Week of 20 April 2026: Environmental Ignorance

The stumbling blocks when one is discussing environmental issues is that the impacts are at the macro level while the causes are often at the microscopic or submicroscopic levels. The probability and statistics applications to take those microscopic and submicroscopic findings to a solid cause and effect solution are not trivial, either.

More on Innovation

UPM Specialty Materials and Felix Schoeller announced that they introduce customizable, fiber-based solution for flexible food packaging.

Balancing Renewable Fiber, Energy Demands, and Rising Expectations: The Pulp Industry's Environmental Story

The pulp and paper industry has made significant environmental progress over the years. In just a generation or two, the transformation has been outstanding - with impressive advances even in the last five to ten years. With this in mind, let's examine the environmental performance of our mills: the day-to-day challenges operators face, the real gains achieved through sustained investments, and the practical steps that can be taken. Because the modern world continues to rely on the essential products our mills make.

Efficiency Effects - Jevons Paradox

In the 90's there was a vision for what business called the "paperless office." The advent and adoption of computers, email, cheap printers, database recordkeeping, etc. was supposed to drive office paper usage into the dustbin of history. What did we actually experience? US office paper consumption rose 14.7% between 1995 and 2000. Despite the digital tool kit, people in the office environment printed more drafts, emails, and files than ever before. This effect, or some would call it a paradox, has a name...Jevons Paradox.

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.

When the Sprinklers Aren't Enough

The Ontario warehouse fire and what it reveals about the response gap in high-fuel-load facilities.

[Adv.] DPAS

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

Trish Witkowski and Ford Bowers Headline FSEA Print Embellishment Conference Programming

The FSEA Print Embellishment Conference, taking place June 17-19 in Nasvhille, Tennessee, has announced its complete lineup of speakers and sessions for the conference.

Suzano helps lift over 140,000 people out of poverty in its areas of operation over a five-year period

Initiatives focusing on income generation and economic inclusion are benefiting key regions and reinforcing the value of the company's social responsibility strategy

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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.

Mondi opens new paper bags plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to support growing eCommerce and industrial customer demand

State-of-the-art packaging facility strengthens Mondi's manufacturing footprint in the United States.

IT Tech Packaging, Inc. Announces Receipt of Notice of Non-Compliance with NYSE Continued Listing Requirements

The Company intends to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards. There can be no assurance that the Company will ultimately regain compliance with all applicable NYSE American listing standards.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Announces Comprehensive Strategic Alternatives Review to Maximize Shareholder Value

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors ("Board") has established an interim Office of the Chief Executive Officer ("OFC") following the resignation of President and CEO Scott M. Sutton, effective immediately.

Stora Enso to Sell Three German Box Plants to Prinzhorn

Stora Enso Oyj has entered into an agreement with Prinzhorn to sell three box plants in Germany with 240 million cubic meters of corrugated capacity, approximately 125,000 tonnes.

Weyerhaeuser workers vote overwhelmingly to unionize

The United Steelworkers (USW) are proud to welcome 147 new members following a strong organizing victory at Weyerhaeuser in Kenora, Ont.

Lecta adds third metallizing line at Leitza mill to boost barrier paper output

Lecta has commissioned a new metallizing line, named Leitzaran, at its mill in Leitza, Spain, which increases metallizing capacity and enables production of high-performance barrier papers for a range of packaging applications.

Kruger Energy Begins Construction of 196 MW Wind Farm

Kruger Energy has begun construction of the Saint-Paul-de-Montminy (SPDM) Wind Farm, a 196-MW project scheduled for commissioning in December 2027. Located within the municipalities of Saint-Paul-de-Montminy, Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire and Sainte-Apolline-de-Patton, the project represents an investment of more than $580 million.

Crane collapses on Green Bay Packaging worksite overnight due to severe storms

Officials with Green Bay Packaging said the crane collapsed overnight on Wednesday, April 15, during a bout of severe storms.

West Fraser Timber says it expects to record a US$73 million charge in the first quarter

West Fraser Timber Co. says it expects to record a US$73-million non-cash charge related to export duty expenses in its first quarter results, to be released later this month.

Court rules in favor of Stora Enso employees in wage dispute

Stora Enso must pay back wages to 186 employees at its Oulu mill following strikes in the spring of 2024, according to a district court ruling reported by Yle.

International Paper to Acquire North Pacific Paper Company for $360 Million

IP expanding capabilities to serve the growing West Coast region.

Online auction for High End Stock Prep, Pulping, and Finishing Equipment from the former Georgia-Pacific Specialty Pulp Mill will be held May 7

An online auction will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 for High End Stock Prep, Pulping, and Finishing Equipment from the former Georgia-Pacific Specialty Pulp Mill in Perry, Florida.

