Richard Todd (Rick) Colvin, 54, of Milledgeville, Ga., passed away on Thursday of last week (January 21) at Trinity Hospital in Augusta, Ga., after a very brief and sudden illness. Visitation will be from 2 - 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, followed by a 4 p.m. prayer service at Williams Funeral Home and Crematory, Milledgeville, Ga.

Rick was a native of Dennison, Ohio, the son of Earl and Kathryn Colvin. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Muskingum College, he began his career as a bench chemist for Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals. Later he moved into field sales and product management for paper kaolin. Rick loved the kaolin industry and spent the rest of his 32-year career imbedded in this small, tightly knit, middle-Georgia industry. From Nord Kaolin, to Dry Branch Kaolin, Thiele Kaolin, and finally to his own consulting firm focused solely on the kaolin industry, he developed many strong customer relationships as well as close friendships that crossed company lines and touched Europe, South America, and the Far East. "Kaolin Rick" as he was affectionately known, believed that kaolin, not blood, ran through his veins.

Rick served on the Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA) Board of Directors, was the 2007 - 2008 affiliate chairman, and recipient of the Thomas F. Sheerin Service Award in 2004. He loved to hunt and fish, was an avid Ohio Sate Buckeye fan, and bloodhounds were his dog of choice. He and his wife Barbie developed their wooded property into the garden of her dreams, a legacy to his patience and tolerance of her gardening whims, his loving spirit, and devotion to her. He was generous with his time to all who knew him and quick to lend a hand to anyone in need. Many a book or tool had to be replaced because he had given his away to someone who showed an interest in it.

Rick is survived by his wife of 26 years, Barbie; sister Ann Colvin of Columbus, Ohio, and her long-term companion, Louis (Gene) Vassy.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the renovation of the grounds at Lockerly Arboretum (P.O. Box 310, Milledgeville, Ga. 31059) or the Healing and Hope Through Science children's outreach program, c/o Katie Vogel, Sarah P Duke Gardens, Campus Box 90341, 426 Anderson St., Durham, N.C., 27708.

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Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, Longview, Wash., USA, reported this week that it plans to build a $100 million power plant to convert waste wood into renewable energy. According to a report by Longview-based The Daily News Herald, the 65-mw, 650,000-pph steam fluidized bed biomass boiler will burn some 38,000 tpy of mill waste, including wood chips, sawdust, and hog fuel. The company plans to startup the plant by the end of 2011.

Randy Nebel, Longview Fibre president, noted that "this project will support our goals to use biomass-based energy, improve efficiencies, and solidify the long-term viability of the business." Peter Moulton, bioenergy coordinator for the Washington Department of Commerce, said in the news report that other mills, such as Port Townsend Paper Corp. (Port Townsend, Wash.), are starting similar projects.

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Total U.S. printing & writing paper shipments increased 6% in December 2009 compared with December 2008, according to the American Forest & Paper Association's (AF&PA) December 2009 Printing-Writing Paper Report. This is the second consecutive year-ago increase. For the year-to-date, shipments were down 15% (all four major printing-writing grades recorded the lowest year-to-date decline when compared with 2008 for the sixth consecutive month). U.S. purchases (shipments + imports - exports) of printing-writing papers also increased in December, up 3% versus year-ago December, yet were still down 17% for the year-to-date. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 41,000 tons from November, a decrease of 2%.

Additional key findings from the report include:

• Uncoated free sheet (UFS) shipments were up versus year-ago for the first time since April 2007
• Coated free sheet (CFS) shipments hit double-digit growth versus year-ago
• Year-ago shipments of coated mechanical (CM) reached double-digit growth for the second consecutive month
• Uncoated mechanical (UM) purchases were up double-digits compared with last December.

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U.S. South pine sawtimber prices are plummeting, which means that turbulent times could soon be over for timber sellers. A new stumpage price forecast published by Forisk, Athens, Ga., USA, signals climbing prices for pine sawtimber in the U.S. South beginning this year. Despite positive indications for the U.S. South as a region, results vary across the 11 states covered in Forisk's models. For example, between 2010 and 2011, Georgia pine sawtimber prices rebound 17% while prices in North Carolina increase less than 1% over the same time frame, according to the ForiskFORECAST.

