Atlas Science Center Earth Day Event

Photo from Atlas Science Center

April 27, 2024• 11AM-4PM at Atlas Science Center in Appleton, WI

Activities Fun For All Ages

11:00 AM: Doors open

Sustainable Solutions Theater - 11:00 AM-4:00PM

• American Chemical Society

  The day begins with American Chemical Society’s hands-on experiments for “Chemists Celebrate Earth Day” in our Sustainable Solutions exhibit. Each activity relates chemistry to Earth Day this year with the theme “Get a Charge Out of Chemistry!” Explore more about how batteries work with “Ice Tray Battery,”
  “The Great Electron Ripoff” and “Metals: They’re Electrifying!” Learn the impact that chemistry has on keeping our Earth healthy with these walk-up interactive activities all day long! 

Science Live! Stage Shows: 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM

• Nels Huse from Menominee Tribal Enterprises - 11:30 AM

  Discussion, video and Earth Day giveaways all about sustainable forestry

• Erika Segerson-Mueller from DNR - 1:00 PM 

  Discusses world of plants that takeover by playing “Invasion” and learning how to plant seedling/handing out seedlings from the DNR & WI Paper Council – after the 1:00 PM stage show (while supplies last) 

• Don Guay from Ahlstrom Paper - 2:30 PM

  Interactive presentation about how trees can be a part of our sustainable future in more ways that we imagine by transforming them into things like medical devices and even vehicles and airplanes!   

Seed Paper Science Labs (River Level): 12:15 PM, 1:45 PM & 3:15 PM

• Hosted by MsPlanet (Amanda Zehren)

  Learn the science behind how paper is made and embed flower seeds into the paper. You can plant the paper at home and watch your flowers grow and bloom!

Earth Day Scavenger Hunt with prizes inside and outside

• AND SO MUCH MORE!

From www.atlassciencecenter.org

UW–Madison biochemist wins prestigious forestry prize for discoveries that support sustainable energy and product innovations

UW-Madison biochemistry professor John Ralph. photo from news.wisc.edu.

“The world’s top prize in forestry research has been awarded to University of Wisconsin–Madison biochemistry professor John Ralph for work that has led to new uses for one of the world’s most abundant natural resources.

The Marcus Wallenberg Foundation on Wednesday awarded the 2024 Marcus Wallenberg Prize to Ralph and collaborator Wout Boerjan, a professor at Ghent University in Belgium, for their groundbreaking research on the molecular structure of lignin, one of the main components of plant cell walls.

Dubbed the ‘Nobel Prize for forestry’ as the highest award in the field, the prize honors scientific achievements that contribute to knowledge and technical developments in forestry and the forest products industry, from growing trees to using forest-based products.

Lignin, which binds plant sugars together and provides strength and rigidity, is the most abundant source of natural aromatic compounds — a type used to make fuels, pesticides, paints, medicines and other products — yet its complex and irregular structure makes it difficult to break down into useful components.

According to the prize announcement, the scientists developed and innovatively applied advanced analytical techniques in ways that enhance understanding of lignin biosynthesis and structure in trees and provide a basis for new ways to deconstruct wood and use lignin.”

Quote from news.wisc.edu

International Paper announces agreement to acquire DS Smith

“International Paper and DS Smith announced that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended all-share combination (the “Combination”), creating a truly global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.

The terms of the Combination value each DS Smith share at 415 pence per share, and will result in IP issuing 0.1285 shares for each DS Smith share, resulting in pro forma ownership of 66.3 percent for IP shareholders and 33.7 percent for DS Smith shareholders, implying a transaction value of approximately $9.9 billion. The Combination is expected to close by the fourth quarter of 2024.

“Combining with DS Smith is a logical next step in IP’s strategy to drive profitable growth by strengthening our global packaging business,” said Mark S. Sutton, Chairman and CEO of IP. “DS Smith is a leader in packaging solutions with an extensive reach across Europe, which complements IP’s capabilities and will accelerate growth through innovation and sustainability. We are confident this combination will drive significant value for our employees, customers, and shareholders.”

