The Honor Roll, official newsletter for the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, this past week highlighted statements given by Expera Specialty Solutions LLC, Kaukauna, Wis., USA, CEO Russ Wanke. 

"A large percentage of the paper industry is doing very well," was the message delivered at Wanke’s keynote speech for the 20th Annual Paper Industry International Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. "Innovation is happening across all sectors of paper, and most of these new areas are experiencing growth, he noted. Reminding the audience that "paper is not just paper," Wanke elaborated by saying most people think of classic printing and writing paper when they think of paper, but paper," he said, "is so much more."

This is especially true in Wisconsin where Expera and several other leading U.S. paper producers are currently headquartered.

Now more than three-fourths, or 76%, of paper products produced in the state are packaging, tissue, or specialty papers. All of these sectors within the industry are currently experiencing some rate of growth. Within the P&W paper sector, half is now highly specialized and is experiencing growth. According to Wanke, the paper industry in Wisconsin is now on solid ground and is, in his opinion, thriving.

Expera is a leading North American manufacturer of specialty paper products for use in the pressure-sensitive release liner, industrial, and food packaging segments. The group employs approximately 2,000 people across four manufacturing facilities in the state: Rhinelander, Mosinee, Kaukauna, and their De Pere site.