Kimberly-Clark Announces Post-Closing Organizational Structure and Identifies Key Leadership

The transaction remains on track to close in the second half of 2026, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other remaining customary closing conditions.

Södra reports 1 million m3 of forest damaged by Storm Dave

Södra has now completed the initial inventory after storm Dave and a first compilation shows that approximately 1 million m³fub of forest has been damaged on member land in Götaland. Västra Götaland County and parts of Jönköping County are the hardest hit areas.

PCA dismisses closure rumors, affirms future of Wallula, Washington mill

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is dismissing rumors that its Wallula containerboard mill will close in the coming weeks, according to company officials.

Mobile, Alabama Fire and Rescue battles Kimberly-Clark blazes

Incident command confirmed two separate fires at the location.

West Fraser Forest Products Near Bemidji, Minnesota Fined for Air Permit Violations

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports it has fined West Fraser Forest Products $24,750 for exceeding the total amount of hazardous air pollutants allowed by the air permit for the company's Solway facility from January 2024 to January 2025.

The Aging Workforce in Pulp & Paper: How Mills Are Rethinking Knowledge and Operations >> Join the Industry Webinar

This session will explore how pulp and paper operations are evolving as mills navigate workforce transition, operational complexity, and the need for faster, more coordinated decision-making.

California Kimberly-Clark warehouse arson suspect pleads not guilty to state charges

Abdulkarim, an employee of a third-party distributor of the Kimberly-Clark paper goods warehouse in Ontario, allegedly filmed himself lighting multiple pallets of toilet paper on fire inside the 1.2 million square foot building. It was destroyed last Tuesday as a result.

Metsä Spring advances wood fibre packaging with Amcor and G. Mondini

Metsä Spring, Metsä Group's innovation company, takes a significant step forward in wood fibre‑based food packaging through a strengthened collaboration with Amcor, a global leader in packaging solutions, and G. Mondini, a specialist in complete food packaging lines.

LP Building Solutions Partners with Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Societies to Support Forest Stewardship

Collaboration advances sustainable forest management and enhances wildlife habitat across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Sustana Earns EcoVadis Gold for Third Consecutive Year

The company ranks in the top 3% of assessed companies.

UPM and Royal Vaassen bring recyclable paper innovation to pet treat packaging

UPM Specialty Materials and Royal Vaassen introduce an ultra-high barrier paper packaging solution suitable for pet food treats and snacks.

Avery Dennison® Sponsors Laketran's Design-a-Bus-Wrap Student Art Contest for Sixth Year

For the sixth year, Avery Dennison® Graphics Solutions sponsored the Design-a-Bus-Wrap student art contest organized by Laketran, the public transit agency in Lake County, Ohio. The contest was open to the county's middle and high school students. In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, students were encouraged to design a bus wrap showcasing America 250.

BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group Completes First Close of US$ 370 Million to Newest Core Latin American Timberland Strategy

BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (BTG Pactual TIG), one of the world's largest timberland investment managers, announced that it has completed the first close of US$ 370 million in commitments to its newest core Latin America strategy.

Rengo raises Murase Danboru stake to 49% with additional 29% share purchase

Rengo Co. has acquired an additional 29% of the issued shares of Murase Danboru Ltd., increasing its total ownership interest to 49%. The transaction builds on Rengo's initial investment in the corrugated packaging manufacturer in 2024, which had already led to collaboration in containerboard supply and contract manufacturing.

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!

Mondi expands paper bags business in Southeast Asia through new joint venture

Joint venture with Indocement strengthens Mondi's paper bags footprint in a structurally growing Southeast Asian market.

Ahlstrom material supports breakthrough dried urine test

Ahlstrom 226™ filter paper was selected as the substrate material for the dried urine strip design.

Metsä Board brings its Lead the Pack strategy into practice at Interpack 2026

The packaging industry is facing increasing expectations related to recyclability, material efficiency and reduced reliance on fossil‑based materials, alongside brand owner climate commitments and evolving regulation.

UPM and Felix Schoeller introduce customizable, fibre-based solution for flexible food packaging

In response to the growing demand for recyclable packaging, this food-safe, fibre-based solution supports the packaging industry's transition toward upcoming recyclability requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

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.

UMaine student leads development of new low cost, mass-manufacturable microdroplet generators

Microdroplet generators are devices that produce tiny, precise liquid samples used for large-scale drug testing, cosmetics, cell analysis and scientific research.

Miami University Paper Science & Engineering Foundation names Mike Lopane as new executive director

Mike will assume the Executive Director's role on January 1, 2026 with the retirement of our current Executive Director, Dr. Gary Rudemiller. Gary has been in this role for eight years now, and we wish him well in his retirement.

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.

The Light Green Machine Institute

Ideas you can use now.

Capital Arguments for March 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.