CEO-Elect of IP, Andrew K. Silvernail added, “Bringing together the capabilities and expertise of both companies will create a winning position in renewable packaging across Europe, while also enhancing IP’s North American business. I firmly believe this strategic combination offers a unique and highly compelling opportunity to create tremendous shareholder value. I am also committed to working with the teams to deliver the expected synergies, along with the ongoing profit improvement initiatives across the IP portfolio.”

CEO of DS Smith, Miles Roberts, said, “The combination with IP is an attractive opportunity to create a truly international sustainable packaging solutions leader that is well positioned in attractive and growing markets across Europe and North America. It combines two focused and complementary businesses. DS Smith has grown significantly through a dedication to customers, focus on innovation, quality of packaging and high levels of service. In a dynamic sustainable packaging landscape, the combination will enhance our global proposition to customers, create opportunities for colleagues and drive value for shareholders who can remain fully invested in such an exciting business. I am proud of all that DS Smith has achieved to date and am sure that the business will continue to flourish as part of a combined group with IP due to the capability and continued commitment of our colleagues.”

Quote from www.papnews.com

Capital Recovery Group announces dates for auctioning paper mill equipment in Wisconsin Rapids

photo from billerud.com

“Paper machines and other equipment will be auctioned off later this month in Wisconsin Rapids.

Verso announced in June 2020 it would idle production at its paper mills in Wisconsin Rapids and Duluth, Minnesota, at the end of July because of a decline in demand for graphic paper. In March 2022, Verso officially merged with BillerudKorsnäs AB, who since changed its name to Billerud. Last month, Billerud announced it would sell the idled portions of its Wisconsin Rapids paper mill to Capital Recovery Group LLC.

PCR Rapids, a group made up of Capital Recovery Group, Rabin Worldwide and PPL Group, announced Friday it will start finding parties interested in buying the entire mill site or select portions. According to that announcement, the entire site stands on 1,400 acres along the Wisconsin River. PCR will own the land, but Billerud will continue owning and operating its hydroelectric facilities and the converting facility, employing 130 workers directly.

PCR will market paper machines and other operating equipment for sale. At the same time, the group will host a three-day public auction for spare inventory, maintenance equipment, rolling stock and more from April 23 through 25. Items up for auction include fabricating equipment, complete machine shops, welders, bulldozers, cranes, log loaders, forklifts, pumps, winders and more. The auction can be found at www.rabin.com. More information and appointments can be made to see items for sale by contacting Rabin Worldwide.”

Quote from www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com

WPC Member Appointed to Gubernatorial Workforce Council

The Wisconsin Paper Council would like to congratulate Masood Akhtar on his recent appointment by Governor Tony Evers as a Business Representative on the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment.  This council is the federally-mandated entity under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that assists the Governor in developing innovative and dynamic approaches to Wisconsin’s workforce. 

You can read more about this council HERE. 

“I would personally like to thank Governor Evers for appointing me on this very important Council, a federally-mandated group under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. I look forward to assisting the governor in proposing creative approaches to addressing workforce shortages, one of the biggest issues facing employers in Wisconsin, with the ultimate goal of moving Wisconsin economy forward”, said Masood Akhtar, President and Founder of Cleantech Partners.    

EPA releases maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in drinking water

“Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the much-anticipated National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The regulation, like NPDWR for other chemicals, includes enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), as shown below. The new federal MCLs are considered the maximum allowable concentrations in parts per trillion (ppt) of select PFAS in public drinking water systems.

The new federal regulations establish a common national threshold for allowable concentrations of PFAS in drinking water, moving away from a patchwork of state rules and regulations. Individual states are still allowed to establish their own drinking water rules and regulations for PFAS, provided they are lower than the federal MCLs. However, if current state-enforceable levels are higher than the federal MCLs, public water systems within that state must abide by the federal levels.”

Quote from www.barr.com

Study shows benefits of recycling paper sacks

The 4evergreen alliance sets out to increase the recycling rate of fibre-based packaging to 90% by 2030. Accessing industrial packaging such as paper sacks as new fibre source can be part of the solution.

The European sack kraft paper and paper sack industry commissioned independent research in the recyclability of paper sacks. The study concludes that not only are used and unused paper sacks perfectly recyclable. They also offer product and process benefits when incorporated into the recovered fibre furnish.

