Week of 21 July 2025: Housekeeping: Look Up

If you are keeping up with the housekeeping series this month, as you read the first two columns, you were in a posture of looking down or looking at eye level. Admit it. There is plenty of items up in the air, big items, that are housekeeping hazards as well.

More on Innovation

Mondi announced it is launching its re/cycle PaperPlus Bag Advanced, a high-performance paper bag designed to protect humidity-sensitive goods, while significantly reducing plastic content. And Sonoco recently announced its partnership with NaturGrops GmbH, a newly established family-owned company dedicated to delivering natural, high-quality, and sustainable dog snacks, by providing an eco-friendly packaging solution.

Maintaining Excellence: The Power of Proper Housekeeping

It's cringe-worthy that on April 28th, Newark Airport Control Tower had their computers using Windows 95 and floppy disks at one of the nation's busiest airports - it was indeed especially cringe-worthy for those landing that day. (Remember: with Windows 95 you could still enter and wipe an entire disk drive.) During the terrifying 90-second air traffic controller blackout pilots were able to keep tabs on each other as they circled midair. Thankfully - even miraculously - no one was hurt.

Luddites 2.0

Over time, "Luddite" became a term for anyone resisting technological change, though the original movement was more about labor rights than a blanket rejection of progress. We have now reached a point in history, and technological advancement, that virtually EVERY knowledge-based worker is in jeopardy of being augmented, then replaced with algorithms.

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.

Patent Applications and Patents

Digital Twin

In 1984 during my 3rd year in college I got a co-op job at a far-away paper mill. That meant I needed to buy my first car. That car died in the middle of nowhere on my way to that paper mill. I had the usual display of analog gauges on the dashboard, but I had no way of knowing that the fuel pump was going to fail. Today, cars are loaded with data. Sensors have proliferated throughout vehicles and our dashboards present a full suite of information which just might tell you that you better fix a fuel pump before you are stranded. This data does not have to be isolated to your vehicle.

[Adv.] RMR Mechanical

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

The Hidden Cost of "Paperless": Rethinking the Environmental Impact of AI and Digital Communications

For more than a decade, the message "go paperless, go green" has been used by companies and organizations encouraging customers to opt for digital over print. But as we know from our own research and newly emerging data, this long-standing assumption is due for a rethink.

FSEA Announces 32nd Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Award Honorees

Winners Celebrated at 2025 AMPLIFY Print

Read the monthly Industree 4.0 newsletters here

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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.

Fire at Weyerhaeuser mill in Edson, Alberta

Edson Fire Department crews arrived promptly and worked in close coordination with the ERT to bring the fire under control.

It's almost here: Two-day online auction for former Ponderay Newsprint mill assets set for July 22-23

A unique opportunity to acquire high-capacity paper manufacturing equipment and mill support assets is set to unfold as three leading industrial asset management firms--PPL Group, CRG, and Rabin Worldwide--join forces to conduct a public auction of the former Ponderay Newsprint Mill located in Usk, Washington. The auction will be held online and the two-day sale will be on July 22nd and July 23rd. Pre-Auction offers are encouraged.

Greif Announces Start of its First Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) in Europe

Under the 12-year agreement, Greif will purchase approximately 100 GWh per year of clean, renewable energy, helping the company offset an estimated 65% of its Scope 2 emissions in Europe and 3% of its combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions globally.

Cascades invests more than $3.5 million in its Kingsey Falls tissue plant

Cascades, the leader in environmentally responsible packaging and hygiene product manufacturing, is proud to announce it has recently invested $3,560,000 to upgrade a strategic converting line at its Kingsey Falls tissue plant.

Thousands sign open letter to Pixelle Chillicothe, Ohio paper mill's parent company

In an open letter, Ross County business and government leaders said the sudden shift from closing at the end of the year to shutting down on Aug. 10 not only disrupted the future planning of families and businesses, but also damaged the trust between H.I.G. Capital and the community.

Employees evacuated from Smurfit Westrock Joplin, Missouri facility following machine fire

Deputy Fire Chief Andy Nimmo said that the response was due to a machine fire in the facility. Employees were evacuated from the building while crews put out the fire.

Georgia-Pacific breaks ground on $191 million expansion of northern Ontario mill

Design and engineering work has reportedly started, and Georgia-Pacific says that the project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2027.

Fire damages Proctor & Gamble Green Bay, Wisconsin paper mill; firefighter taken to hospital

Firefighters were on-scene for four hours. One was taken to the hospital as a precaution due to a medical condition.

Sonoco Announces $30 Million Capital Investment to Expand Adhesives and Sealants Market Capacity

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in value-added sustainable packaging, is pleased to announce a $30 million capital investment to expand its production capacity in the growing adhesives and sealants (A&S) market. This strategic initiative will add 100 million additional units of annual capacity, ensuring Sonoco continues to meet increasing market demands while enhancing supply security.

Northern Pulp to initiate sale of assets

Nova Scotia's minister of natural resources says it's 'not the outcome we had hoped for'

Kadant Acquires Babbini and GPS Engineering to Expand Fiber Processing Capabilities

Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Civitella di Romagna, Italy, Babbini is a recognized leader in screw press technology and dewatering applications for multiple industrial sectors, including paper recycling. GPS, based in Legnano, Italy, enhances Babbini's capabilities with system integration expertise and custom gearboxes for demanding industrial applications.