"The key is understanding the local, state-specific relationship (the elasticity) between wood demand and prices," explains Dr. Tim Sydor, Forisk's forest economist. "Pine sawtimber demand declined 32.6% South-wide between 2006 and 2009. Yet these declines varied by state. In the next few years, as lumber demand recovers, our historic wood demand and price analysis suggests a strong stumpage price recovery in several Southern states, while others will take longer to respond."

Brooks Mendell, President of Forisk, notes that "timber markets are uniquely local. Our clients are less concerned about national prices, and directly focused on their local options. South Georgia differs from North Alabama, which differs from East Texas. Our basin studies, workshops, and the ForiskFORECAST focus on the idea that successful investments in forestry or wood-using facilities rely on detailed knowledge of localized markets."

The ForiskFORECAST-Pine Sawtimber predicts annual pine sawtimber stumpage prices across the U.S. South through 2020. It is available as an interactive Excel model or as individual forecasts for 11 states. More information is available on the Forisk website.

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Finnish timber sales, meanwhile, reached a record low in 2009, according to the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, Helsinki, Finland. Only in 1991 have purchase volumes from private forests been any lower, the Federation noted. Procurements from private forests totaled 16.4 million cubic meters, which is a little more than half of the volume attained in the previous year. The year's total purchases equaled about 21 million cubic meters of felled timber.

Stumpage prices of softwood logs fell an average of 20% in 2009, while birch log stumpage prices were down 27%, and pulpwood prices decreased by 16% - 20%. In December, pine and spruce logs fetched an average of EUR 48 per cubic meter. The price of birch logs was around EUR 35 per cubic meter. The average stumpage price of pine and birch pulpwood was EUR 14 per cubic meter, while spruce pulpwood cost EUR 18 per cubic meter.

The tax break available for timber sales revenue was halved from 50% to 25% at the turn of the year, resulting in a final dash by sellers wanting to avail of the full break. The December purchase volume reached 6.1 million cubic meters, i.e. over a third of the total annual amount. Sawmills suffered from short supply of logs during 2009.

The record-high timber prices, which occurred in 2007 during an entirely different overall economic situation, still affected price expectations. December's livelier sales activity led to a slight improvement in this situation, although annual purchase volumes of pine and spruce logs were down 29% from the level achieved in 2008, while pulpwood purchases reduced by about half. Roundwood imports from Russia fell by three-quarters in 2009, leading to an increase in demand for domestic timber.

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Alabama Pine Pulp, Claiborne, Ala., USA, has ordered through Metso a rebuild of its market pulp machine, as it converts to roll fluff pulp production. The value of the order was not disclosed. Metso's delivery will include both a wet end rebuild as well as the new finishing equipment needed for roll fluff pulp production. The scope of supply includes a new headbox, steambox, calender, and winder. The rebuild will be completed in stages beginning this spring, with final completion in early 2011.

Alabama Pine Pulp is part of the Alabama River Group (ARG), a subsidiary of Parsons & Whittemore Inc., Rye Brook, N.Y., a producer of softwood and hardwood market pulps. The Claiborne Mill complex employs 550 people and is recognized as one of the largest pulping operations in North America. The mill will begin roll fluff production in the second quarter of 2011. Back To Top

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Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), Indonesia, is reportedly interested in acquiring operations in the Nordic region, and is said to be looking at mill possibilities in Finland, particularly. The company earlier operated a sales office in Finland. APP, part of the Sinar Mas Group, today operates eight mills in Indonesia with 7 million metric tpy of capacity, most of it built through acquisitions. Its production portfolio includes printing and writing papers, market pulp, tissue and toweling, and packaging boards marketed in some 65 countries. Back To Top

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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, this past week announced that its Crofton No. 1 paper machine will be curtailed indefinitely due to weak newsprint and directory paper demand. The machine, which produces 140,000 metric tpy of commodity grades, was temporarily idled December 23 for the holiday period.

In a related move, the company's paper recycling facility in Coquitlam, which supplies the Crofton paper machines with deinked pulp, will be indefinitely shutdown in mid-February. Approximately 70 employees (36 at Crofton) will be laid off as a result of these curtailments.