Paper sacks are a widely used fibre-based packaging for industrial and consumer sectors. About 5.3 billion paper sacks have been placed on the European market in 2023. Like household and on-the-go packaging, they sometimes contain polymer coatings and free films to add functionality.

“These additional materials as well as possible product residues have contributed to engrained perceptions that paper sacks are not compatible with standard recycling processes,” explains Catherine Plitzko-Kerninon, General Delegate of EUROSAC, the European Federation of Multiwall Paper Sack Manufacturers. “However, it lacked a systematic analysis if this reflects reality. As recovering fibres from paper sacks can save natural and economic resources and reduce CO2 emissions, we decided to have this investigated.”

Quote from www.papnews.com

Northern States Power-Wisconsin celebrates 100th anniversary

photo from stories.xcelenergy.com

For generations, Xcel Energy’s operating company, Northern States Power-Wisconsin (NSPW), has reliably served customers in Wisconsin and Michigan with the energy to power their lives. And on Sunday, April 7, 2024, NSPW celebrated its 100th anniversary, with a nod to its past and an eye toward the future.

“Our history is long, but fast-changing – and marked by disruptions and a myriad of technological milestones,” said Karl Hoesly, president, Xcel Energy–Wisconsin and Michigan. “In the 16 years I’ve been with the company a lot has changed – from technological and economic advances to increasing competition, regulations and climate goals to energy consumption habits.”

NSPW has its roots in several early industries – logging, gas and light companies and the electric railway. But the journey began in 1923, when Northern States Power Company of Minnesota purchased the Wisconsin-Minnesota Light and Power Company, which had recently completed the Wissota Hydroelectric Project. Under Wisconsin law, utilities that operate in the state must be incorporated in the state, so the newly acquired company, with headquarters that moved from La Crosse to Eau Claire, was renamed Northern States Power-Wisconsin on April 7, 1924.

The company quickly sprang to life and within a decade transformed the great hydroelectric potential of the region by constructing a system of interconnected, semi-automatic hydroelectric plants and storage reservoirs. By 1929, NSPW was operating a system of five hydro plants on one river. About 80% of the U.S. population had electric service by the 1940s, and consumption was twice that of the 1920s. Today, we operate 19 hydroelectric generating plants on eight rivers in Wisconsin, as part of our diverse renewable energy portfolio, which also includes Upper Midwest wind farms, solar projects and biomass facilities.

The company also expanded by offering natural gas service, and through acquisitions and mergers, NSPW grew to include customers in northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, further strengthening its reach.

Since 2000, the company has been known as Xcel Energy, and serves 265,000 electric and 120,000 natural gas customers in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Xcel Energy comprises four operating companies and serves 3.7 million electric and 2.1 million natural gas customers across eight Midwestern and Western states.

“To reach these historical milestones, it takes the dedication and innovation of thousands of current and retired employees,” Hoesly said. “Our anniversary is more than a celebration; it reflects our commitment to innovation, progress and making a positive impact. As we embark on the next 100 years, I expect that we’ll keep building on our many achievements and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Quote from stories.xcelenergy.com

Vets Ready employer initiative seeks employers who go above and beyond for veterans

Employers in Wisconsin who hire veterans are encouraged to apply now to the Vets Ready Employer Initiative, a Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) designation awarded to organizations that go above and beyond for the veteran workforce.

Vets Ready recognizes organizations that hire and retain veterans, build veteran support systems, and connect with veterans in the community. It also helps employers attract and retain veteran talent. Applications are open through July 19, 2024.

"This year Governor Tony Evers announced that Wisconsin's workforce development services rank 4th in the country for successfully helping veterans find employment. We have a deep commitment to connecting veterans to employers and we're eager to show appreciation for employers that support and advocate for those who have served our country," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. "The Vets Ready Employer Initiative is a great opportunity to highlight employers who work each day to support veterans and their families."

Introduced in 2019, this annual award grants gold or silver certificates to businesses that actively support veterans in their workforce. DWD promotes employers that receive a Vets Ready recognition to veteran job seekers and community partners. Last year, Governor Tony Evers and DWD recognized 17 Vets Ready employers.

