Week of 26 January 2026: Maintenance in the near future--Robots and Agentic AI

So far this month, I have written about current possibilities in maintenance--essentially ideas, components, and protocols available off-the-shelf right now. Thought I would wrap up the month with concepts that are just around the corner.

More on Sustainability

Red Leaf Pulp, a Canadian company, is pioneering North America's first large-scale, non-wood pulp mill using wheat straw to make high-quality pulp for sustainable packaging, tissue and molded products.

From Antarctic Ice to Mill Uptime: The Rise of AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance in Mills

While researching for my writing, I was poring over a stack of HR materials when I came across a highly popular LinkedIn article on the subject. It was spectacularly out of touch - in fact, the advice would've invited eye rolls in every paper mill and been tossed in the garbage, it was so impractical.

Seeing Around Corners

There's a critical skill in both business and in life that involves seeing into the future...accurately. It involves the ability to "read the tea leaves" as some people say. The idiom originates from the ancient practice of tasseography, a form of early fortune-telling that involved interpretation of loose tea leaf formation at the bottom of your empty cup. Sounds ridiculous to me, but hey, some people put their belief behind such parlor games. However, in the ensuing centuries, better leading indicators were developed to shine some light on what both the short-term and long-term future look like. In other words, how you should play the game to win.

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.

Closed Loop ERP

The closed loop ERP is the end of the rainbow for Industry 4.0. The promise of Industry 4.0 is the enterprise that is fully connected from the plant floor to the top of the enterprise with real time data used for automated processes.

[Adv.] AFT

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

Report: Paper Trail to Nowhere, Investigative Findings on Domtar

The company, formerly known as Paper Excellence, was previously investigated in a 2022 report by Greenpeace Canada and partner organizations, which exposed its complex ownership structure, including links to Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) and the larger Sinar Mas Group -- companies with a documented track record of environmental and human rights violations. This led to hearings with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources (RNNR) to which Wijaya failed to appear and participate to clarify his company's activities.

Greenpeace Canada investigation reveals Domtar's lobbying resulted in over $200M of Canadian public funds

A two-part investigative report released today by Greenpeace Canada reveals that Domtar, the largest pulp and paper company to ever operate in Canada, has been receiving significant amounts of public funds from the government while expanding corporate control on the forestry industry with limited transparency and accountability. Domtar's operations cover 22 million hectares of forest across Canada, or almost 10% of all managed forest land across the country.

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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.

Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic Announce Stockholder Approvals for Merger

Merger expected to close after market close on January 30, 2026.

Fire at International Paper facility in Tennessee

No injuries were reported in the incident.

Tetra Pak invests €60 million in owned pilot plant to advance its paper-based barrier technology development

Tetra Pak takes another major step towards the next generation of sustainable packaging materials with its €60 million investment in a new pilot plant for its paper-based barrier technology at the company's facility in Lund, Sweden.

International Paper Completes Sale of Global Cellulose Fibers Business to American Industrial Partners (AIP)

International Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, has completed the sale of its Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF) business to funds affiliated with American Industrial Partners (AIP). As part of the sale agreement, AIP acquired the GCF business for $1.5 billion including the issuance to International Paper of preferred stock with an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $190 million.

Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Halts Newsprint Production, Cuts 150 Jobs

Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper has decided to halt its newsprint production due to a significant decline in demand. This decision will impact 150 jobs as per their latest announcement on January 22. The company will be filing notices with the provincial labor ministry to implement this change within the current quarter.

Curtailment of Western Forest Products Chemainus sawmill will continue through 2026

About 120 employees were laid off in July, with hopes they would return to work in the new year.

Metsä Board to acquire a Sheeting and Distribution Hub in the Netherlands

Metsä Board has today signed an agreement to acquire the Winschoten Sheeting and Distribution Hub in the Netherlands from Konvertia Group. The transaction is expected to be completed in February 2026. The parties have mutually agreed not to disclose the acquisition price.

Packaging stocks rise after PCA announces $70 per ton price hike

Packaging stocks rose on Friday after Packaging Corp. of America announced plans to increase containerboard prices by $70 per ton effective March 1, according to Bloomberg's Green Markets Box Report.

First Nations-owned Vancouver Island wood chip plant set to close in March

The statement says a major factor was last month's announcement of the closure of Domtar's pulp mill in Crofton, B.C., which Atli says effectively eliminated the demand for wood chips produced at Beaver Cove.

Smurfit Westrock fined £433k after machine fall fractured worker's skull

The Nottingham company - now part of the Smurfit Westrock firm - pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(1)(a) and (c) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Two men arrested after Georgia-Pacific facility break-in, Glynn County, Florida police say

Both face burglary charges.

