In my column last week, our survey asked, "Why do you think we do not have garages full of young people innovating in the pulp and paper industry?"
Responses:
I think you said it well. Paper products are evil. Many email messages I receive from my kids' teachers warn of the detriments of printing their communications. What is so interesting about an industry that kills the earth? I have been able to avoid this indoctrination with my kids but not so much with their friends.
The expense involved could be part of the problem. But the main reason is we are not cool. There is no glamor in pulp and paper. No one is getting excited and lining up to see the next new energy efficient air dryer or the great new former.
Reluctance of the public owned paper companies to pursue innovation through either internal or funded R&D due to the need to justify it to fund managers and other institutional investors that are focused only on current and next quarter's earnings. I have been personally involved in "garage style" innovation that became a small company later acquired by a major paper company at a large premium - these were concepts that had been presented to the major paper companies. The CEO of one told me that he could have never justified the investment in brining the product forward to the security analysts, etc. but had no qualms about making the entrepreneurs rich men after the technology and market risks were eliminated or at least minimized.
I believe that people don't really understand paper as an alterable product to which can be imparted very unique properties and functions (e.g. imbedded RFID). Also, they would not know to whom to market such an invention. Ever try promoting an idea to IP, GP, Domtar, SAPPI, Neenah, or any of the other paper companies. There is definitely an NIH (not invented here) bias. I'm still looking for a manufacturer of coated paper or coated board who wants to work with Crable Engineering LLC to own the technology to be able to add and adjust colorants to their coatings. They could have much better shade and brightness control, reduce wasted coating at the end of a grade run, do a much better job of getting the exact shade desired for new products development, and save significantly on raw coating materials.
You may take this week's quiz here.
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