Week of 8 June 2026: Safety--Can't Smell It

The week of Thanksgiving, 1954, my grandmother was overcome by natural gas and died. The cause was an ancient water heater that did not have a safety valve. When the pilot flame went out, the gas did not shut off. She and my grandfather were vacationing in Florida, and it was a rental house. The flame went out in the middle of the night. They saved my grandfather, but my grandmother had had other medical issues, and they could not revive her. Whether the gas at that time had a smell added to it, or not, I do not know. It is all odorized today. In pulp and paper mills, we have many gases. Most naturally stink on their own. However, the safe employee must assume they don't all have a smell and that the odorous smell of a stinky one can mask the smell of a far more dangerous one.

Energy Transitions

There have been several recent announcements regarding energy.

Safety: Digging Beneath the Numbers

The tragedy at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington, on May 26, 2026 serves as a sobering reminder that the pulp and paper industry is hazardous, even in an era of advancing technology and heightened awareness.

Digital Dementia

We're all susceptible to Digital Dementia. Even NASA couldn't remember how they got to the moon on 4 kilobytes of RAM. At least that's what I heard. For the Boomers, GenX, and Millennials...remember when we all used to maintain a physical address/phone book decades ago? We still do, in a sense, maintain those databases of contacts, but we're digital now. It's just as important to do so now as then, however, it so much easier.

Single site Industry 4.0

Most of our discussion of Industry 4.0 has focused on connecting facilities to the rest of the enterprise through the Internet. What if your entire enterprise is a single site?

[Adv.] Wieland

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

Metsä Conservation Foundation offered more than a thousand hectares of forest for conservation

Forest owners are interested in the voluntary protection of their forests, offering more than 1,000 hectares for the first application round organised by Metsä Conservation Foundation. These 85 sites represent diverse forests from all over Finland.

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.

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.

Remembering the Nippon Dynawave Longview victims as coroners' procession brings bodies home

A freeway procession was held Saturday, June 6, to return the Longview paper mill victims to their homes from King County.

Leaking chemicals found at another Washington mill, Cosmo Specialty Fibers, records show

At the Cosmo Specialty Fibers site in Cosmopolis, regulators have repeatedly warned of growing dangers, including the potential for a "catastrophic release," which could threaten those on the site, the environment and public health.

Sofidel breaks ground on $775 million expansion at Port of Inola in Oklahoma

Sofidel will construct a new building to house the 75,000 tons-per-year Valmet Through-Air-Drying (TAD) tissue machine and install converting lines with matching capacity to produce finished goods.

Mill workers at site of Nippon Dynawave Longview tank implosion will be paid until early August

The paper mill employs 550 people. It's unclear how many employees are unable to work but will be compensated.

Notice Regarding the Incident at U.S. Subsidiary Nippon Dynawave Packaging (Fifth Update)

Due to this incident, production has been suspended. The impact of this incident on the environment and our financial performance is still being assessed.

EU regulators pause probe into $1.65 billion UPM-Sappi deal, await data

The review will resume once the information is submitted, with a new deadline for a decision. The previous deadline was October 26.

International Paper Completes $360 Million Acquisition of North Pacific Paper Company

IP expanding capabilities to serve the growing West Coast region.

Officials: Sonoco Spartanburg County, South Carolina facility fire contained but could smolder for days

Sonoco will have a 24-hour fire watch set up for the coming days, officials said.

Washington inspectors enter Nippon Dynawave Longview paper mill to investigate deadly implosion

State regulators have gained full access to the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. paper mill in Longview to launch a comprehensive safety probe into last week's chemical implosion that killed 11 workers.

No injuries reported after fire breaks out at McKinley Paper Mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin

Firefighters remained on scene for approximately three hours. A damage estimate is not yet available.

Saothair Capital Partners Completes the Acquisition of EAM Corp. from Domtar Corporation

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Jesup, Georgia, EAM (www.eam-corp.com) is a leading developer and manufacturer of nonwoven airlaid and laminated absorbent materials used in feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, baby diaper, medical, industrial and food packaging applications.

