Ahead of the Curve Archive

Vision Quest, Pt.2: How to Get What You Really Need

11 Apr 2018 My previous column, Vision Quest: What You Get is Rarely What You Need, includes the following thoughts: "The core problem is relatively simple and probably obvious… Every organization puts these things together, but too often no one outside of the 'must-know' crowd can remember what the heck the words are, let alone what they mean. They are just another meaningless poster on the wall…

Prize funds research into cellulose-based aerogels

04 Apr 2018 As reported by RISE Bioeconomy (innventia.com), Fernando Alvarado, a researcher at RISE Bioeconomy, has been awarded this year's Skills Prize from the Gunnar Sundblad Research Foundation. The award of SEK 500,000 (about US$59,600) will be used to initiate a Swedish research platform for cellulose-based aerogel particles that can, among other things, replace traditional absorbents, thickeners and microplastics. The prize will be awarded by HMK Carl XVI Gustaf on April 17, 2018, during the Forestry Week in Stockholm.

Our Carbon Footprint: How do paper products fit in?

21 Mar 2018 A household carbon footprint refers to the overall amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by all the energy and materials consumed by those who live in a home as they go about their daily lives. It is a common measure of the contribution of a single household to climate change.

Euro CEO of the Year Miles Roberts: ‘Packaging has Never Been More Relevant’

14 Mar 2018 The following is an excerpt from an exclusive interview that will appear in the March/April issue of Paper360° magazine. It is offered here as a special “sneak peek” for AOTC readers.

TAPPI Reaccredited as ANSI Standards Developer

07 Mar 2018 TAPPI has again been reaccredited as an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards Developer. ANSI is the United States’ representative to the International Standards Organization (ISO). As an ANSI Standards Developer, TAPPI Standards can become American National Standards, which can, in turn, be elevated to ISO Standards.

Vision Quest: What You Get is Rarely What You Need

28 Feb 2018 Have you ever been a part of a visioning exercise? If the answer is yes, then raise your hand. I am sure a whole bunch of hands went up. If you have been part of an organization, work system, or department for longer than a year the real answer to this question is—everyone. Why is this done? What is the reason?

Tissue paper sensors show promise for health care, entertainment, robotics

21 Feb 2018 University of Washington engineers have turned tissue paper—similar to toilet tissue—into a new kind of wearable sensor that can detect a pulse, a blink of an eye and other human movement. The sensor is light, flexible, and inexpensive, with potential applications in health care, entertainment, and robotics.

Leadership in Reliability & Maintenance: The Operations and Maintenance Partnership

14 Feb 2018 Editor’s note: This article is from the inaugural edition of the new Reliability & Maintenance section of Paper360°, created in partnership with IDCON. TAPPI and IDCON will be expanding this partnership to also deliver a free newsletter, online communities, events, and this dedicated R&M website with valuable additional content.

Newest Directors on Addressing TAPPI’s Critical Needs

07 Feb 2018 n February 2018, TAPPI welcomes three new board members to its roster. Each year, a nominating committee nominates three incoming Directors to serve three-year terms. (see sidebar). We asked these three newest directors to provide insight into the critical needs of the association, and how they hope to address that need in their leadership position on TAPPI’s Board. Their answers below provide a look into a dynamic and growing association.

Innovation Breeds Disruption

31 Jan 2018 The annual PEERS Conference was held in Norfolk, VA, in early November. Opening keynote speaker Robert Tiede, executive vice president and COO of Sonoco, set the stage early for an excellent conference with a thought-provoking talk about disruption.