Two-day online auction for former Ponderay Newsprint mill assets set for July 22-23

A unique opportunity to acquire high-capacity paper manufacturing equipment and mill support assets is set to unfold as three leading industrial asset management firms--PPL Group, CRG, and Rabin Worldwide--join forces to conduct a public auction of the former Ponderay Newsprint Mill located in Usk, Washington. The auction will be held online and the two-day sale will be on July 22nd and July 23rd. Pre-Auction offers are encouraged.

Suspect in Smurfit Westrock facility officer-involved shooting released from hospital, in jail

The man accused of shooting an officer and a Smurfit Westrock manufacturing facility employee in Lower Valley last month was released from the hospital and booked into jail.

Sappi Europe plans to close paper machines at Alfeld mill in Germany; up to 200 jobs could be affected

To ensure long-term viability, the proposed restructure includes the potential closure of Paper Machine 1, Paper Machine 4, Offline Coater 2, and Sheet Finishing.

Kruger Products' Memphis site announces new converting line for bathroom tissue and paper towels

Kruger Products Inc. announced that its subsidiary, K.T.G. (USA) Inc. will be investing approximately $35 million in a new converting line for bathroom tissue and paper towels at its site in Memphis, TN. The installation is expected to be completed in Q2/2026 and will create about 20 jobs.

Cascades announces the permanent closure of its Niagara Falls corrugated medium manufacturing operations

Cascades Inc. announces that its corrugated medium manufacturing facility in Niagara Falls, NY will be permanently closed as part of the optimization of the Company's packaging production platform. Production will end no later than September 3, 2025.

OSHA fines contractor for fall at Sappi Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine

The federal agency fined a Washington-based contractor, that employed the worker who was seriously injured, about $13,000, records show.

Ontario Protecting Forest Sector Jobs and Workers

The Government of Ontario is protecting workers and jobs in the forest sector by investing over $9.1 million in five research, innovation and modernization projects in Eastern Ontario. The investments from the Forest Biomass Program will help boost Ontario's forest sector's competitive advantage by creating new jobs, increasing productivity and opening up opportunities for revenue streams in new markets.

Two-alarm fire at southwest Charlotte, N.C. Sonoco recycling center

Firefighters were able to get the fire under control in 50 minutes.

DS Smith unveils cardboard trays for automotive headlights

DS Smith Tecnicarton has introduced cardboard trays for automotive headlights, aimed at replacing conventional expanded polypropylene (EPP) solutions.

Södra posts $37 million operating loss as second quarter sales fall 4 percent

Södra posted a negative result for the second quarter of 2025. The result was strongly impacted by the current uncertain external environment combined with rapid currency fluctuations and continued high raw material prices.

Mercer Mass Timber and CLT Toolbox Launch First-of-Its-Kind Digital Integration to Advance Mass Timber Adoption in North America

Mercer Mass Timber (MMT), a leading manufacturer of sustainable timber building materials and a subsidiary of Mercer International Inc., announces a strategic partnership with CLT Toolbox, a structural design software platform built specifically for mass timber buildings.

Have you tried the Paperitalo Supplier Directory lately?

If you are looking for goods and services in the pulp and paper industry, you need to check out the Paperitalo Directory!

Essity reports quarterly earnings below market hopes

The company's adjusted EBITA margin increased to 13.7% from 13.5% in the first quarter.

Huhtamaki launches new compostable ice cream cups

Innovative packaging that is recyclable and compostable, further expanding Huhtamaki's ice cream portfolio.

UFP Packaging Launches First Tool-Free Crate System, Leading the Way on Safer Supply Chains

Reusable U-Loc 200 fasteners address one of the shipping industry's biggest safety challenges.

Domtar focus on consolidation and sustainability to become North America's Largest Pulp and Paper Group

Pulp and paper group, owned by Jackson Wijaya, is positioned as one of the 25 most sustainable business in the world.

Smurfit Westrock wraps up prestigious Legrand innovation award

Nertop® - Smurfit Westrock's sustainable pallet wrap solution - was named first place in the Sustainability category after 180 entries were submitted and assessed.

AF&PA Appreciates U.S. Administration Efforts to Address Non-Tariff Trade Barriers

EUDR continues to pose a critical trade risk for U.S. paper manufacturing .

Georgia-Pacific and Trackonomy Bring Real-Time Visibility to Plywood Shipments Ahead of Hurricane Season

Partnership enables just-in-time plywood deliveries to Home Depot and Lowe's as demand surges for hurricane preparedness supplies.

Lecta, Aligned with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Working to Ensure its Full Implementation

New procedures have been established, while IT systems are being prepared to ensure proper compliance.

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 June 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.

Check out the Paperitalo Library

Items just for you

About SAP Selects

This section contains a collection of Paperitalo articles highlighted by SAP for their relevance to how the paper and packaging industry is evolving and how technology can help support that progress.

Just around the corner now

A bit of technology five years in the making. It is about time.

Pulp & Paper Radio International Program Schedule and Archives

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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.