"There was a steep decline in market demand for the products made at our Crofton paper mill in the past year and the consumption outlook for these commodity grades remains weak. Reduced recycled pulp requirements, combined with the higher cost and constrained availability of quality recovered paper are contributing factors in our decision to indefinitely close our paper recycling facility," said Richard Garneau, president and CEO.

Catalyst Paper produces specialty printing papers, newsprint, and pulp. With six mills located in British Columbia and Arizona, USA, Catalyst has a combined annual production capacity of 2.5 million metric tons.

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Helsinki, Finland-based Kemira and Metso announced this week that they have made a three-year research and development partnership agreement, by which Kemira will handle the chemical control of Metso's pilot paper machines. The aim is to combine Metso's expertise in paper and board machine processes, automation, and technology with Kemira's know-how in water and fiber chemistry.

"Ever closer collaboration is needed in the pulp and paper industry cluster. This relates to paper machine, equipment and manufacturing clothing, overall chemical solutions, and strong investment into research and development," said Kemira's EVP of R&D and Technology, Johan Grön. Metso and Kemira's global research and development network covers all of the main pulp and paper industry markets: Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.

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Kimberly-Clark, Dallas, Texas, USA, has announced a global employee donation matching program for relief efforts following the catastrophic Haiti earthquake. Through the Kimberly-Clark Employee Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, the company's worldwide employees can direct their contributions to the American Red Cross to support its Haitian relief efforts. Kimberly-Clark will then match all employee donations worldwide dollar-for-dollar up to $300,000. Other K-C disaster relief efforts for the people of Haiti have included partnering with the American Red Cross and MedShare and mobilizing product donations. Back To Top

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Metso, Finland, reports that it will donate EUR 20,000 to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti, through the Finnish Red Cross's Disaster Relief Fund. Metso also has encouraged its employees to help the disaster victims by donating to the Red Cross's Disaster Relief Fund. Back To Top

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A claim filed by Quebecor World (USA)'s litigation trustee for alleged preferential transfers of approximately $18.8 million to Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, is not expected to result in any significant liability to Catalyst, the paper company reported this past week. The claim seeks the return of payments made by Quebecor World to Catalyst in the ordinary course of their trade relationship in the 90 days prior to Quebecor World's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in December 2007.

Catalyst is one of 1,700 vendors of Quebecor World who received payments totaling $390 million during the preference period in which the litigation trustee has sought recovery. The claim is made pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code which allows recovery of certain transfer made by the bankrupt debtor within the 90 days prior to the bankruptcy filing, subject to a vendor's defenses.

Catalyst says that it intends to defend the claim and has been advised that it has a number of defenses available that are expected to eliminate or significantly reduce its financial exposure. Accordingly, Catalyst added, it does not expect to incur any significant liability in connection with the claim.

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Sappi, Johannesburg, South Africa, this week reported it will close its Usutu pulp mill in Bhunya, Swaziland, but has not been able to come to an agreement with the labor union regarding exit packages for mill employees. The Usutu mill has a production capacity of 190,000 metric tpy of unbleached, flash dried softwood kraft market pulp. It employs some 600 full-time people.

Sappi noted in several news reports that the mill had suffered operating losses for the past two years, and has made what it considers to be "a fair and reasonable offer "for the payment of exit packages, considering its current financial position. Reportedly, the labor union is trying to have the mill liquidated, which Sappi said is "not an ideal option" since it would affect other critical processes such as finding a suitable investor for Usutu Pulp Company's remaining operations.

Sappi added that it will close the pulp mill January 31, and mothball it during the next couple of months. All employees who received formal notice of the closure of the mill will be terminated on January 31, and all employees affected by the termination will receive exit packages on January 29. Sappi said it will allow employees to stay in the company villages until the end of May.

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SP Newsprint Co., Greenwich, Conn., USA, announced this past week that its Dublin, Ga., and Newberg, Ore., newsprint mills have achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Chain-of-Custody certifications. These certifications track FSC, PEFC, and SFI certified material through the chain of custody process, from the fiber sources to the consumer, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing, and distribution. The 100% recycled products from these mills, totaling 760,000 metric tons annually, can now carry a label confirming that they were made from certified post-consumer sources.

