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SOFIDEL: The Making of a Tissue Industry Giant

Sofidel CEO Luigi Lazzareschi discusses the company's strategic expansion in global tissue manufacturing, highlighting significant growth in North American operations through recent acquisitions and capacity increases. The interview covers operational integration challenges, sustainability initiatives across multiple markets, and advanced manufacturing technologies including AI-driven quality control systems. For industry veterans, this comprehensive analysis demonstrates how traditional tissue manufacturing continues evolving through digital transformation, energy transition strategies, and market consolidation. Lazzareschi's insights into navigating regulatory uncertainties, maintaining product innovation standards, and scaling operations provide valuable perspectives for senior professionals tracking industry leadership and technological advancement in the global tissue sector.

Want to be Successful? Implement Systems and Seize Opportunities

How do you move from being a reactive to a proactive organization in maintenance and reliability?

What Does China’s Capacity Surge Mean for Global Competitiveness?

"China’s build-out is reshaping competitive dynamics across nearly every major pulp and paper grade. As Chinese output grows... exporters in North America and Europe are increasingly challenged in markets they once dominated." —RESOURCEWISE

From beaker to reel: How papercraft presses meaning into every sheet

Genevieve Dowson, senior technical specialist at James Cropper Paper, received a Highly Commended certificate in the Operational Excellence category in the 2026 Future Trailblazer Awards. The award was announced at Packaging Innovations & Empack this past February in Birmingham, UK. To celebrate her award, Dowson penned the following, which James Cropper shared as press information. It is re-shared her for Ahead of the Curve readers interested in the perspectives of a rising young leader.

'We Came Back with Action Items': The TAPPICon Experience for Liberty Paper

Liberty Paper's facility in Becker, MN, sent 24 mill folks to TAPPICon 2025. One year later, we catch up to ask: was it worth it? This article is an excerpt from an interviewing appearing in the upcoming March/April issue of Paper360°, and is being shared here as a special "sneak peek" for Ahead of the Curve readers.

The Age of Acceleration: Navigating Digital Transformation and the AI Revolution

Tissue industry leaders are navigating digital transformation challenges as AI and emerging technologies reshape manufacturing operations. Jarmo Ropponen from Tietoevry reveals that AI investments can deliver $3.50 returns per dollar spent, with ROI realized within 14 months. Organizations face three critical barriers: lack of AI vision, expertise gaps, and scaling challenges. Success requires strategic implementation focusing on data quality, Manufacturing Execution Systems like TIPS MES, and partnering with technology providers. Five key steps accelerate digital transformation: defining clear objectives, adopting agile mindsets, investing in workforce culture, leveraging AI analytics, and collaborating with industry experts to maximize operational efficiency and competitive advantage.

Navigating the Future of the Pulp, Paper, and Packaging Industry

Paper and packaging industry at a crossroads.

Private vs. Public: How US Tissue Capacity Is Shifting

Private companies have steadily grown their share of the market, eventually rivaling and even surpassing their public counterparts.

Kimberly-Clark Announces First Quarter 2024 Results and Raises 2024 Outlook

Extending the Cycle Life of an Industrial Battery: What Makes a Battery Last?

A battery management system (BMS) plays a pivotal role in supporting the long cycle life of a lithium battery.