Week of 11 May 2026: Costly Transportation

The US interstate highway system is 70 years old this coming June 29th. In many ways, this has been the most transformative change in the United States culture ever. Heck, I was even inspired to solo drive the 48 contiguous states in less than seven days, which I did in 2005. Small, local businesses and manufacturers were motivated to build larger factories to capitalize on the scale afforded by this highway system. We did so in the pulp and paper industry, at the cost or savings (depending on your point of view) of thousands of jobs.

More on Innovation

UPM Specialty Materials and Felix Schoeller announced that they introduce customizable, fiber-based solution for flexible food packaging.

U-Turn in Policy: How Transportation Reforms are Reshaping the Paper Industry

The current administration has shifted transportation policies in ways that directly affect large industries like pulp and paper, because the previous focus on "equity" and "climate-focused" infrastructure grants has been replaced by a clear priority on industrial output, economic efficiency, and traditional infrastructure. Here are the critical policy shifts reshaping transportation for the paper industry...

Efficiency Effects - Jevons Paradox

In the 90's there was a vision for what business called the "paperless office." The advent and adoption of computers, email, cheap printers, database recordkeeping, etc. was supposed to drive office paper usage into the dustbin of history. What did we actually experience? US office paper consumption rose 14.7% between 1995 and 2000. Despite the digital tool kit, people in the office environment printed more drafts, emails, and files than ever before. This effect, or some would call it a paradox, has a name...Jevons Paradox.

Which mill to close?

Last year in the United States there were approximately 140 mill or converting plant closures or curtailments resulting in the loss of approximately 20,000 jobs. Nobody likes this, but when the health of the business is at stake these repulsive decisions need to be made.

When the Sprinklers Aren't Enough

The Ontario warehouse fire and what it reveals about the response gap in high-fuel-load facilities.

[Adv.] Sebright Products

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

AF&PA Statement on the EU's EUDR Review: No Fixes, More Risk

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock has expressed disappointment that the European Union declined to make the practical changes needed for workable, risk-based implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) for U.S. forest products manufacturers.

Trish Witkowski and Ford Bowers Headline FSEA Print Embellishment Conference Programming

The FSEA Print Embellishment Conference, taking place June 17-19 in Nasvhille, Tennessee, has announced its complete lineup of speakers and sessions for the conference.

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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.

Class action lawsuit alleges that Graphic Packaging misled investors

A shareholder filed a class action lawsuit against Graphic Packaging International on May 7 alleging the company and certain C-suite executives violated federal securities laws by misleading investors. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Kruger Inc. invests $333 million in producing plastic-free wipe materials

Kruger Inc. has announced a $333 million investment marking its entry into the nonwovens sector and advancing its long-term portfolio diversification strategy. This new division will focus on manufacturing some of the industry's most sustainable materials for a broad range of wipe applications.

Massive Kimberly-Clark Ontario, California warehouse set on fire by alleged arsonist to be demolished

It took 175 firefighters to extinguish Ontario's 1.2-million-square-foot Kimberly-Clark paper goods warehouse allegedly set alight by a disgruntled employee who wanted higher pay on April 7.

DS Smith invests in Romania packaging sites

International Paper brand DS Smith has invested more than €14m ($16.4m) into its production network in Romania.

Cause of 3-alarm blaze that hurt firefighter at Pratt Industries Staten Island paper mill remains undetermined

Nearly 200 emergency responders battled what officials described as a deep-seated blaze three-alarm fire at a paper recycling facility on Victory Boulevard for more than 12 hours Thursday, officials said.

EU approves unconditionally Brazil pulp giant Suzano's $3.4 billion Kimberly-Clark deal

The ‌deal ⁠is also being investigated by the UK watchdog.

Kodiak AI Launches International Autonomous Trucking Operations and Enters Logging Industry

Kodiak Driver will haul timber from forest sites in Alberta, Canada later this year.

Marcal Paper adds TAD paper production with St. Catharines mill purchase

Marcal Paper has acquired the St. Catharines Tissue Mill in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, from BiOrigin Specialty Products. The mill, founded in 1912, produces TAD parent rolls for premium paper towel and bath tissue products alongside a range of specialty paper grades. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Stora Enso Spins Off Swedish Forest Estate as Bergslagets Skogar

The 1.2-million-hectare entity is set to become Europe's largest listed forest company.

Firefighters battles blaze at Pratt Industries Staten Island paper mill; 1 firefighter injured

The FDNY responded Thursday morning to a fire at the Pratt Industries paper recycling facility in Travis.

Södra develops a new paper pulp - combining forest raw materials with oat hulls

Södra is taking the next step in its innovation journey with the launch of Södra blue S - a new type of paper pulp that combines softwood fibres with oat hulls from Swedish grain processing. The initiative is a concrete example of how Södra explores new solutions while using resources more efficiently to create value and contribute to a more circular future.

Twin Rivers Paper acquires Potsdam Specialty Paper, adding 26,000 tons of annual capacity

Twin Rivers Paper Company has acquired Potsdam Specialty Paper Inc. (PSPI), a manufacturer of specialty latex, acrylic and saturated base papers, in a move that adds 26,000 tons of annual production capacity.

Essity initiates strategic review of the Consumer Tissue business area

Essity initiates a strategic review of the Consumer Tissue business area's global operations. The review will evaluate strategic alternatives with the aim of creating the best possible conditions for the Consumer Tissue business and the Group to develop to their full potential and maximize value creation.

Graphic Packaging beats estimates, reaffirms outlook as shares surge

The company said it is actively addressing headwinds through cost-cutting initiatives, including workforce reductions.

