Week of 23 February 2026: When to innovate

I can tell you if your innovation paid off--five years after you implemented it. Looking forward, innovation is tough to judge. Looking forward, there are many things you do not know. Your imagination can play tricks on you. You don't know what the competition is doing. You don't know what the market will accept.

Will AI dumb people down?

While AI has its place, people shouldn't become dependent on it for basic thinking. There's a real fear for the younger generations becoming heavily dependent on AI.

Welcome to the Future: Innovation in the Paper Industry

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.

Why Software Keeps Failing

The 4th industrial era makes industry more dependent on software than ever before. From the valve in your pipe to the financial system at the top of the corporation, the 4th industrial era is the potential for software to connect it all.

[Adv.]TAII

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

Unifor forestry delegates select Domtar as pattern bargaining target

Unifor delegates from across Eastern Canada kicked off bargaining preparations for the forestry industry by selecting Domtar as the target company for the upcoming round of pattern bargaining.

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.

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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.

Coming up next month: Online auction for Graphic Packaging East Angus, Quebec mill assets will be held March 10-11

An online auction will be held beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2026 for assets from the Graphic Packaging East Angus, Quebec mill.

Arctic Paper Corrects 2024 Wastewater Data in Sustainability Report

Arctic Paper found an Excel-based error that understated wastewater discharges.

Rottneros AB Appoints Magnus Wikström as Acting President, Effective from 20 February 2026

Magnus Wikström has been a member of the Board of Directors of Rottneros AB since 2023. He will remain on the Board of Directors during his time as acting President and CEO.

Second Worker Dies Following Chemical Spill At Woodland Pulp Baileyville, Maine Paper Mill

Allen Hornberger died Tuesday following a chemical release at the mill's bleach plant on Jan. 27. The gas leak also left Kasie Malcolm, a 20-year-old chemical engineering student from the University of Maine, dead.

Canfor Pulp announces asset write-down and impairment charge

Canfor Pulp Products Inc. announced that it will record a non-cash asset write down and impairment charge totaling approximately $106 million in its fourth quarter of 2025 results. The impairment reflects sustained declines in global US-dollar pulp list prices combined with persistent challenges in securing economically viable fibre.

Södra divests its shares in Sunpine

Södra has reached an agreement to divest its shares in Sunpine AB to VAROPreem. The transaction is pursued together with shareholders Sveaskog AB and Lawter B.V., a subsidiary of Harima Chemicals Inc., and is now undergoing the necessary approvals before it can be completed.

BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group Announces Acquisition of More Than 107,000 Acres of Timberlands in Central Virginia

BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group, one of the world's largest timberland investment managers, has acquired approximately 107,000 acres of sustainably managed timberlands in Central Virginia from the Weyerhaeuser Company.

Fire at Twin Rivers Paper Company in Little Falls, N.Y. Under Investigation

A fire broke out at the Twin Rivers Paper Company in Little Falls on Thursday, Feb. 12.

Metsä Group starts up lignin demo plant Äänekoski, Finland

Metsä Group has commenced operations at its new lignin product demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland, with a nameplate capacity of 2 tons per day. /p>

Online auction for Graphic Packaging East Angus, Quebec mill assets coming up March 10-11

An online auction will be held beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2026 for assets from the Graphic Packaging East Angus, Quebec mill.

Remaining International Paper plant set to close in Georgetown, South Carolina, spokesperson says

International Paper will be closing its container plant, the remaining mill in Georgetown, later this year, according to a company spokesperson.

Smoke from Smurfit Westrock recycling plant fire west of Downtown Jacksonville seen for miles

Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department crews extinguished a fire at a recycling facility west of Downtown Jacksonville that erupted Monday afternoon, Feb. 9, sending smoke into the air that was visible for miles.

Smurfit Westrock announces permanent closure of a paper machine at La Tuque mill

Smurfit Westrock will also close the extrusion facility in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec, which converts grades produced on the La Tuque machine. The closures will result in a limited workforce reduction of approximately 30 at La Tuque and approximately 60 at Pointe-aux-Trembles.

