Week of 3 November 2025: Quality--what is it?

In his senior years, my Dad was a modelmaker at Kenner Toys in Cincinnati. If I remember correctly, they were on the 13th floor of the Kroger Building in downtown Cincinnati. Before 3-D printing, CAD, and long before AI, these model makers made all the prototype toys by hand (with the aid of machine tools when appropriate). Dad could work in any medium--plastic, steel, aluminum, clay, hard rock maple, you name it. He was always good with his hands. I currently have a bowling ball (child size) and a folding pocket knife he made out of deer antlers and old files (which he said were very good steel). A friend of mine has one of his landscape paintings hanging in his bedroom.

How Electric Power Could Drive Paper Mills to Net-Zero Emissions

In a recent press release from NC State University, it announced that electric powers could bring paper mills to net zero emissions.

AI in Industry 4.0: The Hidden Environmental Footprint

As Industry (or Industree) 4.0 moves forward and mills continue to modernize and update, AI integration is surging. However, the staggering energy demands of AI reveal a significant challenge, raising surprising concerns about sustainability and resource consumption.

Krafty Women

My introduction to the amazing world of papermaking began in 1990. That was the very first class my freshman year of college in Paper Science & Engineering. Of the 60 or so freshman also in that class, there were like 6 females in a sea of males. I think that kind of scene played out in many universities offering STEM fields of study in those days. Interestingly, the freshman class dwindled to about 40 by the time we reached graduation several years later. It was a difficult curriculum after all. That kind of turn-over was not unusual. ALL of the women from freshman year made it to graduation and landed a permanent position somewhere in the field of papermaking.

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

The Nucleus of Industry 4.0

The human race has been in an eternal search for the laws of nature. There came a time when the idea of the atom originated. People like Becquerel, Rutherford, Chadwick, Curie, Einstein, and others studied and tested to better understand the atom until the time came that we knew enough about it that we can use it, for better or worse. The result of this yielded capabilities such as the following...

[Adv.] RMR Mechanical

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

ISA's Automation.com Gets an Upgrade, Refreshing Its Digital Experience

The International Society of Automation (ISA) -- the leading professional society for automation -- has relaunched its news publication for the global automation community, Automation.com, with a refreshed design and improved site navigation based on ISA technical content topics. This upgrade offers a more modern look and feel with advanced search capabilities and more intuitive topic organization.

AF&PA Calls on EU to Address Non-Tariff Trade Barriers Following Proposal to Delay EUDR Implementation

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

Read the monthly Industree 4.0 newsletters here

Check out the monthly newsletters here or subscribe and have them emailed to you hot off the press!

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.

Kruger Corner Brook mill hitting pause on newsprint, citing low water levels having impact on power supply

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper will temporarily pause newsprint production starting Monday due to low water levels impacting the ability of Deer Lake Power to supply sufficient energy to operate the mill.

Weyerhaeuser completes $459 million timberland acquisitions and advances $410 million divestitures

Weyerhaeuser Company reports it completed two timberland acquisitions valued at $459 million and advanced three divestitures of non-core properties totaling $410 million in expected proceeds. The company confirms the third divestiture will close in early 2026 and expects the total cash inflow from all sales to exceed the funds spent on the acquisitions.

Sappi Europe completes closure of Alfeld mill assets, cuts 180 positions

The measure will result in the reduction of approximately 180 positions through unfilled vacancies, voluntary agreements, and redundancies.

Georgia-Pacific will close Illinois box plant, affecting 134 employees

Georgia-Pacific notified employees Oct. 30 it plans to permanently shut its box plant in Mt. Olive, Illinois, by Dec. 31, according to Lauren Campen, senior manager of public affairs and communications for corrugated.

Community of Ear Falls, Ontario rallies to support forestry jobs

Unifor members in Ear Falls, Ont., gathered at the municipal government building to call for immediate action to reopen the Interfor Ear Falls sawmill that recently shut down production.

Smurfit Westrock to close California corrugated facility, affecting 141 workers

Smurfit Westrock plans to permanently close a corrugated sheet and box facility in California, and 141 employees will be affected, according to a company worker adjustment and retraining notification letter the state.

International Paper swings to quarterly loss on $1 billion impairment charge

The company posted a net loss of $1.10 billion, or $2.09 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, compared with a profit of $150 million, or 43 cents per share, a year earlier.

Kimberly-Clark beats quarterly sales estimates as demand holds for household staples

Net sales of $4.2 billion were in line with prior year with organic sales growth of 2.5 percent offset by divestitures and business exits.

Domtar celebrates one year under united brand

Domtar is proud to celebrate its one-year anniversary of uniting under a single brand: Domtar - The Fiber for the Future. The year has been one of expansion, achievement and living Domtar's new values.

Clearwater Paper reports $53 million loss in third quarter

Company's stock prices drop as solid bleached board continues to be oversupplied.

Weak pulp and paper demand cuts UPM's EBIT 47% in Q3, high wood costs and low pulp prices weigh on results

UPM-Kymmene reported a 47% decline in comparable EBIT to Euro 153 million in the third quarter of 2025 as weak global pulp and paper demand and elevated wood costs continued to pressure earnings. Group sales fell to Euro 2.3 billion, down from Euro 2.5 billion a year earlier.

International Paper Cantonment mill spills nearly 2 million gallons of wastewater into Eleven Mile Creek

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is reporting that International Paper in Cantonment spilled nearly 2 million gallons of treated wastewater and stormwater into Elevenmile Creek after heavy rain.

