Week of 7 July 2025: Housekeeping--keep reading

If one could put housekeeping in a pipe and pump it around the mill in circles, not only would it be assigned an operating budget, but it would also be assigned a maintenance budget, too. As it is, housekeeping gets even less respect than maintenance--at least maintenance has a line item in the budget. I am going to go way out on a limb here...

More on Innovation

Mondi announced it is launching its re/cycle PaperPlus Bag Advanced, a high-performance paper bag designed to protect humidity-sensitive goods, while significantly reducing plastic content. And Sonoco recently announced its partnership with NaturGrops GmbH, a newly established family-owned company dedicated to delivering natural, high-quality, and sustainable dog snacks, by providing an eco-friendly packaging solution.

Maintaining Excellence: The Power of Proper Housekeeping

It's cringe-worthy that on April 28th, Newark Airport Control Tower had their computers using Windows 95 and floppy disks at one of the nation's busiest airports - it was indeed especially cringe-worthy for those landing that day. (Remember: with Windows 95 you could still enter and wipe an entire disk drive.) During the terrifying 90-second air traffic controller blackout pilots were able to keep tabs on each other as they circled midair. Thankfully - even miraculously - no one was hurt.

Land of the Rising Sun

I just completed my very first trip to Japan recently. After having travelled all throughout Asia over my career, Japan always eluded me until now. My business partner and I travelled there to meet with our newest client, who had recently opened a new research center focused on solutions for the paper industry.

Summertime memories

In my early youth near 10 years old I would 'slip off' from my rural home to the bayou for a swim during the hot Summer. Often my brothers older and younger would join me. In fact, it was, Cordell my older brother who introduced me to swimming & taught me to swim.

Patent Applications and Patents

Ethics in Automation

This article is not directly focused on Industry 4.0 but is an example of what can happen in automation projects and how fundamental principles of engineering and ethics must not be overlooked. This is a true story, but I am not going to mention names or companies.

[Adv.] Fulton Systems

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

FSEA Announces 32nd Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Award Honorees

Winners Celebrated at 2025 AMPLIFY Print

Old-growth forest logging resumed in Finland - Stora Enso breaking its sustainability promises

In March we warned that forestry giant Stora Enso's products may contain traces of old growth forests. Well now we know that they do, with fresh proof from Kainuu, Finland. This is a problem the company could easily solve, with stronger sustainability criteria, but does it want to?

Read the monthly Industree 4.0 newsletters here

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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.

OSHA fines contractor for fall at Sappi Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine

The federal agency fined a Washington-based contractor, that employed the worker who was seriously injured, about $13,000, records show.

Profit warning: Metsä Group's comparable operating result for April-June 2025 will be clearly negative

The negative comparable operating result was caused particularly by the weak demand for market pulp in Europe and China. The uncertainty caused by US import duties has had a negative impact on the purchasing behaviour of paperboard customers in particular.

9-year-old girl dies after being left in hot car by mother during work shift at USG Corp. facility near Galena Park, Texas

Mother detained at the scene.

Situation Under Control After Fire Department Deployment at Metsä Group's Kreuzau Plant - Production Continues Without Disruption

The negative comparable operating result was caused particularly by the weak demand for market pulp in Europe and China. The uncertainty caused by US import duties has had a negative impact on the purchasing behaviour of paperboard customers in particular.

Later this month: Two-day auction for former Ponderay Newsprint mill assets is coming up on July 22-23

A unique opportunity to acquire high-capacity paper manufacturing equipment and mill support assets is set to unfold as three leading industrial asset management firms--PPL Group, CRG, and Rabin Worldwide--join forces to conduct a public auction of the former Ponderay Newsprint Mill located in Usk, Washington. The auction will be held online and the two-day sale will be on July 22nd and July 23rd. Pre-Auction offers are encouraged.

Metsä Tissue to cut 93 jobs at Kreuzau mill in Germany

As a result of the negotiations, the total reduction of employees is 93 out of original estimation of 123 and made without compulsory redundancies.

Nine Dragons Paper starts up new pulp mill in Hubei, China

The new state-of-the-art mill includes world-leading process technology and production equipment.

Packaging Corporation of America announces agreement to Purchase Greif Containerboard business for $1.8 billion

Packaging Corporation of America on July 1 announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the containerboard business of Greif, Inc. for $1.8 billion in cash. The transaction is expected to close by the end of PCA's third quarter, subject to certain customary conditions and regulatory approvals.

International Paper Completes Divestiture of Five European Corrugated Box Plants to Satisfy Regulatory Commitments from the Acquisition of DS Smith

International Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging, today announced the completion of the divestiture of five European plants to PALM Group to satisfy regulatory commitments from its acquisition of DS Smith Plc.

Western Forest Products Inc. Announces Fire Damages Columbia Vista Division Sawmill

Western Forest Products Inc. announced that the sawmill at its Columbia Vista Division, located in Vancouver, Washington, sustained extensive damage in a fire, rendering the mill inoperable.

Rayonier Completes Sale of New Zealand Business to The Rohatyn Group

Rayonier Inc. announced the completion of the previously announced sale of entities holding its 77% interest in the New Zealand joint venture to a special purpose vehicle owned by an investment fund managed by The Rohatyn Group ("TRG"), a global asset manager specializing in emerging markets and real assets, for a purchase price of $710 million.