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Opens Investigation into Fatal Incident at Woodland Pulp Facility in Baileyville, Maine

The incident resulted in the death of one person, a 20-year old student at the University of Maine who was participating in an internship at the facility, and injured nine other workers, two of them seriously. One of the workers remains hospitalized.

Nippon Paper Industries: Joint Acquisition of a New Zealand Softwood Chip Production and Export Company

With the extensive sales and export experience of both NPI and PF in Australia and New Zealand, the newly established NF Wood Fibre joint venture is well positioned to fully leverage these combined strengths and to further expand the forestry and timber businesses of both partners.

Pratt Industries expands agriculture warehouse and investment in South Georgia

The expansion comes with significant investment into the company's southern Georgia operations and continued growth within the region. In addition to creating several new full-time jobs, it will bring increase service and support for Georgia's agriculture industry and the many customers Pratt serves in the region.

Cascades Announces Exit from Honeycomb Packaging and Partition Business Segments

Cascades Inc. announces the discontinuation of its activities in the honeycomb paperboard and partition packaging product sectors. As a result, its three plants located in York, PA, and Saint-Césaire and Berthierville, QC, will be closed.

Roseburg Forest Products to cut 146 positions at Riddle, Oregon Plywood facility

RFP says impacted employees will receive 60 days of compensation and continued healthcare coverage. They are encouraged to apply for open positions at other RFP facilities and will receive dedicated support and resources during the transition.

Arctic Paper Fined by Nasdaq Stockholm for Disclosure Breach

Arctic Paper S.A. disclosed that Nasdaq Stockholm's Disciplinary Committee has levied a SEK 780,000 contractual penalty after finding its late-2024 and early-2025 current reports improperly published in violation of the exchange's rulebook and the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Mondi spices up ultra-high barrier paper packaging for Prymat

Mondi has partnered with Prymat, a Polish dried seasoning manufacturer, to develop ultra-high barrier paper-based packaging for its dried spices.

Polytag, Saica Flex, and Paragon Inks Announce Strategic Partnership to Transform Waste Journey Traceability

This collaboration combines Polytag's cutting-edge detection technology and expertise, Saica Flex's high-quality packaging production, and Paragon Inks specialist UV inks.

Sonoco Provides Investors with Strategy and Financial Update

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in high-value sustainable metal and paper packaging, on Feb. 17 hosted an Investor Day in which it provided investors with an update on its value creation strategy, financial targets and capital allocation plan, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Howard Coker and members of the senior leadership team.

Weyerhaeuser Previews New Engineered Wood Products at NAHB International Builders' Show

Both products, currently in development, are designed to give builders more versatile and higher-quality flooring solutions.

Metsä Group collaborates with the Utsjoki jointly owned forest

A significant portion of the Utsjoki jointly owned forest has been designated for protection and additional protected areas are being planned. In commercial forests, harvesting will continue in the winter of 2026.

Louisiana-Pacific Q4 Sales Decline As OSB Volumes, Prices Drop; Expects 2026 Adj. EBITDA To Fall

During Q4 2025, the Company reported net sales of $567 million, representing a decrease of $114 million from last year.

Sonoco Named to FORTUNE's World's Most Admired™ List

Sonoco also ranked second in the following categories: use of corporate assets, financial soundness, long-term investment and global competitiveness.

Pacapime Hungary and Mondi's containerboard are keeping fruit and vegetables fresh and protected with high-quality packaging

Long-term partnership delivers reliable corrugated packaging for fresh produce applications.

USI, Amcor launch partnership to spark student-led packaging innovation

Pilot course will pair USI students with Amcor experts to design real-world packaging concepts.

Stora Enso publishes its Annual Report and Remuneration Report 2025

The Annual Report includes a strategic report, corporate governance, Board of Directors' report including sustainability statement, and financial statements.

Sonoco delivers solid fourth quarter beat, margin expansion in consumer packaging

Grew fourth quarter net sales to $1.8 billion, up 29.7% from the prior-year quarter, primarily from acquisition activity.

Mercer International Swings to Deep 2025 Loss as Pulp Downturn Spurs Major Impairments

The company is pushing cost cuts, shifting its pulp mix and expanding mass timber amid expected price gains.

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 January 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.