DWD partners with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Disabled American Veterans Department of Wisconsin, the Veterans Chamber of Commerce, the Wisconsin American Legion, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves, and the Wisconsin Department of Economic Development on the Vets Ready Employer Initiative. This project is supported by federal award number SLFRP0135 awarded to the Department of Workforce Development via the Wisconsin Department of Administration by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

To apply:

1. Login to the Job Center of Wisconsin as an employer.

2. Hover on the "Employers" menu to get the sub-menu.

3. Click on My Company Information.

4. Click on Manage "Vets Ready Employer Applications" to begin the application process.

Learn more at the Vets Ready website and contact VetsReady@dwd.wisconsin.gov or your local veterans employment representative with Vets Ready questions.

Release from dwd.wisconsin.gov

Republicans send PFAS bill to Evers

photo from wispolitics

“Republicans sent a bill aiming to combat PFAS contamination to Gov. Tony Evers April 4 amid an ongoing standoff on the issue, starting a weeklong countdown for the guv to take action.

Evers has vowed to veto SB 312 over provisions limiting DNR authority to regulate the forever chemicals, which he has argued would benefit polluters. The Dem guv has instead called for the GOP-run Joint Finance Committee to release the $125 million set aside in the state budget and use it to fund an alternate proposal that eliminates those provisions.

Co-author Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, in a letter to Evers said the bill had undergone extensive changes, including at DNR’s request.

‘However, we have been clear from the beginning that we will not sell out the communities on the front lines of the fight against PFAS by removing protections for victims of pollution,’ Wimberger said.

Wimberger said he was ‘extremely concerned’ that Evers doesn’t understand the challenges pollution victims face and that Evers is ‘confused’ about the content of the bill.

His letter included memos from the Legislative Council, which he said show the bill will provide protections for innocent victims who own PFAS-contaminated property from fines while maintaining current law for those who cause pollution.

Wimberger said the threat of enforcement orders from DNR destroys property values, causing banks to refuse to refinance and call in their loans.”

Quote from www.wispolitics.com

2024 State of Converting

Image source: Nemanja Radovanovic / Creatas Video via Getty Images

“State by state across America — and elsewhere across the globe — EPR legislation will serve as a catalyst for implementing truly circular economies for product packaging. Most EPR legislation to date has specifically targeted single-use plastic packaging, with some rulemaking including guidelines for other packaging materials, such as paper, metal, and glass.

As noted by the ‘Guide to EPR Proposals’ published by GreenBlue, EPR is a legislative policy approach that assigns end-of-life responsibility to “producers” of CPGs. “This can include both financial responsibility and operational responsibility, though the amount and type may differ,” says GreenBlue. ‘Producers are required to provide funding and/or services that assist in managing covered products after the use phase.’ Most EPR legislation defines the ‘producer’ as the CPG manufacturer, or the owner of the trademarked brand offered to the public.

To date, four U.S. states — California, Oregon, Colorado, and Maine — have passed EPR legislation. During 2024, six additional states—Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island — will likely finalize and implement introduced EPR legislation.

In America, these state-led EPR programs for packaging often dictate or suggest that producers of packaging products join a nonprofit producer responsibility organization (PRO). ‘The PRO then develops a producer responsibility plan and manages the producer responsibility program,’ reports GreenBlue. “The financial structure may vary, but in most EPR programs producers pay fees to the PRO. The PRO then distributes the funds to cover the costs required by program legislation.”

The fees collected in a PRO generally provide funding for the end-of-life management of covered products, which can include collection, sorting, and processing CPG packaging materials. The first PRO to emerge in the wake of EPR legislation is the Circular Action Alliance, which is approved to implement EPR laws in California and Colorado.”

Quote from www.packagingstrategies.com

Fiber-Based Solutions: Sustana mill optimization for dry bale production

photo from Paper360

“Sustana is a leading producer of top-quality fiber-based products and services, committed to sustainability and continuous improvement. Operating across North America with nine recovery facilities, two fiber recycling facilities, and a paper manufacturing facility, Sustana is a trailblazer in incorporating clean, renewable materials into everyday products.