International Paper facility in Marion, Ohio closing, over 100 workers to be let go

International Paper stated the facility will close on Sept. 1, 2025. As a result, 107 employees -- both salaried and hourly -- will lose their jobs.

Domtar Powell River mill property sales agreement reached

Domtar and Cranberry Business Park Ltd. come to terms over Catalyst Paper Tis'kwat mill site.

International Paper unveils restructuring for North American operations

Company to Exit Molded Fiber Business; Additional Facility Changes Planned

Canfor to close two South Carolina sawmills, cut 290 jobs amid weak market

Approximately 290 employees will be affected by the closures, which will also reduce Canfor's U.S. lumber production capacity by 350 million board feet annually.

Two-day auction for former Ponderay Newsprint mill assets is coming up on July 22-23

A unique opportunity to acquire high-capacity paper manufacturing equipment and mill support assets is set to unfold as three leading industrial asset management firms--PPL Group, CRG, and Rabin Worldwide--join forces to conduct a public auction of the former Ponderay Newsprint Mill located in Usk, Washington. The auction will be held online and the two-day sale will be on July 22nd and July 23rd. Pre-Auction offers are encouraged.

Michigan AG settles lawsuit with Domtar over PFAS contamination in St. Clair County

The settlement requires Domtar to remove the PFAS-contaminated sludge from the site and dispose of it in a licensed landfill. Domtar will also be required to investigate the presence of PFAs in the sediment in surface water at the site, and pay $300,000 to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to help clear the site of PFAS.

Logs from overturned truck collide with train in northern Ontario near Interfor site

A northern Ontario forestry company says a train crossing Highway 560 collided Wednesday morning, June 25, with logs that were spilled by an overturned contractor's trailer.

Smurfit Westrock employee shot, injured in El Paso, Texas; suspect shot by police

El Paso Police Department officers responded to a call of a man with a gun, and arrived to find that the manager at the facility --identified as 46-year-old Leonardo Martinez of El Paso -- had been shot and wounded, Gomez said.

Essity awarded supplier engagement leader by CDP for sixth consecutive year

Essity has, for the sixth consecutive year, been acknowledged for its leadership in sustainability by the global non-profit environmental organization CDP. Essity has been recognized on CDP's 2024 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard list for its efforts in involving suppliers in climate change initiatives.

Georgia-Pacific Safety Initiatives Earn Corrugated Industry Recognition

Georgia-Pacific's commitment to the safety of their employees is on full display at four of their corrugated facilities after earning recognition from the Fibre Box Association (FBA) for their innovative, bottom-up safety solutions.

Huhtamaki earns EcoVadis gold medal for fifth year in a row

Huhtamaki has received the prestigious Gold Medal from EcoVadis for the fifth consecutive year, placing us in the top 5% of more than 130,000 rated companies worldwide.

Ahlstrom receives binding offer for Abrasives business from Munksjö

Ahlstrom, a leader in sustainable fiber-based specialty materials, today announces that it has received a binding offer for its Abrasives business unit from Munksjö, a leading international manufacturer of decor paper solutions.

Saica Group Wins Seven Accolades at FIA Print Awards 2025

Saica Group has once again been recognized for its excellence in flexographic printing, securing seven awards at the FIA Print Awards 2025 through its operations at Saica Pack Livingston & Saica Flex Buxton. This year´s accolades include two gold awards, two silver awards and three bronze awards, reflecting the group's ongoing commitment to print excellence, technical innovation, and sustainable packaging.

Novolex Appoints Tamer Abuaita as New Chief Operating Officer

Novolex ®, a leading manufacturer in the food and beverage packaging industry, announced that Tamer Abuaita has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. In this new role, Abuaita will oversee all Novolex global operating functions. He will be based in Charlotte, NC and will report to Novolex Chairman and CEO, Stan Bikulege. Abuaita succeeds Doug Owenby, who has served as Interim COO during the company's initial integration with Pactiv Evergreen. Owenby will continue in an advisory capacity.

Indonesia court dismisses peatland smoke lawsuit

Asia Pulp & Paper did not respond to a request for comment.

MLTC signs agreement with Tolko to improve lumber services

The tribal council signed a memorandum of understanding with Tolko Industries to establish a Lumber for Nations program.

Mercer further improves Sustainalytics ESG Risk Rating, ranking in the top 15% globally

Mercer International Inc., a global forest products company with operations in Germany, the U.S., and Canada, announces that it has received an updated ESG Risk Rating of 16.8 from Sustainalytics. This updated score reflects continued improvement from its 2024 rating of 17.4, underscoring Mercer's ongoing progress and commitment to ESG risk management.

American Forest & Paper Association Applauds Vital Tax Reform for U.S. Manufacturing

American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Heidi Brock issued a statement in response to H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, being signed into law.

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!

Amcor and Cofigeo partner to create multi-compartment tray designed for convenience and sustainability

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, announced it has designed and produced a bespoke three-compartment ready meal tray for a new range of single-serve ambient microwaveable ready meals from specialist French manufacturer Cofigeo.

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 June 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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Items just for you

About SAP Selects

This section contains a collection of Paperitalo articles highlighted by SAP for their relevance to how the paper and packaging industry is evolving and how technology can help support that progress.

Just around the corner now

A bit of technology five years in the making. It is about time.

Pulp & Paper Radio International Program Schedule and Archives

Click here to listen to our latest episodes!

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.