Canada announces $130 million for 56 forest-sector transformation projects

Canada plans to advance a national transformation of the forest sector by providing close to $130 million for 56 projects across Canada and by enhancing financing supports, including expanded regional funding and changes to Business Development Bank of Canada programs, Natural Resources Canada announced.

Remembering the 11 men killed in the Nippon Dynawave Longview paper mill accident

Officials have identified all 11 victims killed in the accident. Families are paying tribute to their loved ones on social media and through online fundraisers.

Smurfit Westrock announces €600 million investment

Smurfit Westrock has announced plans to invest approximately €600 million across its operations in France, reinforcing its long-term commitment to French manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability ahead of the Choose France initiative.

Mondi strengthens corrugated solutions operations in Germany through targeted site upgrades

Targeted upgrades at the Greven and Ebersdorf plants enhance efficiency, quality and customer service.

Workers want 'full accountability' from Nippon after paper mill disaster, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez says

The Washington congresswoman called out Nippon executives after the deadly incident.

New details released after explosion at International Paper facility in North Carolina

International Paper explosion in Warren County caused by boiler system malfunction.

Washington Guard Responds to Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company Longview Paper Mill Implosion

Following a tank implosion and chemical spill at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., the Washington National Guard mobilized Soldiers and Airmen to support first responders with air monitoring, decontamination and facility search-and-recovery operations.

Lenzing AG appoints Georg Kasperkovitz as Chief Executive Officer

Kasperkovitz will assume this role in addition to his current function as Chief Operations Officer (COO).

Avery Dennison Graphic Films Soothe Pediatric Patients' Anxiety

The formerly formidable scanners are now upstaged by the quirky monkeys, glowing stars and smiling dolphins, all custom-printed on Avery Dennison film.

UPM delivers purpose-built adhesive solutions for demanding label applications

UPM is simplifying adhesive selection with purpose-built solutions designed for demanding label applications. UPM PharmaSure™ for pharmaceuticals, UPM Vetro™ for wine and spirits, and UPM Endurance™ for oil and industrial chemicals help customers choose the right adhesive performance for each end-use. All are part of the UPM Raflatac™ label material offering.

Mondi Introduces Re/loop FlowWrap with 35% Post-consumer Recycled Content for Wet Wipes Packaging

Re/loop FlowWrap is a form-fill-and-seal solution (FFS) made from mono-polypropylene (PP) that replaces non-recyclable laminates for applications requiring a customisable barrier, such as baby care, cosmetics, and household wipes.

Sonoco Implementing Price Hikes for Uncoated Recycled Paperboard, Converted Paperboard Products

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in high-value sustainable paper products, announced it is implementing a $60 per ton price increase for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) in the United States and Canada, effective with shipments beginning July 8, 2026.

Borregaard launches a CE-marked biostimulant ingredient for improved nutrient use efficiency

Borregaard launches Activance NUE, a CE-marked biostimulant ingredient designed to improve nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency across crop groups, enabling fertilizer manufacturers to develop more efficient and flexible plant nutrition solutions.

Sofidel confirmed on CDP's Supplier Engagement Leaderboard for its climate action commitment

The prestigious "A" rating in the 2025 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA) recognizes the effectiveness of the Group's supply chain decarbonization strategies.

West Fraser Timber Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has released its 2025 Sustainability Report. The report highlights the Company's sustainability performance across a variety of environmental, social and governance goals and disclosed targets.

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.

Metsä Board again featured on the Financial Times Europe's Climate Leaders list

The Europe's Climate Leaders list identifies companies that have achieved reductions in their GHG emissions intensity over a multi‑year period, alongside meeting additional criteria related to transparency and climate commitments.

Workers at Western Forest Products Value-Added Division join the United Steelworkers union

Workers at Western Forest Products Value-Added Division (WFP VAD) in Chemainus, B.C., have joined the United Steelworkers union (USW). The successful union organizing campaign was driven by a desire for better representation and a stronger voice on the job with a union that will fight for improvements that forestry workers need and deserve.

Avery Dennison Names Danny Allouche President, Materials Group

Allouche has held several leadership roles at Avery Dennison over the past 16 years. Since 2016, he has led the company's global strategy and corporate portfolio and development activities, most recently having served as senior vice president and chief strategy and corporate development officer.

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!

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 April 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.