Week of 21 September 2020: A curious loss of competitive edge

As we continue to talk about management issues this month, I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time. It is simply this...in the human resources area I think well developed countries may be losing a competitive edge when it comes to thinking about the newer generations of employees, hourly and salaried, entering our mills these days. My thoughts are these...

Horrible Bosses

Companies and/or owners should do more to see what the workplace environments are actually like beneath the top levels.

Patent Applications and Patents

Appvion Announces Antimicrobial Technology

SafeShield technology prevents the replication of DNA and new cell formation! Independent lab tests demonstrate up to 99.99% reduction in non-pathogenic bacteria on the paper's surface even after printing and post processing.

Essity Leans on Digital Tools to Fortify Their Manufacturing Supply Chain While Improving Machine Health and Productivity

Augury, a leading AI-based Machine Health solution provider, announced that Essity, an innovative global leader in professional hygiene, consumer tissue and personal care products, has chosen Augury's machine health solutions to help drive the digital transformation of its supply chain.

[Adv.] AFT

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

Two Georgia-Pacific Recycled Paper Mills Open Opportunities for Paper Cup Recycling

Georgia-Pacific announced that it is now accepting mixed paper bales that contain single-use polyethylene (PE)-coated paper cups at its recycled paper mills in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Forestry Workers Welcome WTO Decision on U.S. Softwood Tariffs, Time to Settle Long-Standing Dispute

The United Steelworkers union (USW) welcomes the latest decision in Canada's favour from the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the long-standing U.S. softwood lumber dispute.

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.

Pratt Industries and Talo Analytic International celebrate 25 year relationship

Gary Byrd of Pratt Industries and Jim Thompson of Talo Analytic International recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the two companies' relationship. The relationship started in November of 1993.

For the occasion, Talo Analytic International commissioned a "tombstone" reminiscent of those typically prepared to celebrate a deal closing and presented it to Mr. Byrd.

Talo Analytic International began working with Pratt Industries when Pratt's Conyers, Georgia Mill was first financed. Talo Analytic International has been the principal technical adviser on the financing of every Pratt mill in the United States. Talo Analytic International was also a key adviser on the Visy Tumut Mill in Australia in the late 1990's.

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!

Fire reported at Sofidel mill in Ohio

A four-alarm fire at the Sofidel is being reported by news outlets. Fire personnel on the scene report two fires inside the C building at 3:50 p.m.

Fire at Evergreen Packaging facility

Officials say there is concern over a possible structural collapse.

Ox Industries restarts White Pigeon Paper Mill

Ox acquired the mill from Graphic Packaging in June and has since converted the mill from clay-coated recycled paperboard (CRB) to high strength uncoated recycled paperboard (URB).

Tony Mollica Named CEO of Twin Rivers

Tony replaces Tim Lowe, who will return to his role on the Board of Directors after acting as Interim CEO.

Georgia-Pacific lays off 270 as disrupted natural gas supply halts containerboard production in Toledo, Oregon

Production was halted, and approximately 270 hourly workers at Georgia-Pacific pulp and paper mill in Toledo were laid off on Monday evening.

Park Falls, Wisconsin paper mill re-opens

The paper mill in Park Falls is opening their doors after being closed for over a year.

Stora Enso plans to shut down one standard newsprint paper machine in Sweden

Stora Enso will start codetermination negotiations with employees at its Hylte Mill in Sweden regarding a plan to reorganise the mill, including permanent closure of paper machine PM3 and the deinking plant (DIP).

Mondi partners with SalzburgMilch and SPAR to reduce plastic waste from food packaging

Mondi is launching a fully recyclable 80% paper-based packaging solution for cold meats and cheese. The new packaging will reduce plastic usage for Austrian dairy producer SalzburgMilch by approximately 40 tonnes per year, compared to its previously used rigid plastic trays.

Domtar to Enter Containerboard Market with Kingsport Mill Conversion

Over the last two years, Domtar has evaluated the merits of repurposing key paper machines as we adjust our white paper production capacity to match our customer demand. That's why we recently announced we are converting our Kingsport, Tennessee, paper mill into the company's first containerboard facility.

Stora Enso developing sustainable barrier solutions for paperboard at Forshaga plant in Sweden

The investment of approximately Euro 10 million enables the development and production of paperboard with barrier properties that are easier to handle in a recycling process, have a lower carbon footprint and can be compostable in industrial facilities.

How Can Intelligent ERP Transform a Traditional Company into an Industry Pioneer?

Shandong Century Sunshine Paper Group Co. Ltd. is a modern enterprise that focuses on papermaking, printing, and packaging.To improve its business processes and achieve more-efficient collaboration between production and marketing, Century Sunshine has embarked on a new digital transformation journey.

