These days, as companies struggle to protect their solvency and practice good stewardship for what the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection calls 'material source reduction', recycled paper is a big commodity, and pulp and paper processing equipment solutions help companies get there. Having pulp and paper machinery on site can be a giant saver and a way to get a big edge in a market using proprietary resources.

Busy managers, business owners and other decision makers can get help online with key term and concepts to figure out what kind of pulp and paper equipment is right for their shops or floor areas. Readers may want to find:

1. Information on pre-process pulp and paper processing equipment like balers and paper shredders for getting used paper into malleable form.

2. Information in key terms and concepts for the converting process where pulp is mixed and melded into materials for new paper supplies creation.

3. More on specialized pulp paper equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find info on terms and concepts for used pulp and paper processing equipment

For learning about the post-use side, take a look at online resources featuring the aspects of pulp and paper processing equipment that deals with the packaging of paper products for re-use.

I recommend: Find out about the difference between a vertical downstroke or horizontal baler and other aspects including air compression at GlobalSpec. For info on cross-cut versus straight cuts or ribbon shredding, check out The Office Guide.

Find info about converting paper and pulp and paper processing equipment

Converting is a huge part of the paper and pulp processing industry. Converting covers the idea of making products out of materials, and that is essentially the backbone of the process. Find online pages offering insight and conceptual advice about this whole process.

I recommend: Get inside trade info and industry news at Converting Magazine. Find a lot more terms and concepts on paper processing machines, methodologies, and more at Wisconsin Converting Industry online.

Get more about specialized pulp and paper processing equipment

Other online sites give you helpful windows into how certain kinds of pulp and paper processing equipment do specific tasks within the general process. These kinds of resources can be helpful even if you already have a processing system on site.

I recommend: Find out how infrared cameras contribute to predictive maintenance and other aspects of pulp and paper processing at FLIR Systems. Get information about viscosity, sludge and mixing processes at Pulsair for determining best practices for getting the used materials into shape.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking at resources for pulp and paper processing equipment, look for comprehensive solutions. Find goals for every step of your process, and identify key machinery for processing paper, as well as the tools and strategies that will help you get there.

Paper processing equipment must provide dependable performance, economical efficiency and increased capacity and be built to last with minimal repairs. That may seem like a tall order but as one who works in the paper and pulp processing industry, you know those characteristics are not just ideal but necessary.

Pulp and paper machinery can be purchased in a variety of ways including from a wholesaler distributor or those in the business of buying and selling used equipment.

Before searching for paper processing equipment, first consider these questions:

1. How much are you willing to invest in pulp and paper equipment? Are you willing to buy the equipment new or will you be looking for used options?

2. Which pulp and paper equipment features are most important to your business?

3. Are you looking for a complete system, one machine for paper processing or just parts?

4. Do you need a paper processing supplier that also gives technical or maintenance support?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Keep up on new technology in machinery for paper processing

Technology is allowing for new, more-efficient methods to process pulp and paper. Research on industry impact on the environment and new processes revolve constantly.

I recommend: Subscribe to an industry magazine or a pulp and paper news service. Get a free four-week trial from RISI.

Search for specialized services and products for the processing of paper

Many suppliers of pulp and paper processing equipment offer an online catalog so you can search for specific products and services. Most sites break down the different processes from pulp making and pulp processing to paper and paperboard production, among others. The search can make it easier to find the right component you're looking for.

I recommend: Andritz.com breaks down each process and the equipment that is available to accomplish each. If you’re not sure about a particular product, watch a video of it being used at Marsden Inc. Search inventory of available products at TNE Inc. or MetsoPaper’s product vault. To find others who supply a particular product, check out this worldwide equipment supplier list at Van Tek Inc.

Shop around for used paper machinery

Used equipment rewards buyers with a better price but it comes with no guarantee of how long it will last. You might be back at square one if you choose pulp and paper machinery that only lasts a few weeks.

I recommend: BE Equipment offers consumers a catalog of new products as well as used equipment to purchase. Just like BE, Kitmondo buys and sells paper machinery. Better yet, CapeMachinery will let you make an offer on used equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When buying a used machine for paper processing, you may want to check that the system meets current environmental standards.

Processing of paper is a routine procedure at most pulp and paper production plants, but don't overlook training updates for your equipment operators. While the equipment makes advancements, so does the processing of pulp into paper. Make sure your entire plant is well educated by providing them with the latest in equipment training information.

From pulp and paper machinery courses to on-site training seminars including basic or advanced equipment training, there are many educational choices to choose from. If you already have a well-established production base, you may only need to spend some time reviewing equipment operations through materials you collect. In contrast, new operators may benefit from an introductory seminar or even college-level course on paper processing. Start by:

1. Considering an equipment operator course that teaches the ins and outs of machinery for paper processing.

2. Joining a network of other processors to gain access to valuable resources.

3. Getting information from paper processing equipment manufacturers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find pulp and paper processing equipment education and training

A knowledgeable paper processing equipment operator can mean the difference between a great quality product and a load of equipment issues that cost the company loads of money. Educating your operators in the proper equipment processes is important in keeping your plant running smoothly. Provide training for pre-hires, or offer additional training and courses for operators as a refresher in proper equipment operations.

I recommend: The Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering is a faction of Auburn University's college of engineering that offers undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs for the paper processing industry. Penn Foster Workforce Development offers an employee education course on pulp and paper processing equipment. Provide your potential employees with a sound pulp and paper processing education through Gatlin Education Services. The web-based course is designed for potential operators with little prior training.

Join a paper processing association for pulp and paper processing equipment resources

Networking with peers is an ideal way to gain information and resources links. Join a group of paper processing industry leaders, and take advantage of all the resources they have available from training seminars to pamphlets and instructional videos.

I recommend: The Market Pulp Association is an industry group of North American pulp producers. They offer resources about pulp equipment, production and information about the changing industry. Find educational resources at the American Forest and Paper Association or the American Wood Council. Both have large scale memberships of paper and pulp industry leaders.

Find pulp paper equipment training materials to use online

Whether you want to spend the time training your employees, or you want to outsource your training to a professional organization, several resources are available online. Look for resources that deal specifically with the type of processing equipment with which your employees come in contact.

I recommend: Use the Business Industrial Network as a training resource. They offer seminars, on-site training and a database of pulp equipment solutions. The interactive library at the Forest Products Society website can also be a useful tool in finding additional pulp and paper equipment training materials.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The operator of a machine for paper processing must have some type of training before starting the job. Because of the complexity of equipment, on-the-job training is not recommended as the sole training. Contact one of several pulp and paper college or technical college programs to find good first-time operator candidates.