Sustana manufactures premium, FSC® certified sustainable recycled fiber ideal for a range of applications. From food-grade packaging to printing and commercial paper and board, plus towel and tissue paper, their products embody both performance and environmental stewardship. Within their facilities in De Pere, WI, and Levis, QC, Canada, Sustana processes up to 2.2 million pounds per day of recovered paper in the form of sorted office paper, paper cups, aseptic and gable top cartons, and even release liner. This translates to a significant reduction in landfill space—over one million cubic yards per year. (See sidebar to read more about Sustana’s sustainability commitment.)

The De Pere facility, established in 1992, has specialized in wet lap fiber production. While producing 450 tons per day of quality fiber, the mill’s growth potential remained restricted due to manufacturing and transportation challenges of a product that was roughly 50 percent water. The answer? A capital project with a unique equipment source, making the most of every opportunity. The addition of dryer equipment at this facility marks a pivotal move to propel production into a new era within the recycled fiber market.

Sustana’s wet lap pulp already has a unique market: sustainable, 100 percent recycled fiber that is compliant with FDA standards for use in direct food contact packaging without the need for a barrier of any type. However, shipping wet lap is not economical, and in wet form the pulp has a limited shelf life. This project allowed Sustana to produce dry baled pulp that can be stored indefinitely and shipped anywhere in the world.

Sustana acquired the fluff drying equipment from Chetwynd, British Columbia, in September 2022. The Chetwynd mill had undergone a two-week shutdown in 2015, during which the decision was made to close the facility. At the time of closure, the drying system and presses were undergoing reconstruction and were at various stages of repair. The equipment remained disassembled and idle until Sustana stepped in to acquire it. Now, it stands as a testament to resilience and adaptability, ready to drive the De Pere operations forward.”

Quote from www.paper360-digital.com

Scientists utilize AI in gene-editing technology to grow trees that could change the paper industry forever: 'Pushing the boundaries'

“A team of scientists has developed trees that could help improve paper production while decreasing environmental impact.

About a quarter of wood consists of something called lignin. While lignin serves an important role for trees, helping them grow taller and get more sunshine, the paper and fiber industries have to remove it because it lowers the quality of their products.

To help solve this problem, researchers at North Carolina State University investigated how to create trees with less lignin. They used a predictive machine learning model to identify genes in poplar trees that they could alter in order to create the ideal specimen.

They ultimately generated 174 engineered tree lines using a genetic engineering technique called CRISPR. These were grown inside a greenhouse for six months and showed improvements in desired properties compared to their wild counterparts — the most drastic cases saw a 29% decrease in lignin content and a 228% increase in cellulose-to-lignin ratio.

‘[This was] certainly pushing the boundaries in terms of what has been done,’ co-author Jack Wang, a forest biotechnologist also at NCSU, told The Scientist.

Though many of the edited trees grew slower, the scientists predict that CRISPR-edited wood will boost fiber production efficiency. Less lignin content also means less energetic and chemical output required to remove it, which translates to less planet-warming pollution.”

Quote from www.thecooldown.com

Ahlstrom strengthens its support to the tape industry by expanding the production of creped base paper in the USA

“Ahlstrom, the global leader in masking and packaging tape base papers, has finalized an investment to upgrade and convert a paper machine in its Thilmany plant in Wisconsin, USA, to produce stretchable creped base papers for masking tape and is now ramping up the production. The new investment adds a crepe paper production capacity of 30,000 tons per year.

‘This investment is a response to our customers’ increased volume demand and their need to move towards a more regional material supply. With the investment, we can better focus our assets in Asia and Europe to supply their nearby markets, and we will now enhance our capability to supply the markets in the Americas through this new investment,’ says Sohrab Kazemahvazi, Vice President for Ahlstrom’s Tape business.

The new crepe machine line in Wisconsin is unique because it enables the use of integrated pulp from the Thilmany pulp mill. This generates both sustainability advantages, including reduced emissions from lower energy consumption and less transportation, and cost benefits for customers. The line complements the existing production facilities for masking and packaging tape base papers in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Ahlstrom is a key player in offering sustainable solutions to the tape industry. Ahlstrom’s fiber-based masking tape backings are durable and long-lasting. The company also supports its customers in becoming more sustainable by offering repulpable and recyclable fiber-based packaging tape backing alternatives to the plastic-dominant packaging tape market.