Suzano set to win full EU nod for $3.4 billion Kimberly-Clark deal, sources say

Suzano, ⁠the world's largest pulp maker, ⁠is set to win unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $3.4 ​billion joint venture with U.S. consumer goods giant Kimberly-Clark, two people with knowledge of ‌the matter said.

Firefighters battle overnight railcar fire at Smurfit Westrock Hopewell, Virginia paper mill for hours

The incident was brought under control in about four hours after crews arrived "largely due to the density and composition of the materials involved," officials said.

Domtar: Plenty of interest in buying Crofton mill

Domtar said in a statement that it is exploring a variety of possibilities for the future of the waterfront site, and North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas said a number of interested parties have contacted the municipality directly looking to buy the site for a range of potential uses, including manufacturing, energy production, and other industrial purposes.

DS Smith packaging plant set to close with loss of 167 jobs due to 'tough trading conditions'

DS Smith looks set to close one of its South West sites with the loss of all 167 jobs.

Suzano Sells 12.7 Million Tonnes of Pulp for the First Time in Its History

Suzano, the world's largest pulp producer, announces its results for the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26), achieving a new all‑time record in pulp sales. Over the 12‑month period from April 2025 to March 2026, the company sold 12.7 million tonnes of pulp, the highest volume ever recorded in its history. During the same period, Suzano also sold 1.7 million tonnes of paper across the packaging, printing and writing, specialty, and tissue segments.

Mondi and Dreco launch powder detergent packaging with 50% post-consumer recycled content

Mondi and Dreco have created new powder detergent packaging with 50% post-consumer recycled content, reducing reliance on virgin plastics and helping Dreco stay ahead of future regulatory requirements.

Lecta launches plastic-free paper cup board

A unique paperboard solution: SUPD-compliant, recyclable and based on renewable resources.

Mercer International Misses Q1 Estimates on Higher Costs and Weak Demand

The company posted a net loss of $52.0 million, or $0.78 per share, compared to analyst estimates calling for a loss of $0.56 per share.

Sappi North America Earns EcoVadis Platinum Rating, Sixth Since 2020

The recognition places Sappi among the top 1% of companies assessed by the global business sustainability ratings provider.

Domtar Wins 2026 Sustainable Forestry Initiative Leadership in Conservation Award

Domtar is proud to announce that it has been selected as the winner of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)'s Leadership in Conservation Award. Since 2007, this annual award has recognized an SFI Certified organization, a team of partners or a research- or conservation-related individual for outstanding conservation achievements and innovation.

Tony Smurfit presented with Distinguished Leadership Award by The Ireland Funds

This award recognizes an individual whose leadership and pioneering contributions have made a lasting impact on the world. At the event, Tony was commended for being an 'outstanding' business leader for his role at the helm of a packaging giant which spans 40 countries.

UPM introduces receipt materials for order accuracy at quick-service restaurants

UPM Adhesive Materials, a global supplier of innovative self-adhesive label materials, launches UPM QuickStick™ receipt materials, designed to help quick-service restaurants (QSRs) improve order accuracy and speed of servicing customers. It delivers reliable labeling performance across various food packaging surfaces, such as paper wraps, cardboard boxes, coated packaging, and plastic containers.

Sonoco Chief Accounting Officer Aditya Gandhi resigns; CFO Joachimczyk to act as principal accounting officer

Sonoco Products Company reported that Chief Accounting Officer Aditya Gandhi has notified the company of his intention to resign, effective May 29, 2026.

Georgia-Pacific updates its barcodes to speed EPR reporting

Georgia-Pacific has started tracking package weight, materials and origins -- alongside traditional retail metrics -- using existing barcodes.

Sylvamo Releases First Quarter Earnings

Sylvamo generated a net loss of $3 million and adjusted EBITDA of $29 million, representing a 4% margin. Cash used for operating activities was $10 million, and free cash flow was negative $59 million.

Magnera Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results with Solid Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA Growth

Magnera Corporation reported its second-quarter results for 2026, revealing net sales of $796 million and an operating income of $17 million.

Novolex Appoints Marco Hilty as President, International, Industrial & Beverage Business Unit

Hilty is responsible for setting the IIB business unit's strategy, strengthening commercial execution, and driving financial results. He is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will report to Novolex Chairman and CEO, Stan Bikulege.

Interview with University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Paper Science and Engineering Graduating Senior Ethan Fisher

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Ethan Fisher, a graduating senior in the program, and we asked him a few questions about his experiences at UWSP.

Student Spotlight: Graduating senior Aimee Lambert 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 Aimee Lambert, who is a graduating senior in the program. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at Western Michigan.

Student Spotlight: Senior Avery Hendl 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 Avery Hendl. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at Miami.

Student Spotlight: Interview with N.C. State Paper Science and Engineering junior Abby Hickman

Abby Hickman shares her experiences at N.C. State.

Interview with University of Maine senior Kenzie Karpinski

The University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation leads a partnership between the University of Maine, the Pulp and Paper industry and aspiring engineering students. Its role is to recruit, support and prepare talented engineering students to become the next great leaders in the pulp and paper industry, while also helping to meet the workforce needs of the industry, specifically in chemical, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering. Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with senior Kenzie Karpinski. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at UMaine.

Student Spotlight: Cameron Borner of Minnesota, graduating in Spring 2026

At the University of Minnesota, the Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (BBE) program prepares students to solve real-world problems with practical, sustainable solutions. It brings together biological sciences, engineering principles, and technology to address society's growing demands for material, food, and energy using renewable resources. Cameron Borner is a student in the program, and he shares some of his experiences at Minnesota.

UMaine student leads development of new low cost, mass-manufacturable microdroplet generators

Microdroplet generators are devices that produce tiny, precise liquid samples used for large-scale drug testing, cosmetics, cell analysis and scientific research.

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.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Capital Arguments for March 2026

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.