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2018 TAPPI/PIMA Awards  BY JAN BOTTIGLIERI Each year, Paper360° is honored to showcase members of our industry who lead by example—in their service to others, their exemplary management, or their remarkable contributions to helping our industry innovate and grow. Here, you’ll meet the winners of the TAPPI/PIMA national-level awards—the association’s highest honors—as well as those receiving awards from several TAPPI ...

RBI leads the way in new, innovative ways to use nanocellulose to improve composites and replace synthetic materials. KELLY B. SMITH Around the world, researchers are finding more and more evidence that the frailty of our planet and the changes within its atmospheric patterns are in critical need of attention. Rapid population growth and an increasing need for landfills due ...

Nanocellulose materials offer tremendous potential in a range of automotive applications—and the opportunities will keep growing, says Ford Research Scientist Alper Kiziltas. JAN BOTTIGLIERI Can nanocellulose really offer automotive manufacturers better performance, at a lower cost, with a greener footprint? Maybe Billy Ocean said it best: “Get out of my dreams… and into my car.” At the nanoscale, a material’s ...

An interview with Miles Roberts, DS Smith MARK RUSHTON “Being able to navigate the volatile OCC and containerboard situation without missing a beat in terms of growing earnings and cash flows” and “Under Roberts’ leadership, DS Smith continues to capture margin by providing creative service and product enhancement to its myriad customers.” These were just two comments cited from investment ...

We surveyed three industry suppliers who work with pulp and paper industry customers to capture and use data in mill environments and asked them for some quick tips on how mills can get the most from their data. Answers were provided by: • Michael Gee, North American Account Manager – Wedge, Trimble Forestry • Kai Vikman, COO, Industry Business Group, Pöyry ...

A recent Water Industry Forum explored how data collected from water facilities can be used to address global water scarcity and cleanliness challenges. JAN BOTTIGLIERI By the year 2030, global water demand is expected to outpace sustainable supply by 40 percent, according to the UN. Yet water is essential not only to our industry’s progress and success, but to human ...

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 ...

Growth, inflation and uncertainly mark the industry’s global outlook; but markets should loosen in early 2018. GRAEME RODDEN Economists see hope for some sectors of the forest products industry—but the bad news for graphic papers seems to have no end. Lassa Sinikallas, director, macroeconomics at RISI, was the kickoff speaker at the 32nd annual RISI North American Conference in Boston ...

International Paper began the road to injury-free in 2010 with the introduction of the LIFE initiative, which focuses on eliminating life-changing injuries and fatalities. KIRT CUEVAS At International Paper (IP) we believe the true measure of success is our ability to send every team member, contractor, and visitor home safely at the end of each day. Safety is a core ...