Ahlstrom’s creped base papers are the selected backings for general to high-performance masking tape applications. They offer good handling properties and elongation of up to 18% and are customizable to customers' needs. The primary application of crepe paper is masking tape applications, but it can also be used in packaging tape, protective wrappings, and other specialty applications.”

Quote from www.ahlstrom.com

3D printing real wood with just cellulose and lignin

Graphic from study ‘three-dimensional printing of wood’

“Although the components of wood – cellulose and lignin – are exceedingly cheap and plentiful, combining these into a wood-like structure is not straightforward, despite many attempts to make these components somehow self-assemble. A recent attempt by [MD Shajedul Hoque Thakur] and colleagues as published in Science Advances now may have come closest to 3D printing literal wood using cellulose and lignin ink, using direct ink writing (DIW) as additive manufacturing method.

This water-based ink was created by mixing TOCN (tempo-oxidized cellulose nanofiber), a 10.6 wt % aqueous CNC (cellulose nanocrystals) and lignin in a 15:142:10 ratio, giving it roughly the viscosity of clay. The purpose of having both TOCNs and CNCs is to replicate the crystalline and amorphous cellulose elements of wood-based cellulose.

This ink was printed from a syringe head (SDS-60) installed in a Hyrel 3D Engine HR 3D printer. This printer is much like your average FDM printer, just targeting bioprinting and a wide range of heads to print and handle various attachments in a laboratory setting. The ink was extruded into specific shapes that were either freeze dried to get rid of the liquid component, or additionally also heated (at 180°C), with a third set of samples put into a hot press. These additional steps seem to promote the binding of the lignin and create a more durable result.”

Quote from hackaday.com

Two companies with local ties made a coreless toilet paper roll. Here's why.

“Just about everyone has been there: You sit down in the bathroom and look at the toilet paper roll, annoyed to find only a bare cardboard tube.

But it doesn't have to be that way, according to two paper industry companies with locations in northeast Wisconsin.

A handful of years ago, Paper Converting Machine Company and Essity introduced a toilet paper roll that does not have a cardboard core at its center. When the sheets run out, there is nothing left on the spindle.

While it won't magically make your family replace a finished roll, the coreless product has gained popularity in Europe in recent years, and people could start seeing it on store shelves in the U.S. in the near future, according to Stefano Spinelli, director of product lifecycle management at PCMC, a BW Converting business that's headquartered in Green Bay.

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin spoke with Spinelli late last year about the benefits of a coreless product, what makes it possible and how it's an evolution of previous products.”

Quote from Appleton Post-Crescent

3M introduces a world's first innovation to help redefine shipping and packaging

Photo from 3m.com

“Harnessing the power of best-in-class materials science, 3M is proud to introduce a world's first innovation to help redefine how the world packs, ships and sells goods across all industries. 3M is launching the first known padded, paper-based curbside recyclable mailer material that businesses can also use to automate their packaging process. This new material called 3M™ Padded Automatable Curbside Recyclable (PACR) Mailer Material is capable of producing packages up to three times faster than manual packing when paired with qualified automated packaging machines.

‘3M Science continues to advance and create products that are sustainable and meet stringent performance requirements,’ said John Banovetz, 3M's chief technology officer. ‘3M is well positioned to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges, and this includes creating more sustainable and better performing materials to help reduce the impact on our planet.’

This new mailer is made with a single layer of kraft paper that is lightweight, durable and resists moisture penetration. The proprietary padding technology helps to effectively protect against drops, bursts, vibration, and other potential risks incurred during shipping.

It is specially designed to be used with qualified automated packaging machines and is heat sealable with potential dwell times under one second to help facilitate fast and efficient operations. The material is not industry specific and is compatible with a range of printing technologies. It also comes in a wide array of sizes to meet the packaging requirements for all kinds of goods.

For decades, 3M has been an established leader in helping businesses pack and ship reliably. In 2022, the company launched Scotch™ Cushion Lock™ Protective Wrap which is a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap.”

