The Final Word by Helen Roush

Helen Roush, Executive Vice President of Paperitalo Publications

The Final Word by Helen Roush

Recently, Sappi announced that it is teaming up with Rochester Institute of Technology to advance digital innovation. The goal is to improve innovation processes.

In the press release, it states that the "Sappi funding will also provide support for a computing and information sciences Ph.D. student conducting research in the areas of data science and human-computer interaction (HCI).

The partnership aims to develop meaningful change for the industry, where the approach and thinking toward future solutions can be tackled with a fresh perspective. Sappi, in collaboration with RIT, will research topics in the areas of data science, artificial intelligence, and HCI to experiment with, gain insight into, and develop solutions that deliver business value."

In a recent article from Packaging News, it states that DS Smith will invest in a laboratory to develop sustainable packaging.

The article states that "the company has invested £750,000 on the state-of-the-art laboratory to work with customers in optimising the circularity of their packaging. The laboratory will be used for researching technologies that enhance the performance and sustainability qualities of fibre-based packaging, including coatings and barrier technology, wet-end chemistries, surface chemistries, repulpability, and recyclability.

The new laboratory also advances DS Smith's research in alternative fibres as sustainable raw material for paper and packaging products. Last year, the company announced it is exploring the use of seaweed as an alternative fibre source to wood, as well as a barrier coating to replace petroleum-based coatings."

In an article from Think Geoenergy, it was announced that "An exploratory well will be drilled at Hohenlimburg in Germany to determine the productivity of a geothermal resource for the paper drying process at the Kabel paper mill site."

The article goes on to state that "this project seeks to explore the potential of using geothermal heat for the paper drying process at the Kabel paper mill site. The Geothermal Paper Drying research project is being done by a partnership between Kabel Premium Pulp & Paper GmbH, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, and Fraunhofer IEG."

These are just some of the most recent research and development announcements in the pulp and paper industry. We will keep you apprised of further developments.

Helen Roush is Executive Vice President of Paperitalo Publications.