Week of 27 July 2026: Making the old look new--housekeeping

There is a 1964 Corvair in our garage. It is a 4-speed convertible, white with red interior. It is kept cleaner than our newer "daily drivers." It has no rust, does not leak oil or anything else. I'll help you out with the math--it is 62 years old. The point is, age has nothing to do with housekeeping. No matter what age your paper machine and its ancillary equipment may be, you have no excuse for not keeping it clean and orderly.

More on Innovation

As Ontario works to strengthen its critical minerals sector, Rock Tech Lithium, a German-Canadian critical minerals company that develops the next-generation of lithium converters to supply Europe and North America with sustainable battery-grade lithium, is testing an innovative processing method that could support a more localized and sustainable battery materials supply chain.

Taking Out the Trash: Housekeeping as a Competitive Advantage

Most people know about honeybees and how a beehive operates. There's the queen that rules the hive. There's worker bees that go out and gather resources during the summer, and store up the honey for the winter. Then over the winter, the colony hunkers down. But what you may not know is that beekeepers watch their hives on the first warm day after winter, to learn if a hive has survived, because honeybees are meticulous housekeepers. Honeybees take out the (hive) trash on the first warm day to keep their hive perfectly spotless. Housekeeping is always top priority for honeybees. And today we will examine why housekeeping should be among your top priority for your mill as well.

Learned Helplessness

For this month's column, I've decided to discuss how to maintain agency in a corporate environment. "Agency" is the capacity to act intentionally, make meaningful choices, and influence outcomes. Personal agency has been under assault for over a century as independent, small farm and business people have transitioned to working for "the man" - where they are told what to do, how to do it, punished for not doing it as prescribed, and subjected to systemic removal of human effort through automation and AI - that could even leave you in the cold. People continue to make that transition for the benefit of steady paychecks, benefits, and possibly a career growth path. All predictable and safe. Until it's not.

Abandon in Place?

When I moved to Austin TX in 1997, there was a semiconductor boom happening in Texas. I soon was introduced to projects at places like Samsung, Motorola, and Texas Instruments. Among the many differences this industry has from the paper industry is the speed with which facilities are built, upgraded, and decommissioned.

[Adv.] DPAS

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

Growing stronger together: How Stevens Point is expanding Ahlstrom's vision for food packaging

When Ahlstrom acquired the Stevens Point mill, the objective extended well beyond adding manufacturing capacity. It was about strengthening the company's long-term position in one of the fastest-evolving segments of the specialty paper market and creating new opportunities for customers around the world.

ISA Named a Top-Rated Nonprofit for Third Consecutive Year

The International Society of Automation (ISA) -- the leading professional society for automation -- announced today it has been named a 2026 Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits, the primary platform for community-sourced reviews about nonprofit organizations. This is the third year ISA has received this recognition.

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

Katie Bielecki, right, is shown receiving the Paperitalo Publications endowed scholarship from Steve Sena at the Miami University Paper Science & Engineering Foundation Meeting in 2026. Katie is a rising Junior, Chemical Engineering student. She participated in the SASI workshop during J-term (winter semester) and is interning with Smurfit Westrock in Evadale, Texas, this summer.

Fire department responds to duct fire at Procter & Gamble facility in Green Bay, Wisconsin

No injuries to employees or fire personnel were reported.

EU Commission OKs the acquisition of Thimm by Saica Group

Saica Group is very pleased to announce that the EU Commission has approved the acquisition of Thimm Group plants in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania as of 24 July 2026. That includes all activities in these four countries: nine corrugated board plants in Alzey (Germany), Wolnzach (Germany), Eberswalde (Germany), Castrop-Rauxel (Germany), Northeim (Germany), Tychy (Poland), Skarbimierz (Poland), Všetaty (Czech Republic) and Sibiu (Romania) and one preprint facility in Ilsenburg (Germany).

PRINZHORN GROUP's Dunapack Packaging enters into an agreement to take over El Pack's corrugated packaging plants

Dunapack Packaging Hellas, part of the Austrian Prinzhorn Group, has entered into an agreement to take over El Pack's corrugated packaging operations. The transaction comprises the sites in Patras, Kapandriti and Thiva in Greece. With around 250 employees, a turnover of approximately 43 million euros was achieved in 2025.

Domtar could pay $1.5 million for EPA pollution claims at Ashdown, Arkansas, mill

The DOJ filed a consent decree with the proposed settlement Friday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality. The decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period. If approved by the court, the decree would go into effect immediately.

GranBio Reaches Settlement with Borregaard and Grants License

The companies reached a mutual agreement on a patent dispute. Borregaard has been granted a contractual license which includes GranBio's European Patent EP/NO 3089998, pertaining to sulfite-based nanocellulose production.

Report details Nippon Dynawave Packaging Longview paper mill workers' response to chemical spill

New details were revealed in a Nippon Dynawave Packaging report that was sent to the Washington Department of Ecology. The report explains how employees at the paper mill in Longview responded to a massive chemical spill.

Nippon Dynawave agrees to extend employee pay at idled Washington mill

Nippon Dynawave Packaging has informed employees they will continue to receive pay through Oct. 11 following the deadly white liquor tank implosion at the Longview, Washington, pulp and paper mill on May 26 that has idled operations. The company previously had agreed to fully pay workers through Aug. 8, and the new agreement "provides much-needed stability" while local, state and federal investigations into the incident continue, said the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers in a statement.

PLC deeply concerned by announcement that Finch Paper, LLC will not purchase wood

The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) is disappointed by the announcement by Finch Paper, LLC that it will stop making its own pulp and therefore cease buying low-grade wood for that purpose. This is a significant loss for the region's logging and trucking industry with far reaching economic consequences as well as serious negative impacts on the ability to properly manage forest health.

