 separation deal with ex-CFO Weitzel.

MindFire and Sylvamo Partner to Deliver Hands-On USPS Promotions Workshop

MindFire, Inc., a leading marketing automation platform for direct mail, today announced a comprehensive hands-on workshop sponsored by Sylvamo Corporation, the world's paper company. The workshop, scheduled for January 22, 2026, will feature Carl Boettner, USPS Program Manager of Products and Services, providing live demonstrations of the Business Customer Gateway, alongside industry insights from postal experts.

Mativ & Miru Expand Partnership to Accelerate eWindow Commercialization for Automotive Markets

Mativ Holdings, Inc., a global leader in specialty materials, today announced an equity investment into Miru Smart Technologies ("Miru"), a leading smart window technology developer, to deepen their strategic partnership and prepare Miru for commercial production of its dynamic electrochromic window ("eWindow") technology. This investment furthers the Miru-Mativ partnership as technical validation and commercial readiness work continues, targeting vehicle platforms.

Mondi recognised with nine WorldStar Awards for packaging innovation

Mondi's nine award-winning solutions showcase innovation across paper-based, recyclable and high-performance packaging.

Saica Pack Provides Forthglade with National Trust Pooch Passport Engagement Tool Signs

Saica Pack, the division of the Saica Group that produces corrugated board packaging, has supported customer Forthglade by producing signage to be displayed at carefully selected National Trust places across the UK. For fun, visitors can take a picture of their dog posing by the signs at twelve National Trust properties participating in the Pooch Passport scheme.

Sappi: strong sustainability performance confirmed by CDP A List 2025

Sustainable forestry is significant for its role in protecting environmental integrity, supporting social wellbeing, and enhancing long-term economic resilience.

UPM receives leadership scores in CDP 2025 assessment

UPM has reaffirmed its leading position in sustainability by achieving leadership-level scores in the 2025 CDP assessment. The company's rating reflects its environmental efficiency and transparent reporting on climate, forest, and water-related actions.

Have You Heard of Sauna Fashion? A Steaming Hot Clothing Collection Made of Finnish Forests is Challenging the Textile Industry

Concrete solutions don't usually grow on trees. But when they do, they grow in Finnish forests. Kuura Saunawear collection demonstrates that fashion doesn't have to be unecological, showing that change for the better is possible

Metsä Group's summer job application opens - wide range of positions for motivated summer trainees across the group

Metsä Group has received positive feedback as a summer employer: 94 per cent of last summer's summer employees would recommend us to a friend.

Carbon Footprint Innovation Award to Borregaard

The award highlights Borregaard's leading role in low-carbon innovation and sustainable solutions.

Quad: 27 marketing trends and predictions for 2026

Marketing trends in 2026 reveal a paradox for brands: rising AI-driven discovery alongside demand for real, human connection.

Miami University Paper Science & Engineering Foundation names Mike Lopane as new executive director

Mike will assume the Executive Director's role on January 1, 2026 with the retirement of our current Executive Director, Dr. Gary Rudemiller. Gary has been in this role for eight years now, and we wish him well in his retirement.

Interview with University of Maine senior Justin Pelletier

The University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation was incorporated in 1952 by 12 UMaine graduates financially supporting and preparing well-educated engineering students for careers in the pulp and paper and allied industries. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with senior Justin Pelletier. We asked him a few questions about his experiences at UMaine.

Student Spotlight: Tatum Havard of Georgia Tech

Paperitalo Publications was able to interview Tatum Havard, and we asked her a few questions about her experiences at Georgia Tech.

Student Spotlight: Caleb Breining of Western Michigan

The Western Michigan University Paper Technology Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation founded by industry leaders in 1958. The mission of the corporation has been and continues to be to support the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering at Western Michigan University. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Caleb Breining, who is a junior in the program. We asked him a few questions about his experiences at Western Michigan.

Student Spotlight: Levi Arnold of Syracuse

Paperitalo Publications interviewed senior Levi Arnold and we asked him about his experiences at Syracuse.

Interview with UWSP Paper Science and Engineering Junior Troy Knutson

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Troy Knutson, a junior in the program, and we asked him a few questions about his experiences at UWSP.

Student Spotlight: Jacob Kanuk of Miami University

The Paper Science & Engineering Foundation at Miami University was founded in 1960 through the donations of several local paper mills and corporations who wanted to ensure the education of future paper engineers. The foundation continues to actively work with students in the paper science and engineering program at Miami University. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with senior Jacob Kanuk. We asked him a few questions about his experiences at Miami.

Student Spotlight: Eilee Keske of Minnesota, graduating in Spring 2025

At the University of Minnesota, the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering discovers and teaches solutions for the sustainable use of renewable resources and the enhancement of the environment. Eilee Keske is a student in the program, and she shares some of her experiences at Minnesota.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Capital Arguments for December 2025

Check out TALOtech groups on LinkedIn

The purpose of the TALOtech groups on LinkedIn is to provide a convenient forum for people working within the manufacturing part of this industry to share technical and operating related dialog to promote safe and competitive operations.

Energy & the Environment News

Your contributions are welcome in this department, regardless of point of view. A few criteria--if you send us a copyrighted piece, also provide a permission to publish statement from the owner. We will not publish overtly political pieces or anonymous pieces.

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Volatility in the OCC/wastepaper market, trends in the recovered fiber and sustainable packaging markets

We welcome Myles Cohen, founder of Circular Ventures, LLC, to discuss the volatility in the OCC/wastepaper market, plus trends in the recovered fiber and sustainable packaging markets.