"Having FSC, PEFC, and SFI Chain-of-Custody certification at both of our Newsprint mills assures our customers of the company's commitment to show responsible stewardship of environmental resources," said Christopher Brant, president and COO. With this announcement, SP Newsprint - Dublin mill will now be the largest FSC, PEFC, and SFI certified 100% recycled newsprint mill in North America.

SP Newsprint is the fourth largest newsprint manufacturer in North America, with approximately 900,000 metric tpy of newsprint production capacity. In addition to the mills in Dublin and Newberg, the company operates 22 recycling facilities through its subsidiary, SP Recycling Corp.

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Carolina Container Co., High Point, N.C., USA, reports that its six container plants and digital printing facility have earned the SFI Certified Sourcing Label from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). To use the SFI-certified product label, two-thirds of a company's packaging raw material must come from suppliers with third party certified fiber sourcing systems or recycled paper sources. Carolina Container has operations in the Carolina's, Virginia, and Kentucky. In addition to corrugated products, the company provides large-format digital printing, packaging tooling, packaging supplies, contact packaging, and fulfillment. Back To Top

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AICC (the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters), Alexandria, Va., USA, has announced its 9th Operation Safe Shop Competition, the biennial recognition for outstanding performance in box plant safety. Entries are now being accepted for the Operation Safe Shop Award that will be presented at AICC's 2010 Spring Meeting, April 14 - 16, 2010, at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, Calif., USA. Deadline for entries is Friday, March 5. Awards will be presented in the Corrugator Plants, Sheet Feeders, and Sheet Plants categories. More information  and entry instructions are available on the AICC website. Back To Top

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FBA (the Fibre Box Association), Grove Village, Ill., USA, reports that its Environmental Committee has completed work on the Air Emissions Tracking Workbook, designed to help companies track air emissions for corrugators and box plants. The workbook, in Excel format, allows tracking for one facility at a time. Customizable and adaptable for each participating location, the workbook is separated into the following categories:

• Annual summary pages
• PM and VOC summary pages
• Detailed data entry pages for VOC and HAPs
• Starch data entry page
• Baler /cyclone data entry page
• Fuel consumption data entry pages.

The workbook can be viewed online.

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Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, Ill., USA, Board Sales group is launching a new program to help converters and ink companies improve color consistency. The company will provide complimentary rolls of all Smurfit-Stone roll stock to converters and ink companies to use when proofing color matches.

"These rolls will allow ink companies and converters to see exactly how a color looks on kraft or white linerboard before going to press," said Scott Gilbert, graphic products manager for Smurfit-Stone's Board Sales group. "Packaging customers are interested in print fidelity, snap and pop, as well as consistent and uniform color reproduction. This program will help converters and ink companies produce these graphic qualities."

Roll options include the base kraft and white top stock used in the current GPI Flexo Color Guide (formerly the GCMI Color Guide), as well as the balance of Smurfit-Stone's white liner offerings, including premium white top, solid bleached, and coated white top. Smurfit-Stone will provide 4-in. wide by 15-in. outer diameter rolls free of charge.

To order proofing rolls or for more information on this offer, send an email to paperwise@smurfit.com with the words "Color Proofing Stock Program" in the subject line.

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Walmart, Bentonville, Ark., has announced changes to its Packaging Scorecard. The updated scorecard will include country of origin, recovery by material and package (as opposed to the existing material only measure), and recycled content, customized by package to some industry standards. Currently, no data are collected for the country of origin. Specifics on data collection are still in discussion. Initial recommendations for new recovery data by material and package propose using pre-populated appropriate data by material, region, format, and selling unit or transport, which will replace the use of pre-populated EPA data. The Phase II proposal offers two options for collection of recycled content: pre-populated industry data or specific packaging component data. More information  on the Walmart scorecard is available online. Back To Top

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Texas Tech University (TTU) System, Lubbock, Texas, USA, has awarded its Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award to Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, an associate professor of nonwovens and advanced materials at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at TTU. The award is the highest given by TTU System to a faculty member who has excelled in research. TTU System awards a top researcher at each of its three component universities, TTU, TTUHSC, and Angelo State University with the award, which is highly competitive. Candidates are evaluated at several levels by committees before the final award is made.