Quote from www.prnewswire.com

Billerud paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids to be sold to Capital Recovery Group

Photo from billerud.com

The Billerud-owned paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. will be sold, the Swedish company announced Thursday.

In a press release, Billerud said it reached terms with Capital Recovery Group, LLC for the sale of the idled mill and related assets. Billerud will continue to own and operate the Wisconsin Rapids converting facility.

Billerud said the mill’s sale followed an “extensive and exhaustive exploration of viable and sustainable alternatives for the mill,” which was idled in July of 2020.

The sale is expected to close next month.

“Billerud believes that this decision is the best alternative for all stakeholders,” said Billerud’s Deputy President and Senior Vice President of Operations for North America Tor Lundqvist. “The sale of the idled Wisconsin Rapids Mill and related assets represents a strategic decision to focus on core business objectives, optimize resources, and align with our long-term strategy to drive sustainable growth. We look forward to finalizing the transaction in the near future and continuing to invest in the converting operation at the site.”

The converting facility will continue to be used to convert rolls of paper made at the Escanaba and Quinnesec mills into folios and digital sheets, as well as sheeting cartonboard imported from Billerud’s European mills.

“We extend our gratitude to the Wisconsin Rapids team and community for their dedication and support of the mill, our company and our customers throughout the strategic exploration process. We are proud of the significant role the mill hasplayed in the paper and pulp industry’s history and our longtime record of community involvement and partnership, said Kevin Kuznicki, Billerud’s president and general counsel for North America.

Quote from www.dailypress.net

Local chamber names Nekoosa Mill Large Business of the Year

photo from newsroom.domtar.com

The Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce recently named our Nekoosa Mill as its 2023 Large Business of the Year. The Nekoosa Mill award is a highlight in the mill’s history.

Mill Manager Jason McCauley accepted the Nekoosa Mill award on behalf of the mill’s 410 employees at the group’s annual meeting and awards dinner. The mill was recognized for its economic impact on the community, business growth, adaptation to marketplace change and dedication to customer service, community investment and leadership.

“Domtar epitomizes the essence of excellence, blending exceptional customer service, community dedication and visionary leadership,” says Staci Kivi, Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. “Their commitment to innovation and growth, coupled with their unwavering support for local organizations, sets a remarkable standard for businesses in our region. Domtar truly embodies the heart and soul of our community, and we are proud to honor them for their outstanding contributions.”

2023 was a busy and exciting year for the Nekoosa Mill, with capital investment projects, infrastructure work and community giving.

The mill hired 90 new employees and added 29 new positions.

The mill and its employees donated more than $55,000 to the United Way and more than $77,000 to local organizations and charities through the mill’s local community investment program.

On top of that, Nekoosa Mill’s EarthChoice Ambassadors held 21 events, with employees donating more than 800 volunteer hours to participate in events that support improving and promoting literacy, education and sustainability.

“At Domtar, one of our main core values is to be a caring company in the communities where we operate, which means running our business in an environmentally sound manner, being a safety leader in our industry, working closely with local officials and giving back to the community,” says McCauley. “To be recognized as Large Business of the Year by the Central Wisconsin community is a great honor for all Domtar team members.”

Quote from newsroom.domtar.com

Stevens Point researchers study new ways to use northern hardwood after 2020 mill closure

When the Wisconsin Rapids mill closed in 2020, it left a void in Wisconsin's forest products industry. Loggers struggled after suddenly losing such a major consumer of the region's pulpwood.

Now, local researchers are studying different ways that mills could potentially use hardwood timber from northern Wisconsin, according to Paul Fowler, executive director of the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

"We've got a substantial resource right on our doorstep," Fowler said, that's being "underutilized."

The work is made possible by a $100,000 grant that the Stevens Point university received last year through the federal Wood Innovations Grant Program. Fowler's institute also matched $100,000 in state funds, he said.

Details were finalized earlier this year, and researchers are ready to get started, according to Fowler, who's working on the project with Roland Gong, associate professor of paper science and chemical engineering, and students.

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin spoke with Fowler earlier this month about the research and what it could mean for local industries.

Quote from Appleton Post-Crescent