UK newsprint production to end as Palm Paper switches mill focus

The mill will be converted to produce corrugated case material (CCM) in the first quarter of 2027.

Sappi Skowhegan, Maine paper mill responsible for river oil spill

A forensic analysis of the oil in the river by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Coast Guard found that it matched fuel used at the facility.

Quad expands packaging operations, rounding out national manufacturing footprint

New Salt Lake City facility strengthens service for packaging clients across the U.S. and supports continued growth of Quad's packaging business.

The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority has approved WISA Group Plc's demerger and listing prospectus

WISA Group Plc's Group Leadership Team appointed.

Nippon Paper: Launch of Softwood Plantation Projects and Carbon Credit Generation Projects in Australia

Starting in 2026, Nippon will gradually convert existing hardwood tree plantations into softwood.

International Paper announces new independent board appointments

Katherine Collins and Lori J. Ryerkerk to Join as Newest Board Members

Finch Paper announces transition to purchased pulp

The Finch Paper mill in Glens Falls, NY, a facility which has been buying pulp wood from the region's loggers since 1865, has announced they will stop making their own pulp from local logs and will transition to buying it from suppliers outside the area.

U.S. Gypsum to close Southard, Oklahoma facility, impacting 300 jobs

USG, an employer in the area for more than a century, employs 300 people in Oklahoma, according to the Major County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC).

Tiger Group Offers OCC Pulp Mill Packed with Late-Model Equipment

Sale by Tiger and partner Can-Am Machinery features pulping, drying, baling and other assets from a fiber-processing and pulp-production plant in Chesapeake, Virginia.

International Paper to Close Carrollton South, Texas Packaging Facility

International Paper, a leader in sustainable packaging, today announced it will close its Carrollton South packaging facility located in Carrolton, Texas by the end of the third quarter of 2026. The decision is part of the company's ongoing work to align its manufacturing footprint with customer demand and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of its North America packaging business.

300 jobs lost as Canfor closes Northwood Pulp Mill in Prince George

Company says it is facing 'unsustainable financial losses'

Clearwater Paper Launches Circa™ Recycled Paperboard in Collaboration with Greenpaper for U.S. Market

Clearwater Paper Corporation has announced the launch of Circa™ paperboard, a new line of coated recycled board (CRB) for folding carton and carrier applications in the United States, developed through a strategic collaboration with Greenpaper, a global producer of 100% recycled fiber paperboard.

UPM Half Year Financial Report 2026: Improved second quarter results in all businesses and portfolio change progressing

The Board approved a plan to demerge the Plywood business into a new listed company.

Sonoco beats Q2 earnings, revenue estimates on cost controls

Second quarter 2026 net sales of $1.9 billion were down (1.3)% compared to the corresponding prior-year quarter, driven primarily by the November 3, 2025 divestiture of the ThermoSafe business.

Packaging Corp Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Record Shipments

Sales increased 14.7% year over year to $2.49 billion and surpassed the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion by 3.6%.

Huhtamaki resolved on establishing a new share ownership plan for the members of its Global Executive Team

The Board of Directors of Huhtamäki Oyj (Huhtamaki) has resolved to establish a new Share Ownership Plan 2026-2030 (Plan) for its President and CEO and other members of its Global Executive Team (GET). The Plan requires personal investment in Huhtamäki Oyj shares by the participants.

Valmet initiates a strategic review to evaluate a potential separation of its two segments

The Board of Directors of Valmet Oyj has decided to initiate a strategic review to evaluate a potential separation of its two core businesses, Biomaterial Solutions and Services, and Process Performance Solutions, into two standalone publicly listed companies. The review will focus on assessing whether a separation of the two businesses and their operation as separately listed companies on Nasdaq Helsinki would create additional value for shareholders compared with the current combined structure.

Stora Enso Half-year Report 2026: Optimising our portfolio and driving results through our own actions

Sales remained stable at EUR 2,423 (2,426) million, as the positive impact from structural changes was offset by lower prices and adverse currency movements.

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!

United States slaps 50-percent tariffs on many Canada imports

The tariffs apply to a wide variety of products, ranging from raw agricultural and natural materials to chemicals, textiles, consumer goods, wood products, paper, machinery and tools.

Celebrating More Than Five Decades of Innovation - LP Building Solutions Turns 54

On July 20, 2026, LP Building Solutions celebrates its 54th birthday--a milestone that reflects more than five decades of innovation, resilience, and leadership in the building products industry. Since our incorporation on July 20, 1972, LP has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of builders, remodelers, contractors, and homeowners while helping shape the future of home construction.

AF&PA Responds to Court Decision Blocking Enforcement of California SB 343

Court injunction protects manufacturers' ability to provide accurate recycling information to consumers.

Pregis Releases 2025 Sustainability Report, Highlighting Measurable Progress Across Emissions, Circularity and Community Impact

The report covers 2025 performance across all core tenets of the Pregis sustainability vision with focus on strategic, operational and product-level decisions driving progress.

Student Spotlight: Junior Naomi Halphen of Georgia Tech

Paperitalo Publications interviewed Naomi Halphen, and we asked her a few questions about her experiences at Georgia Tech.

Student Spotlight: Graduating senior Kelsey Mosqueda of the University of Washington

Kelsey Mosqueda is a senior in the UW program. Kelsey is graduating this spring with her Bioresource Science & Engineering degree and will be working at International Paper in Springfield, Oregon. We asked her about her experiences at the University of Washington.

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.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Capital Arguments for June 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.

Check out the Paperitalo Library

Items just for you

Explore Pulp and Paper MES Software News

Pulp & Paper Radio International Program Schedule and Archives

Click here to listen to our latest episodes!

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.