Guide to Pulp and Paper Products News and Trends

Stay fashionable in the publishing world by staying current in pulp and paper products

By Tai G.

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

Join pulp and paper associations and stay up-to-date with paper product information

Associations are always a great resource for current industry news. They often feature a current news section and articles. Additionally, they usually offer an events calendar so you can attend conferences and trade shows that promote the latest and greatest in pulp and paper.

I recommend: The American Forest & Paper Association offers a news section that features press releases and statistical news to industry professionals. TAPPI also offers industry news, in addition to other industry information and calendar events.

Subscribe to industry publications and find out what's in and what's out in pulp and paper

Subscribing to publications is always a great way to stay current. Many publications offer a free trial so you can determine whether it's what you are looking for. Also, many also feature a free industry newsletter that comes with the subscription.

I recommend: Pulp & Paper provides an electronic and print version of its magazine. PaperAge offers a free subscription for those who qualify.

Ask your paper merchant to keep you informed of the latest and greatest special paper products

Whether is packaging board or copy paper, take advantage of paper manufacturers and suppliers. They are always willing to send sample books, so make sure they know exactly what types of paper you work with so you don't get overwhelmed.

I recommend: Weyerhaeuser is a paper manufacturer that offers up-to-date industry news from mechanical pulping to what's trendy in stock. Paper on Web is an online resource that offers a generous listing of paper manufacturers, each with its own selection of paper products.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask your paper merchants to replenish and update your paper and pulp sample books so you don't show your clients stock that may be outdated or discontinued.

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

Learn all you can about the pulp and paper industry

The paper products you buy play a huge role in your bottom line. By learning all you can about the industry and keeping up with what's new, you can not only monitor your costs, you can even be among the first to integrate new technologies to take your product to a new level.

I recommend: Stay on top of developments in the pulp and paper industry. There are several associations set up to keep you abreast of the latest news and information. You can check out the Pulp and Paper Products Council, American Forest and Paper Association or log on to the Pulp and Paper Network to get the latest news.

Go green with special paper products

Thanks to modern technology, you have many more options when buying paper products. By choosing green materials, you can not only decrease your environmental footprint but can also draw in a new range of customers. So consider products made of cotton, bamboo and other earth-friendly materials.

I recommend: Go green with a special paper manufacturer. You can choose a company like Cheney Pulp, which creates paper products out of cotton and used textiles, or go with one like Minas Basin, which focuses on 100% recycled paperboard products.

Get the right pulp and paper products at the right price

After you consider all the industry trends, you have to stop and look at your bottom line before making a decision. The best way to do that is to get as many quotes as possible to compare prices and services. Keep in mind that location and customer service should also be major factors when you're picking a paper manufacturer.

I recommend: Get quotes from big and small companies to compare their prices. You can go with the big conglomerates like Kimberly-Clark, Georgia-Pacific or Proctor & Gamble, or try out some smaller paper-specialty companies like Wausau Papers or Weyerhauser.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to color and thickness, pay attention to the sizing applied to your various paper products. Sizing is the coating that allows ink and toner to adhere to the paper

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

Improve basic paper making knowledge by reviewing industry articles

Not everyone is considering a lifetime career in the paper pulp industry. A little education on the processes involved in paper and pulp making, the equipment and space involved as well as the size and growth potential of the industry can provide the small business owner or potential investor the foundational knowledge necessary to make a decision on expansion or investment. Whether it's packaging board or basic paper making, the Internet abounds with articles and educational information on the industry.

I recommend: EonEcon Foundation provides a simple introductory article into the paper industry that includes information on mechanical pulping as well as chemical pulping. PaperOnWeb provides a host of articles on the paper making industry from very detailed to very simple. The articles are more educational and informative than training orientated.

Watch videos about the pulp and paper industry if you are a visual learner

For the visual learner, videos, documentaries and tutorials on the paper making industry help solidify concepts and processes explained in articles or course lectures.

I recommend: YouTube hosts the West Linn Paper Mill video explaining the process of making paper. PaperMaking101 highlights and labels the different parts of the paper mill machinery. The Paper Mill Store offers several videos on the process involved in paper making.

Take workshops and college courses on paper making to get necessary training for paper careers

In recent years, with the emphasis on recycling and the engineering of the natural environment, college courses dealing with the paper industry and the process of cultivating wood pulp have grown in both frequency and status. Those considering a career in the paper pulp products industry require some formal education, certification or education credits to advance in their chosen field.

I recommend: The North Carolina State University offers a five day workshop on paper and pulp production that includes detailed descriptions of the process as well as the chance to work with many paper machines. Registration is online. The Pulp and Paper Education and Research Alliance (PPERA) includes ten universities that offer education and training in the pulp and paper industry. Their website has links to each university where you can find more information about their courses in paper and pulp. Georgia Institute of Technology offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in paper sciences through their Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST).

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider a trip to the local paper mill or paper recycling plant to give the videos, articles and coursework a complementary hands on visual.

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

Mechanical pulping

Mechanical pulping is the way that pulp and paper factories create the pulp that is used for making paper. It is done by a large machine that turns wood into pulp through grinding or refining.

I recommend: Learn more about mechanical pulping through Siemens.

Wood-free paper

While much paper is made from wood, many consumers are concerned about the effect this has on natural forests. Because of the demand for 'greener' papers, companies are starting to produce wood-free paper, or paper that is made from other substances, such as cotton or hemp.

I recommend: You can read about wood-free paper from the NSW Good Wood Guide.

Sustainability and responsible sourcing

Trees have a longer lifespan than many other types of products. A tree that's been cut will take several years to replace. Because of this, many paper and pulp companies are concerned about sustainability and responsible sourcing. Sustainability focuses on using practices that can be sustained for the long term. Responsible sourcing means that the company is aware of where the wood that they use comes from.

I recommend: Visit Weyerhaeuser to see how this company focuses on sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Consumer paper

Consumer paper is the type of paper that is most often sold. It's the type of paper you find in notebooks and in printers and copies. It's thinner than other types of paper, but is affordable.

I recommend: See some examples of consumer paper at Wausau Paper.

Chipboard vs. corrugated cardboard

Chipboard and corrugated cardboard are two types of paper products that are frequently used in packaging. Chipboard is a dense, sturdy paper product. Corrugated cardboard has a fluted center, which makes it stronger.

I recommend: Blick Art Materials shows an example of chipboard, while you can learn more about corrugated cardboard at Corrugated Packaging.

Paper grades

Paper grades refers to the strength and durability of different types of paper. These can range from tissue paper to egg carton paper.

I recommend: Learn about the different types of paper grades and styles from Old and Sold Antiques Digest.