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Sonoco COO to Retire After 40 Years at Company

‘Life Cycle Carbon Analysis of Packaging Containing Nonwood Residues’ Wins TJ Best Research Paper

The Corrugated Packaging Division Council features industry-leading professionals from International Paper, Smurfit Westrock, Pratt Industries, and other major manufacturers driving technical innovation and operational excellence. Mid-career professionals can leverage networking opportunities with division leadership, including Chairman John Semenske and Vice-Chair Greg Arvanigian, while accessing advanced technical insights through committees like FISCOTEC and CORBOTEC. Key upcoming events include 2025 TAPPI CorrExpo in Savannah and 2028 SuperCorrExpo in Orlando, providing platforms for professional development, benchmarking best practices, and establishing connections that advance leadership careers in corrugated packaging operations.

Abstract of the 2024 TJ Best Research Paper:

This comprehensive life cycle carbon analysis reveals critical insights for operations managers evaluating nonwood fiber alternatives in corrugated packaging. The study compares wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse-based linerboard and corrugating medium against traditional wood-based materials, finding that nonwood alternatives can actually produce higher carbon footprints due to energy-intensive chemi-mechanical pulping processes and reduced recyclability. The research provides essential data for plant managers to make evidence-based decisions about sustainable fiber sourcing while meeting corporate carbon reduction targets and demonstrating measurable ROI to leadership teams.

Using P&ID to Establish Location and Asset Hierarchies

Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) serve as critical blueprints for plant operations, maintenance planning, and asset management systems. This technical guide explores how operations managers can leverage P&ID documentation to establish effective location hierarchies and asset management structures within EAM/CMMS systems. Key decisions include determining appropriate location granularity for cost accounting, defining parent-child asset relationships, and optimizing maintenance workflows. Understanding P&ID interpretation helps plant managers make strategic choices about asset tracking depth, spare parts management, and operational efficiency that directly impact ROI and team productivity.

The Future of Boxes… and Beyond

This thought-provoking editorial explores paper's remarkable 2,000-year evolution from Cai Lun's ancient cellulose-fiber innovation to today's dynamic packaging industry. TAPPI industry veteran Jan Bottiglieri examines how corrugated packaging has grown from Albert Jones' 1871 bottle-wrapper patent to over 90 million tons of annual US production. Drawing insights from Mark Kurlansky's Paper: Paging Through History, the piece challenges seasoned professionals to consider future packaging demands, emphasizing that technology follows societal change rather than driving it. Perfect for experienced executives seeking strategic perspective on paper industry transformation and packaging innovation trends.

ASPI Welcomes S&B as Newest Member

ASPI welcomes S&B as its newest member, bringing decades of pulp and paper engineering expertise through the legacy Ford, Bacon & Davis team. S&B delivers comprehensive project solutions across all production stages, from woodyard operations to finishing systems, with proven experience in efficiency audits, sustainability implementations, and cost optimization strategies. Their technical capabilities include steam system evaluations, waste-to-energy conversion, advanced control technologies, and drive system upgrades executed during outage windows and live production conditions. With strategically located offices across the US and Gulf Coast, S&B provides engineering-driven solutions that help plant managers modernize assets, optimize operations, and improve facility reliability while supporting long-term sustainability goals and operational excellence initiatives.

Right-Sizing Your Maintenance Organization

Maintenance professionals struggling with workforce optimization can achieve right-sizing through data-driven analysis rather than arbitrary headcount cuts. IDCON's proven methodology examines total maintenance hours, including overtime and contractor costs, to determine optimal staffing levels while implementing process improvements. The approach includes managing small maintenance jobs under two hours and $200 through streamlined supervision rather than formal planning processes. This strategic framework helps operations managers demonstrate ROI to leadership by reducing reactive maintenance cycles, improving equipment reliability, and optimizing resource allocation across maintenance teams for sustainable long-term performance.

My TAPPI Story - Rory Wolf

Members for Working Groups of TIPs Needed

Members for Working Groups of Useful Methods needed