Unlock the Future of Tissue at TAPPICon 2025
Join global experts at TAPPICon 2025, May 4-7 in Minneapolis, MN, for a comprehensive program spanning the entire tissue production process.
TAPPICon 2025 is poised to be the premier event for tissue professionals across the globe. Whether you’re involved in fiber, manufacturing, chemicals, converting, or final products, TAPPICon offers a rich program that covers the entire tissue production process in multiple ways. From advanced furnish selection to the latest innovations in energy-efficient tissue machine operations, this year’s tissue topics promise to provide practical strategies and tactical tips to help you excel in an ever-evolving industry.
A COMPLETE PICTURE OF TISSUE OPERATIONS
The comprehensive program at TAPPICon 2025 ensures that all aspects of the tissue-making process are addressed. “Tissue presentations will delve deep into each area of production, offering valuable insights for everyone in the industry, whether you’re focused on raw materials, process optimization, or product quality,” commented Jessica Carette, R&D project director at Cascades and TAPPICon 2025 co-chair. “Attendees can look forward to groundbreaking advancements, innovative techniques, and strategies that drive efficiency and sustainability in tissue operations.”
TISSUE FURNISH SELECTION AND OPTIMIZATION
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One key presentation on tissue furnish optimization is “Expanding Tissue Furnish Options Through Advanced Pulp Refining Technology” by Gary Li of Suzano, which explores how high-consistency refining (HCR) technology can enhance tissue production by improving fiber performance and energy efficiency. Li compares HCR with traditional low-consistency refining (LCR) and highlights the benefits of using eucalyptus pulp. His presentation will provide insights into R&D efforts focused on optimizing refining strategies, diversifying fiber furnish options, and using 100 percent eucalyptus pulp in tissue manufacturing.
TISSUE STOCK PREPARATION AND CHEMICAL OPTIMIZATION
Jiayu Wang of Nalco will present “New Strength Additive for Towel” as part of the program. His presentation will detail how this anionic strength additive works synergistically with wet strength resins to provide significant improvements in both dry and wet tensile strength, offering multiple operational benefits such as reduced chemical consumption, enhanced fiber retention, and improved machine productivity.
TISSUE MACHINE OPERATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Energy efficiency and effective tissue machine operation are critical in reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact. TAPPICon offers multiple expert-led presentations, including “Innovative Helical Yankee Hood Design for Improved Profiling” by Alfredo Sarli of Valmet. His presentation explores a new Yankee hood design aimed at optimizing the tissue drying process. With its innovative helical nozzle pattern, the hood improves profiling by minimizing the issues common in traditional designs. The result is a 12 percent increase in drying volume, improved drying quality, balanced energy consumption, and the ability to meet market demands for both high-quality and high-quantity tissue production.
The presentation “Single Most Common Failure and Three-Part Solution When Deploying Web Inspection Solutions on Tissue Machines” by Brian Mock of Event Capture Systems will also be featured at TAPPICon. Mock addresses the critical challenges faced by web inspection systems (WIS) in tissue production. Using case studies from paper mills, he introduces a three-part solution involving patented software, smart camera technology, and a supervised deep-learning neural network to eliminate false defects and improve the accuracy and efficiency of web inspection systems.
Additional presentations include “Enhancing Tissue Wet Pressing Performance and Dry End Material Efficiency for Cost Savings” by Tatu Pitkänen of Valmet, and “Reducing Environmental Impact in Tissue Production: The Sustainable Innovation of UltraCORE” by Mark Whettal of CPV Ltd.
TISSUE CONVERTING
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TAPPICon 2025 also offers several presentations focused on improving tissue converting efficiency through automation. Valmet’s Nathaniel Angle will present, “Advancing Paper and Tissue Making Efficiency with AI-based Web Inspection and Unwind Automation Technology,” sharing how new AI-driven web inspection and unwind automation technologies can significantly improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Total Machine Efficiency (TME) in tissue and paper production, advancing both sustainability and defect management. Angle will also discuss how the industry’s first non-marking unwind automation solution enhances safety and reliability, while optimizing defect handling and processing efficiency with features like Stop-on-Defect and Slow-on-Defect.
