Big Data Tools that Advance Quality and Improve Economics in Papermaking PETER W. HART There is a significant opportunity for improving quality and economic performance in paper manufacturing through application of Big Data analysis. Obstacles are being overcome, but improvements in complementary analytical tools are still needed and are in development. Through these tools, mills can reap significant benefits. The ...

ROD FISHER, FISHER INTERNATIONAL Business intelligence (BI) has come a long way in recent years. In the wake of Big Data and information overload, enhanced search methodologies and advanced systems have surfaced that fine-tune business intelligence to swiftly deliver targeted pieces of knowledge that can inform decisions and drive actions. Yet many organizations underutilize BI, which can have a significant ...

LARRY WARREN Why should mills invest in safety education for employees and contractors? There are multiple, critical reasons to do so: • Protecting the welfare of all employees, including company and contractor • Providing a safe work environment • Controlling costs • Staying current on mandated safety requirements Investing in safety education can ensure both employees and contractors are duly ...

Each spring the Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry (ASPI) brings together leaders from a wide range of pulp, paper, and packaging industry suppliers to further their knowledge about how best to serve industry customers. This year is no exception. The ASPI Spring program features industry CEOs—plus ample networking opportunities—in a relaxed, informal setting. The 2018 ASPI Spring Meeting ...

SAMANTHA GEIER In August of 2016, TAPPI launched an online platform allowing members, non-members, volunteers, and consultants to collaborate, share knowledge and expand their personal and professional networks. Since its launch, TAPPI Connect has been a valuable resource for divisions and committees in building technical programs for conferences, developing Standards and Technical Information Papers, sharing meeting minutes and presentations, and ...

TEDD POWERS, FISHER INTERNATIONAL Global trade is one of the most important issues in the pulp and paper industry. While trade is a great opportunity for some, it is a great threat to others. In some regions, domestic producers worry about the impact imports will have on the profitability of their markets. For others, finding new customers beyond their borders ...

The Operations and Maintenance Partnership TOR IDHAMMAR I would like to extend a large thank you to Larry for the kind words and to the whole TAPPI team for enhancing reliability and maintenance content for TAPPI members. IDCON is looking forward to helping the partnership grow and succeed. For you who don’t know IDCON, here is a very short introduction. ...

For more than a decade, TAPPI has partnered with IDCON to provide its members with valuable information about reliability and maintenance issues in the pulp and paper industry. That’s why it’s exciting to finally be inaugurating this new section in Paper360°, TAPPI’s official member magazine. I think a humming paper machine—whether it’s running tissue, kraft, liner, or a specialty grade—is ...

The papers summarized here are from the September and October 2017 issues of TAPPI Journal. TAPPI Journal is an online publication of relevant and timely peer-reviewed research delivered via email and free to all TAPPI members. To receive TAPPI Journal, join TAPPI at www.tappi.org. SEPTEMBER PAPERMAKING Three-dimensional pore structure visualization and characterization of paper using x-ray computed tomography Yves Defrenne, ...

MARCELO RIBEIRO The primary organic contaminant in the pulping process is pitch. Pitch reduces pulp mill efficiencies and productivity from the washers through to the pulp dryer. Talc, an inorganic adsorbent, is the most common treatment for pitch control. Talc can cause scaling on evaporators, and is generally applied after brownstock washing. Yet talc has been raised as a health ...