The special award was announced by TTU System Chancellor Kent Hance in a news conference on December 11. TTU President Guy Bailey presented Dr. Ramkumar's accomplishments that enabled him to receive the award, which included a medallion and a cash award.

Dr. Ramkumar manages the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at TTU. His research focuses on nonwovens and technical textiles. The special focus of his laboratory is to find value-added applications to cotton and other natural fibers using emerging technologies such as nonwoven technologies, plasma, and nanotechnology. He has been playing a leadership role for the past five years in promoting the technical textiles sector in India.

In 1999, Dr. Ramkumar came to TTU, joining the Institute of Environmental and Human Health in 2002. His research has lead to the development of Fibertect, a patented nonwoven decontamination wipe. The product was found to outperform other products in tests conducted by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Dr. Ramkumar's nonwoven fabric work has received international publicity. He has received almost $4 million in external funding for his research. He also received the Technical Textiles Accomplishments Award, an international recognition for nonwovens research, Lubbock's Top Twenty Under 40 Award in 2007, the Scientist of the Year award from the Lubbock Chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists, and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce's Innovation in Technology Award. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Anna University in India and his doctorate from the University of Leeds, England. He originally designed and developed the INDO-US collaborative conference, Advances in Textiles, Machinery, Nonwovens and Technical Textiles-ATNT, which has been held every year in South India since 2004.

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Appleton Mfg Division, Neenah, Wis., USA, has introduced its S210 fixed-knife core cutter designed to produce clean, burnished cuts at precise lengths. The S210 allows companies to cut cores in-house and on demand, without incurring the costs of wasted production time or unnecessary floor space devoted to inventorying precut cores. It is ideal for the lower volume core user who cannot afford to be without a reliable and predictable supply of cut cores. Unit features include ease of use, precise cuts, clean cuts, energy saving auto- shutoff, simplified adjustment (instant diameter change), and installation and training. More information  is available on Appleton's web site. Back To Top

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Mohawk Fine Papers, Cohoes, N.Y., USA, has launched its new, online "Felt & Wire Shop," an online marketplace that carries exclusive products designed on paper, direct from top design studios and letterpress printers around the world. "If you have a favorite design studio such as Pie Bird Press, Michael Osborne Design, Cummings & Good, Grant Design Collaborative, Chen Design, MINE, or AdamsMorioka," Mohawk explains, "you can browse their products exclusively. Or, if you're just looking for that perfect invitation or special gift such as a limited-edition book, you can shop by category." A certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise, Mohawk is the first U.S. paper mill to match 100% of its electricity with wind power renewable energy credits and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production. The company also offers recycled papers certified by Green Seal and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Back To Top

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Suzano Pulp and Paper, Brazil, one of the largest integrated manufacturers of pulp and paper in Latin America, has launched a new stationery type of paper known as Report no Alvo da Moda, as part of the global "Fashion Targets Breast Cancer" campaign. The new product, which should arrive at stationery stores in March, invites customer to respond to a campaign to fight breast cancer, with income from the licensing being donated to the Brazilian Institute of Cancer Control (IBCC). Those who purchase the paper, sold in packages of 250 sheets, will receive tips on how to perform a self-exam and how to contribute to the campaign. More information  is available on the Suzano website. Back To Top

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Domtar, Montreal Qué., Canada, reportedly will increase the price for all grades of its market pulp worldwide by $30 per metric ton, effective February 1, until further notice. With eight pulp mills in Canada, Domtar produces a variety of northern hardwood market pulps and bleached kraft hardwood and softwood pulps. Back To Top

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Parsons & Whittemore (P&W), Rye Brook, N.Y., USA, has reportedly announced to its U.S. and European customers that it will raise prices on softwood and hardwood kraft market pulp, effective February 1. The company's southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK) and southern bleached hardwood kraft (SBHK) both will increase by $30 per metric ton to $830 per metric ton for SBSK and $760 per metric tons for SBHK. Back To Top

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SCA Containerboard, Stockholm, Sweden, will raise the price of its recycled containerboard grades in all European markets by EUR $60 per metric ton, effective February 1. The company attributes the increase to increasing raw material and other input costs, coupled with improving market conditions. Back To Top

