Ahead of the Curve Archive

Paper’s Evolving Role in American Life

27 Jun 2026 The article below was recently published by the American Pulp & Paper Foundation as a resource on its website. It also includes information about America's first paper mill, available on the website of the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking. It is shared here for AOTC readers who want to celebrate the USA's semiquincentennial by honoring the role that our industry has played in American history.

From AI-Driven Shopping to Real-World Delivery: Mondi Research Shows Packaging Drives Customer Loyalty in a Digital World

18 Jun 2026 The following article was originally distributed as a press release from Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper. It is being shared here with Ahead of the Curve readers with an interest in sustainable packaging and paper.

Engage, Educate, and Empower During June Safety Month

11 Jun 2026 The National Safety Council's National Safety Month in June serves as an annual reminder that safety is not a task to complete, but a culture to cultivate. With OSHA reporting 391 manufacturing fatalities in 2023—in sectors that include pulp and paper—June Safety Month invites sites and contractors to reassess their processes, elevate training, and leverage tools that enhance year-round performance. It is also a time to evaluate gaps, reinforce best practices, and re-commit to the shared responsibility of ensuring every worker goes home safely.

The supply chain skills gap AI left behind

07 Jun 2026 This article was originally published on the news page of MIT's Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL) and is being shared here for industry professionals with an interest in managing supply chains and the effects of new technologies on the manufacturing workforce. More resources listed below.

5 Ways Paper Engineers Are Driving Innovation Right Now

03 Jun 2026 This article was originally published on the blog page of the Syracuse Pulp & Paper Foundation, and is being shared here for Ahead of the Curve readers with an interest in industry innovation, as well as in the programs training tomorrow's pulp, paper, packaging, and tissue industry professionals.

Global Development and M&A Investment in the Paper Industry

21 May 2026 This article will appear in the upcoming May/June issue of Paper360° magazine. It is being shared here as a special "sneak peek" for Ahead of the Curve readers.

Deep tech startup Reduciner introduces novel technology to turn captured carbon into sustainable fuels

14 May 2026 This article was originally published on the News page of VTT, a Finland-based research, development and innovation partner and one of the leading research organizations in Europe. It is being shared here for Ahead of the Curve readers interested in technology that can help manufacturers remain competitive and sustainable.

Bruce Janda on Tissue Industry Transformation

12 May 2026 Each issue of Tissue360° includes 'My Industry', a space where industry experts are welcomed to share their tissue industry opinions, knowledge, and experience. This column was originally published in the Spring/Summer 2026 issue and is shared here with AOTC readers with an interest in the success of the tissue industry.

The AI Challenge: Higher Education in the Age of AI

06 May 2026 This article originally appeared on the website of Elon University's Imagining the Digital Future Center. It is being shared here for Ahead of the Curve readers with an interest in the use of digital media vs. paper media in classrooms.

Meet the Makers: Q&A with a Sustainable Packaging Designer

23 Apr 2026 This article was originally published in The Circular Newsletter by Smurfit Westrock and on the company's Linked In page. It is being shared here for AOTC readers with an interest in innovative packaging design that supports the circular economy.