Smurfit Westrock cuts profit forecast on weak U.S. demand

The Ireland-headquartered company now expects full-year adjusted core earnings (EBITDA) to rise by between 4% and 8.5% to between $4.9 billion and $5.1 billion, from a previous $5.0 to $5.2 billion range.

Crews respond to fire at Domtar's Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp

Chris Stoicheff with the mill said there are no reports of injuries. It is unknown how the fire started.

Ahlstrom workers launch class action, claim wage shaving and overtime violations

Workers claim Ahlstrom shaved time and miscalculated overtime, sparking a class action in Wisconsin.

Beach Energy Inks Gas Supply Deal With Visy

Beach has partnered with prominent recycling and manufacturing company Visy through a new two-year natural gas supply contract.

Worker dies following workplace incident in Smurfit Westrock Florence Co., South Carolina facility, officials say

Separately, this week other defendants filed individual and collective motions to dismiss the containerboard price collusion lawsuit.

Interfor shuts down Gogama sawmill for two weeks

Union head expects shift reduction, extended layoff of 25 workers come November.

Chief Financial Officer of Metsä Board Corporation to change; Anssi Tammilehto appointed, Henri Sederholm will leave the company

M.Sc. (Econ.) Anssi Tammilehto has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the Corporate Leadership Team of Metsä Board Corporation. He will start in the new position no later than February 2, 2026, and will report to CEO Esa Kaikkonen.

Mayr Melnhof Karton: Foli and MM Board & Paper collaborate to optimise corrugated cardboard sheeting and printing performance

A recent joint initiative between Foli ES, a leading packaging converter in Mexico, and MM Board & Paper has demonstrated the impact of close technical collaboration on improving production outcomes in corrugated cardboard and cardboard boxes manufacturing.

Weyerhaeuser Co Third Quarter Profit Increases, Beats Estimates

The company's bottom line totaled $87 million, or $0.12 per share. This compares with $28 million, or $0.04 per share, last year.

Sylvamo North America LLC and International Paper Company Amend Riverdale Supply Agreement and Terminate Agreement

Pricing under the Supply Agreement increases with volume purchased, at stated volume thresholds, to provide International Paper Company with an incentive to produce greater volume as it commences winding down operations at the Riverdale Mill. Sylvamo North America, LLC's right to acquire sheeting assets located at the Riverdale Mill, which is set forth in the Supply Agreement, is clarified and amended. Sylvamo North America, LLC shall acquire all Sheeting Asset at the Mill for a purchase price equal to $1.00.

Tork Issues Tools and Support for Reimagining Public Restrooms

Tork, the global leader in professional hygiene and an Essity brand, recently released new guidance aimed at helping businesses transform their restrooms into assets that enhance user satisfaction and benefit business performance. Citing research that indicates a significant gap in user and cleaner satisfaction, Tork recommendations focus on improving inclusive hygiene, environmental sustainability and operational efficiency.

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!

UPM Adhesive Materials unveils a global showcase of premium performance label materials for wine and spirits

UPM Adhesive Materials unveils a curated collection of Premium Performance label materials for wine and spirits packaging. Each material has been selected for its advanced converting properties, exceptional performance in the wine and spirits sector and ability to elevate brand and consumer experience. The collection is featured in a new sample folder, available in European, North American, South American and Asia-Pacific markets.

Acme Mills Named U.S. Distributor of Ahlstrom's New Optipad™: A High-Performance, Sustainable Filter Pad for Extended Cooking Oil Life

Great Lakes Filters a division of ACME MILLS LLC, a leading North American manufacturer and converter of high-performance textiles and filtration products, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Ahlstrom - the global leader in combining fibers for innovative and sustainable specialty material. Acme Mills will serve as a distributor of Optipad™ leveraging its decades of filtration and textile converting expertise to bring this high-value product to market with efficiency and scale.

Rengo's Thai joint venture acquires 60% of Indonesian packaging manufacturer Mypak

Thai Containers Group Co., Ltd., a joint venture of Rengo Co., Ltd., will acquire a 60% stake in Indonesian corrugated packaging manufacturer PT Prokemas Adhikari Kreasi, commonly known as Mypak.

GenZero's investment brings BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group's Latin American Reforestation Strategy to US$672 million

The BTG Pactual TIG reforestation strategy focuses on restoring biodiversity and climate resilience in critical ecosystems in Latin America, including Brazil's Cerrado biome - one of the most biodiverse seasonally dry ecosystems in the world.

Avery Dennison Launches Neo™ Matte Black Paint Protection Film, Expanding Premium Wet-Apply Color PPF Line

Avery Dennison® Graphics Solutions announced the release of Neo™ Matte Black Paint Protection Film (PPF), an exciting addition to its premium wet-apply color PPF line. This highly anticipated film joins the successful Neo™ Noir Gloss Black PPF to give installers and car enthusiasts the two most popular black aesthetics backed by superior protection.

Crayola recognizes Domtar's customer support

Award reflects Domtar's dedication to customer support excellence and delivering reliable, transparent sustainability data.

LP Building Solutions partners with ForestryWorks, First Nations Forestry Council

LP Building Solutions announced the continuation of its partnership with the Forest Workforce Training Institute's ForestryWorks program and a new collaboration with the First Nations Forestry Council. Both initiatives aim to develop the next generation of forestry professionals and advance sustainable forest management across North America.

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 September 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.