Attendees will also hear from Stefano Spinelli of BW Converting as he delves into smart automation technologies with his presentation, “Advancing Tissue Converting: Smart Automation for Optimized Efficiency, Consistency, and Reduced Operator Strain.” Spinelli will take a pragmatic look at tissue converting automation, from fundamental machine design to integrated smart features that significantly reduce operator dependency while improving overall efficiency.
FINISHED GOODS PROPERTIES AND DUST MITIGATION
As the final stage in tissue production, finished goods quality is crucial to customer satisfaction. Key presentations at TAPPICon focus on enhancing the properties of finished tissue goods. “Tactile Evaluation of Softness of Tissue—An Overview of Panel Methods (TIP 0808-08)” by Jessica Carette will provide an in-depth look at methods for evaluating the softness of tissue products. Her presentation offers a thorough understanding of softness evaluation techniques, a crucial factor in determining product quality and customer satisfaction in finished tissue products.
Additionally, “Measuring & Recording Tissue Paper Dust on Paper Machines & Converting Assets” by Dave Zerr of Pulmac Systems will tackle the issue of tissue paper dust, offering innovative solutions for measuring and minimizing this common problem in production.
TAPPICON 2025: NEW PROGRAM FORMAT—EXPANDED SECTORS
This year, TAPPICon has expanded its focus beyond tissue and paper to include pulping, engineering, and biobased products, making it the perfect event for professionals across the entire forest products industry. The conference also introduces a new program format focused on six critical topics that affect all industry sectors: Equipment, Processes & Operations; Emerging Technologies & Methodologies; Corporate Citizenship, Sustainability & Environmental Impact; Innovative Technology for Products & Processes; Pulp & Fiber Innovations, Alternative Materials and Applications; and Talent Development, Safety & Best Practices. Complementing these topics are three in-depth, division-led technical tracks that delve deeper into tissue, paper, pulping, and other advancements. This format ensures a well-rounded exploration of current challenges and opportunities, fostering innovation and knowledge-sharing among professionals.
In addition to the expert-led presentations, TAPPICon 2025 offers a wealth of additional learning and networking opportunities, such as TAPPI’s Tissue 101: Properties and Processes Course, beginning on Sunday, May 4, which is perfect for newcomers to the tissue industry or professionals seeking a refresher. Tissue will also be a key topic during the popular Hot Topics Roundtables on Wednesday, May 7, providing a platform for dynamic, open discussions on industry trends and challenges.
NETWORKING, INNOVATION, AND CELEBRATING 110 YEARS OF TAPPI
With an expected 1,800 attendees from around the world, TAPPICon 2025 is also a premier networking event, offering conference-goers ample opportunities to connect with industry leaders and strengthen their business relationships.
A highlight of the conference will be TAPPI’s 110th Anniversary and Awards Gala on Sunday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m., where attendees can celebrate the achievements of the past and look forward to a bright future for the industry.
Other key events include TAPPI’s Women’s Summit (May 3), Speed Networking/New Member Meet-Up (May 4), Executive Panel and State of the Industry (May 5), Student Poster Session/Competition (May 5 & 6), Solution Center Soiree (May 5), and much more.
Attendees can also visit the Solution Center (formerly Exhibit Hall), which features more than 100 leading suppliers showcasing cutting-edge technologies and solutions.
REGISTER TODAY
“This year’s TAPPICon 2025 theme, Collaborate, Educate, Elevate: A Confluence of Ideas and Solutions, perfectly captures the spirit of the event. Minneapolis, known for the confluence of its great rivers, sets the stage for a gathering that brings professionals together to share, learn, and innovate. After a year of thoughtful planning, incorporating feedback from focus groups and past attendees, TAPPICon 2025 promises to be the best yet,” commented Carette, “With an expanded range of presentations organized around shared interests, this year’s conference truly offers something for everyone. Join us in Minneapolis to connect, grow, and be part of this confluence of expertise and innovation.”
Register today and save at TAPPICon.org. The early bird deadline ends April 1.