Firefighters douse flames at Domtar pulp mill

Kamloops Fire Rescue says there was minimal damage after a fire broke out within a building at the Domtar pulp mill on Sept. 11.

Kruger to permanently shut down pulp and paper production at Brompton mill in Canada

Due to market conditions that remain unfavorable, after a 6-month temporary shutdown, Kruger Specialty Papers is forced to permanently shut down its newsprint, specialty papers and pulp production at its Brompton Mill. However, the water treatment plant will continue to operate and the biomass cogeneration plant will restart.

RRD Enters into Definitive Agreement to Sell its DLS Worldwide Logistics Business to TFI International for $225 Million Cash

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its DLS Worldwide Logistics business to TFI International for $225 million in cash, subject to a customary working capital adjustment.

Packaging Corp Evaluates Hurricane Impact on Louisiana Mill

Packaging Corporation of America PKG had ramped down its DeRidder containerboard mill operations before the arrival of Hurricane Laura. On Aug 27, the storm made landfall approximately 100 miles south of the company's containerboard mill in Louisiana. Notably, the storm did not make any significant property damages to the mill.

Holmen mills receives the highest sustainability rating

Holmen's paperboard and paper mills have been awarded the highest possible rating by the international assessment company Ecovadis. The paperboard mills in Iggesund and Workington as well as the paper mills Braviken and Hallsta have all been awarded Ecovadis Platinum, which means that all Holmen's mills belong to the absolute top tier of all assessed companies.

Alan Smurfit dies suddenly at age of 77

Alan Smurfit, a member of the well-known business family that founded Smurfit Kappa, has died suddenly at the age of 77, the family has announced.

SCA: Renewcell wants to recycle textiles in Ortviken industrial area

Joint press release from Renewcell and SCA.

Metsä Fibre and Econia to cooperate in prevention of grey economy in Kemi and Rauma projects

Metsä Fibre and Econia have made agreements on consulting services related to contractor liability matters and the prevention of the grey economy in the Kemi bioproduct mill project and the Rauma sawmill project in Finland.

Weyerhaeuser to Support Wildfire Relief Efforts in the Pacific Northwest

Weyerhaeuser Company announced the company is making an immediate $150,000 donation to the Red Cross to support emergency response efforts in communities affected by wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, and particularly in Oregon.

Rayonier provides hurricane Laura and Beachie creek fire update

The company is currently assessing the magnitude of the damage and determining the salvage potential for the affected properties in both Louisiana and Oregon.

BillerudKorsnäs is the best in the industry in sustainability

In its latest ESG Risk Ratings, the sustainability analysis company Sustainalytics has ranked BillerudKorsnäs the most sustainable enterprise to invest in within the packaging sector.

Artificial intelligence integration further improves quality consistency at Metsä Board Kemi mill

Metsä Board, a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, is putting the latest artificial intelligence to good use at its Kemi mill in order to improve the runnability of its white kraftliner on a customer's corrugating line.

Sonoco ThermoSafe's New Pegasus ULD® Receives FAA Approval

The Pegasus ULD® is the world's first passive bulk temperature-controlled container for pharmaceutical use that is an FAA-approved unit load device, which allows it to speed through existing international ground handling and customs processes at the lowest possible cost.

Monadnock Expands West Coast Distribution

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States, announced that it has broadened its west coast distribution. It has established a new stocking location in Kent, Washington to more fully serve its growing customer base on the U.S. West Coast.

SFI Conservation Grant to Help North Carolina State University Study Climate Change Mitigation and Preventing Biodiversity Loss in Forests

North Carolina State University is investigating the crucial role that SFI-certified forests play in facilitating landscape connectivity in a changing climate.

#MoveInMiami is Aug. 13

For the past seven years, the motto of #MoveInMiami has been, "They unpack. We give back." While the unpacking is different this year, Miamians can still support what matters to them most at Miami University on Aug. 13 through #MoveInMiami.

Student Spotlight: Geordin Craun of Western Michigan

Paperitalo Publications was able to catch up with Geordin Craun, a senior in the program. We asked her a few questions about her experiences at Western Michigan.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Saving energy

Saving energy was a topic Jim Thompson discussed a few weeks back. With fuel prices at record lows, it seems a weird time to discuss saving energy. But back in the day, when Union Camp was an entity in the 70s and 80s, the company leadership were geniuses at forecasting the paper industry fortunes six months to a year in advance. It seemed when everyone else was doing one thing we were doing another. And some time later, our approach was usually proven the best.

Capital Arguments for August 2020

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.

Pulp & Paper Radio International Program Schedule and Archives

Click here to listen to our latest episodes!

Check out the Paperitalo Library

Items just for you