Chilean CMPC to invest US$280 million in port terminal in Brazil

The construction of the terminal will be carried out through a joint venture between CMPC and Neltume Ports.

Sonoco Products Company Announces Retirement of Chief Operating Officer Rodger Fuller After 40-Year Career

Since becoming Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2020, Fuller has been responsible for the Company's global consumer and industrial operations as well as its diversified businesses and Information Technology.

Canfor Corporation's acquisition of Canfor Pulp moves forward after go-shop period ends with no offers

The agreement enables Canfor Corporation to acquire all Canfor Pulp shares it does not already own. Shareholders will receive either 0.0425 Canfor Corporation shares or $0.50 in cash per Canfor Pulp share. Canfor Corporation currently owns 54.8% of Canfor Pulp's issued shares.

Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force begins 90-day consultation to reform industry

The Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force has held its first meeting to begin work on restructuring and modernizing Canada's forest industry. The initiative aims to enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and product diversification.

Massive fire at closed Georgia-Pacific facility in Emporia, Virginia

Georgia-Pacific shut down the facility last July.

Grenadier Packaging acquires Dutch firm MM Packaging Leeuwarden

MM Packaging Leeuwarden, based in the Netherlands, is known for producing folding cartons and maintains relationships with customers in both the Dutch and broader European markets.

ISS recommends shareholders approve Kimberly-Clark's planned Kenvue deal

Institutional Shareholder Services has recommended that shareholders approve plans by Kleenex maker Kimberly-Clark to buy Tylenol maker Kenvue, saying a tie-up could improve financial metrics.

Rottneros forecasts a significantly weaker result for the fourth quarter

Due to a continued weak market and lower prices as well as a weaker USD, Rottneros forecasts a significantly lower EBITDA result in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the same quarter last year.

Fortune names Smurfit Westrock as one of the worlds most admired companies

Smurfit Westrock has been included on the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026 list.

CDP Once Again Recognizes Sofidel's Environmental Commitment

Sofidel continues to strengthen its leadership in environmental sustainability, starting the new year with renewed recognition from CDP, one of the world's foremost authorities on environmental performance disclosure.

SCA awarded Gold in EcoVadis Sustainability Rating and strengthens its position

SCA has been awarded a Gold Medal in EcoVadis' global sustainability assessment for 2025. At the same time, the company's overall score has increased from 78 to 79, placing SCA among the top five percent of companies worldwide.

Unilever and Saica Group develop paper band for deodorant packaging

Unilever and Saica Group have collaborated to replace the former plastic shrink film used for promotional packs of Axe deodorant with a paper grouping band, said to be designed for recycling.

Stora Enso introduces Performa Lumi, a lightweight GC1 folding boxboard with premium visual performance

Stora Enso introduces Performa Lumi, a new GC1 folding boxboard (FBB) designed for brands seeking both premium visual impact and efficient material use. Produced on Stora Enso's new BM6 packaging line in Oulu, Finland, Performa Lumi expands the Performa range alongside Performa Nova, offering a complementary option for everyday beauty, personal care, and healthcare packaging.

Sealed Air Celebrates Innovation and Its Iconic Brand on National Bubble Wrap® Appreciation Day

Original inventor honors the brand's legacy with a Big Game "Pop Pack" activation designed to spark excitement and engage fans.

Essity: Report for quarter 4 and full-year 2025

The gross margin improved as a result of lower costs of goods sold and good price management.

Essity recognized on CDP's prestigious lists for forest and climate

Essity has been awarded a place on the environmental non-profit organization CDP's prestigious "A List" for its leadership in corporate transparency and performance on forests.

Smurfit Westrock demonstrates industry-leading performance by winning 15 WorldStar awards

Smurfit Westrock has once again demonstrated its leadership in paper-based packaging by picking up 15 WorldStar awards.

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!

Sun Chemical supports safe, future-proof packaging with a full GIO-compliant portfolio ahead of the German Ink Ordinance enforcement

Sun Chemical is supporting food packaging manufacturers and brand owners for the German Ink Ordinance (GIO), effective from 1st January 2027. The company remains committed to providing an innovative portfolio of GIO-compliant inks, coatings and overprint varnishes that protect customer brands and ensure packaging is safe and future-ready.

Cascades ranks among the world's 100 most sustainable corporations for the seventh year in a row

Cascades Inc., a leader in the recovery and manufacturing of environmentally friendly packaging and hygiene products, is proud to announce that for the seventh year in a row, it has been ranked one of the world's 100 most sustainable corporations by Corporate Knights.

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.

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 December 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.