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Mondi, U.K. and South Africa, also has announced a EUR 60 per metric ton increase for its recycled containerboard grades in all of its European markets, effective February 1. The increase is likewise linked to rising raw material/input costs and better market conditions. Back To Top

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Södra, Sweden, this past week announced a $30 per metric ton price increase for its hardwood pulp. The company's new price, which will be valid from February 1, is $760 per metric ton. The company notes that the price hike is supported by a pulp market that remains solid, with low stocks and good market balance. Back To Top

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RWE Innogy, the renewable energies company of the RWE Group, Germany, reports that it will build a factory to produce biomass pellets in Waycross, Ga., USA. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 750,000 metric tons, making it the biggest and most modern of its type in the world. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Sweden-based BMC Management AB, which specializes in the development of biomass manufacturing solutions. The pellets will be used in pure biomass power plants as well as for the co-firing of coal and biomass.

The pellet plant, currently scheduled to startup in 2011, will cost approximately EUR 120 million. Andritz Feed & Biofuel, Germany, will supply a debarking line, a chip handling system, as well as hammer and pellet mills, with a total order value of about EUR 40 million.

The biomass pellets will initially be burned in the existing power plants of Amer in the Netherlands, where currently already up to 30% of the hard coal has been replaced by solid biomass, mainly wood pellets. The large volume of biomass from Georgia will also help RWE achieve its goal of expanding this co-firing to up to 50%. The pellets will be shipped to Europe from the port of Savannah. A long-term transport contract has been concluded with one of the world's largest shipping companies in the dry goods sector, Dampskibselskabet NORDEN A/S, Denmark.

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Thomas Howatt, president and CEO of Wausau Paper Corp., Mosinee, Wis., USA, has been elected chairman of the 3,500-member business trade group Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). James Haney, WMC president, noted that "we are very fortunate to have such a strong board of directors to lead WMC as we advance policies aimed at making Wisconsin the most competitive state in the nation. In 2010, Wisconsin businesses need to rally to lead the drive to enact policies that will promote jobs for our families." WMC is actively promoting the Wisconsin Jobs 2010 agenda, which calls for reforms that will create jobs. The agenda calls for spending restraint, tax relief, regulation reform, and legal reforms. Back To Top

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Our industry has evolved for the past 1900 years and continues to do so to this day. TAPPI exists to serve our members and as our members develop, so does TAPPI. Within TAPPI we have many Divisions, Local Sections, Student Chapters and International Chapters. One of these dynamic divisions is NET (for Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists and formerly known as the Nonwovens Division).

One of the most active contributors to NET is Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi of North Carolina State University (NC State). In a recent visit to the university, I met with Dr. Pourdeyhimi and Genevieve Garland, Director of Marketing & Business Development for The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) at NC State. NWI was launched in 2007 as the world's first accredited academic program for the interdisciplinary study of engineered fabrics.

Based at the NC State's Centennial Campus in Raleigh, NWI is an innovative global partnership between industry, government and academia. NWI traces its history to 1991, when the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center (NCRC) was established as a State-Industry-University Cooperative Research Center with matching grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the State of North Carolina, and several industry partners. In 1998, upon conclusion of NSF grant funding, NCRC continued to enhance its technology and research capabilities while growing membership to become North America's largest State-Industry-University Cooperative Research Center. NCRC now serves as NWI's core research and discovery arm.

Operating on an Open Innovation platform, NWI engages experts from industry and higher education in building next-generation nonwoven applications while providing training and guidance to the field's future leaders. In order to prepare these future leaders, NC State offers an interdisciplinary graduate certificate in Nonwovens Science and Engineering.

In addition, NWI supports more than 30 Ph.D. students whose research ranges from materials to surface engineering to modeling and simulation. These students are drawn from Fiber & Polymer Science, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Textile Engineering, and other units. NWI also supports students at other institutions and has created a global network of professionals engaged in the field of nonwovens.

For more information on NWI go to www.thenonwovensinstitute.com or nonwovens@ncsu.edu. For more information on TAPPI go to www.tappi.org.

There are two types of people in our industry, TAPPI members and those who should be.

