Week of 14 July 2025: Housekeeping: GMP, cGMP and the 10 Golden Rules

While many paper and paperboard products are used to package food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics (all products either ingested or applied to living beings), I seldom see GMP, or cGMP applied to their manufacture. I once worked at a facility where when we made a certain poor-quality board, we actually sold it to a local pizza chain for boxes that directly touched the product! Why? Because it wouldn't pass the test for a major food company. If you are not familiar with GMP or cGMP, these are widely adopted standards originally developed by the bakery industry. They have been adopted and formalized by the FDA and the World Health Organization.

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.

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.

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.] Essco Incorporated - Doctor Blade Manufacturing & Expertise

(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?

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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.

Fire damages Green Bay paper mill; firefighter taken to hospital

Firefighters were on-scene for four hours. One was taken to the hospital as a precaution due to a medical condition.

Sonoco Announces $30 Million Capital Investment to Expand Adhesives and Sealants Market Capacity

Sonoco Products Company, a global leader in value-added sustainable packaging, is pleased to announce a $30 million capital investment to expand its production capacity in the growing adhesives and sealants (A&S) market. This strategic initiative will add 100 million additional units of annual capacity, ensuring Sonoco continues to meet increasing market demands while enhancing supply security.

Northern Pulp to initiate sale of assets

Nova Scotia's minister of natural resources says it's 'not the outcome we had hoped for'

Kadant Acquires Babbini and GPS Engineering to Expand Fiber Processing Capabilities

Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Civitella di Romagna, Italy, Babbini is a recognized leader in screw press technology and dewatering applications for multiple industrial sectors, including paper recycling. GPS, based in Legnano, Italy, enhances Babbini's capabilities with system integration expertise and custom gearboxes for demanding industrial applications.

Two-day online auction for former Ponderay Newsprint mill assets set for 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.

Suspect in Smurfit Westrock facility officer-involved shooting released from hospital, in jail

The man accused of shooting an officer and a Smurfit Westrock manufacturing facility employee in Lower Valley last month was released from the hospital and booked into jail.

Sappi Europe plans to close paper machines at Alfeld mill in Germany; up to 200 jobs could be affected

To ensure long-term viability, the proposed restructure includes the potential closure of Paper Machine 1, Paper Machine 4, Offline Coater 2, and Sheet Finishing.

Kruger Products' Memphis site announces new converting line for bathroom tissue and paper towels

Kruger Products Inc. announced that its subsidiary, K.T.G. (USA) Inc. will be investing approximately $35 million in a new converting line for bathroom tissue and paper towels at its site in Memphis, TN. The installation is expected to be completed in Q2/2026 and will create about 20 jobs.

Cascades announces the permanent closure of its Niagara Falls corrugated medium manufacturing operations

Cascades Inc. announces that its corrugated medium manufacturing facility in Niagara Falls, NY will be permanently closed as part of the optimization of the Company's packaging production platform. Production will end no later than September 3, 2025.

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.

Ontario Protecting Forest Sector Jobs and Workers

The Government of Ontario is protecting workers and jobs in the forest sector by investing over $9.1 million in five research, innovation and modernization projects in Eastern Ontario. The investments from the Forest Biomass Program will help boost Ontario's forest sector's competitive advantage by creating new jobs, increasing productivity and opening up opportunities for revenue streams in new markets.

Two-alarm fire at southwest Charlotte, N.C. Sonoco recycling center

Firefighters were able to get the fire under control in 50 minutes.

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.

Smurfit Westrock wraps up prestigious Legrand innovation award

Nertop® - Smurfit Westrock's sustainable pallet wrap solution - was named first place in the Sustainability category after 180 entries were submitted and assessed.

AF&PA Appreciates U.S. Administration Efforts to Address Non-Tariff Trade Barriers

EUDR continues to pose a critical trade risk for U.S. paper manufacturing .

Georgia-Pacific and Trackonomy Bring Real-Time Visibility to Plywood Shipments Ahead of Hurricane Season

Partnership enables just-in-time plywood deliveries to Home Depot and Lowe's as demand surges for hurricane preparedness supplies.

Lecta, Aligned with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Working to Ensure its Full Implementation

New procedures have been established, while IT systems are being prepared to ensure proper compliance.

Norske Skog Golbey start-up paves the way for future growth

The major highlight of the quarter was the commissioning of PM1 at the Norske Skog Golbey mill. The machine produced its first paper reel at the end of May, with approximately 4 000 tonnes produced during the quarter.

18 leading forestry companies to test natural capital accounting with TNFD and Capitals Coalition

This world-wide, forest sector-wide, pilot of natural capital accounting could deliver breakthrough when it comes to adding nature to the balance sheet.

Investing in Communities: Domtar, Owned by Jackson Wijaya, Puts Vision into Action

Since the launch of Domtar Connects, dozens of projects have come to life across North America, from funding school libraries and technical training programs to sponsoring local environmental cleanups and supporting Indigenous community partnerships. At the heart of each initiative is a shared belief: Strong communities create stronger companies.

Lecta expands its EraCup Range: a new era of responsibility for paper cups

Innovative board solutions to meet the growing demand for more sustainable packaging in food and beverage applications.

Stora Enso and Novapor Converting the future of packaging

Stora Enso is excited to team up with Novapor in a pilot project featuring our cellulose foam packaging material Papira®.

Sun Chemical Launches New Sustainable UV Offset Ink Series for Printed Plastic Cups

SunCure EcoPlast is a revolutionary new UV ink technology for plastic cup decoration that delivers high adhesion, fast cure speed, low migration properties and the ability to be washed off printed cups in post-consumer recycling processes, thereby improving recycled plastic quality. The inks are designed to be used with automated MX12 dispensing equipment to support on-site blending of spot colors.

Graphic Packaging Issues 2024 Impact Report: Toward a Better Future

Graphic Packaging Holding Company, a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, announced the release of its 2024 Impact Report. The report highlights the company's progress toward its Better by 2030 commitments announced last year, as part of a multi-year Better, Every Day sustainability initiative.

Sonoco Achieves Prestigious Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) Accreditation

Sonoco joined PSC in 2024 to align its packaging innovations with PSC's mission of advancing sustainable business practices across the pet industry. PSC accreditation is awarded to companies demonstrating tangible progress in environmental stewardship, social responsibility and transparent reporting.

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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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.