Q: How long has Nalco been actively involved with TAPPI? Can you please provide an overview of Nalco’s involvement and describe some of the activities that Nalco has participated in and/or supported through the years?

A: Nalco has been an active TAPPI member for almost 60 years. Through this partnership, we have supported and chaired technical events, authored technical articles, led committees, and showcased our innovations that focus on industry trends, best practices and sustainable solutions to advance pulp and paper making operations.

Q: Would you provide a few thoughts on what you believe have been the most significant contributions/breakthroughs in water, hygiene and energy technologies, as well as in the overall industry?

A: From an industry perspective, safety has always been a core focus - so I would say there have been great strides in creating a “safety first” culture.

There has also been great progress in developing sustainability-focused business practices to better protect our environment. This is evident in the closure of mill water systems in order to reduce, reuse and recycle water, the world’s most precious commodity.

For more than 90 successful years, Nalco has a strong track record of bringing innovations to the global pulp and paper industry. Our focus on innovation consistently brings new technology to the industry, securing dozens of new patents each year. We gain considerable insight from our customers alongside trends in the industry. We then align our innovation with their challenges to bring market solutions that are timely and relevant.

By focusing on a “river to reel to river” platform of fiber and water management, we are able to capture and analyze data across the papermaking process and observe how individual processes interact and impact each other. Ultimately, this visibility helps our customers reduce system variability, improve resource utilization and yield throughout each step.

The advancement of Nalco’s 3D TRASAR™ technology and development of our wet-end monitor and PARETO™ technologies have saved over 400 trillion gallons of fresh water and over 6 trillion BTUs of energy - helping customers advance their operations through improved efficiencies.

Q: Why did Nalco leadership decide to support TAPPI’s Centennial Celebration as a Platinum Sponsor? Why would you recommend other companies become involved in the Centennial Celebration as sponsors?

A: The decision to provide this level of sponsorship was an easy one. We have had a very long history of working hand-in-hand with the pulp and paper industry and we value that relationship as a core part of our overall enterprise. The TAPPI partnership is an example of collaboration across the industry, where business, operations and research experts work together to advance the future of the pulp and paper industry.

Q: What do you envision the future holds for the industry? For Nalco? For TAPPI?

A: We believe in the longevity of the pulp and paper industry, and while some segments are challenged, there will always be a robust business opportunity in this space. Nalco is fully committed to the industry and to delivering economic and environmental value through reliable, cost effective and safe solutions. The Nalco and Ecolab business model aligns well with what the industry has told us it needs: innovation to manage resources of fiber, water, and energy along with on-site service by subject-matter experts in the areas of water, pulp and papermaking. Organizations such as TAPPI bring together all the components that serve the industry by providing a forum for exchanges between producers and suppliers, and creating a knowledge base from which all groups can draw.

Q: Please provide a closing sentiment on what TAPPI membership has meant to you both personally and professionally, including relationships developed through attendance at conferences, courses and classes, and/or participation and volunteer activities on Divisions and Committees.

A: TAPPI membership affords the opportunity to network with customers and other suppliers. This collaboration essentially enables us to do more with less, address challenges and advance papermaking for today and the future.