Until next time -- Larry

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TAPPI is pleased to announce the 2010 recipients of the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award, Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award, and the Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award:

• Richard J. Kerekes, PhD., Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award.
• Willis J. Potts, Jr., retired from Temple Inland, Rome, GA, USA, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award.
• Empire State TAPPI/NY Canadian PIMA Local Section Member Scott Frasca, Senior Account Manager, RohmNova, Sidney, ME, USA, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Award.

In addition, the following nine individuals have been named 2010 TAPPI Fellows:

• Gerald M. Dykstra, Retired Buckman, Bartlett, TN, USA
• Martin A. Hubbe, PhD., Associate Professor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
• John C. Husband, PhD., Lead Scientist, IMERYS Minerals Ltd., Cornwall, United Kingdom
• Cheryl M. Lamb, Retired from Buckman, Ellenton, FL, USA
• Patrice J. Mangin, PhD., General Director, Centre Integre En Pates Et Papiere, Trois-Rivieres, Canada
• Frank J. Sutman, Global R&D Platform Lead, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Wilmington, DE, USA
• Jukka H. Tiitinen, President, Metso Paper North America, Atlanta, GA, USA
• Ronald L. Van Gilder, Research Fellow, Sappi Fine Paper N.A., Westbrook, ME, USA
• Mark T. Watkins, Senior Vice President, MWV(MeadWestvaco) Corporation, Glen Allen, VA, USA

The 2010 award winners will be honored at the Tuesday evening, May 4, 2010, awards dinner during the 2010 PaperCon Conference at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, USA. The new TAPPI Fellows will be honored at the TAPPI Fellows Luncheon, Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA, USA in conjunction with the 2010 PaperCon meeting.

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Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Location: Dreyfus University Center, Stevens Point, WI, USA

In this one-day program, twelve sessions will provide insight on innovative technologies in stock preparation and wet end chemistry. A special segment will be devoted to research and development at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The overall focus of this meeting will be on new or emerging technologies to promote value added grade development, cost optimization, and quality improvements.

Who should attend? Product Development Engineers, Paper Machine, Stock Prep, Coating Prep, Operators, Process Engineers, Superintendents, Supervisors, Lab Personnel, Suppliers, and Students, as well as others interested in learning more about technology, and process troubleshooting.

Session Chairs include:

• Don Guay, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Kelly Klaas, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Danielle Mortag, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
• Nancy Ross Sutherland, USDA Forest Service

The pre-registration fee is $110.00; on-site registration is $135.00. Students and retirees qualify for reduced rate if pre-registered: $25.00 / $45.00 on-site. Send pre-registration fees by February 12, 2010, to Membership Services Administrator: Clark Schabo, W5562 Center Valley Rd., Black Creek, WI, 54106. Phone: 734-5073; Fax (credit cards only): 920-830-9610.

For further details on this program, call Don Guay at 715-346-4746 or visit Lake States TAPPI website.

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Long-time TAPPI members may already know some of the many treasures available from the TAPPI bookstore. A new hard copy catalog for 2010 is coming out that will highlight some of our more popular offerings.

The 2010 TAPPI Catalog features:

• Over 8 new releases
• Best seller items categorized by industry segment
• Web and Computer based training
• Sale/ Discount items
• Complete index of all TAPPI PRESS products

The 2010 Catalog is included in the Jan./Feb. issue of Paper360° and can be pulled out as a stand-alone publication. If you want to get a sneak peek, it is also available online at www.tappi.org/bookstore.

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The Texas Tech University (TTU) System has awarded the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award to Seshadri Ramkumar, an associate professor of nonwovens and advanced materials at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at TTU. The Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award is the highest award given by the TTU System to a faculty member who has excelled in research. The TTU System awards a top researcher at each of its three component universities, TTU, TTUHSC and Angelo State University with this highest research award. The award is highly competitive and candidates are evaluated at several levels by committees before the final award is made.

Ramkumar's award was announced by TTU University System Chancellor Kent Hance in December 2009. With the distinguished research award, Dr Ramkumar received a medallion and cash award for his research on nonwovens and technical textiles.

Dr. Ramkumar manages the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at TTU, Lubbock, USA. The special focus of his laboratory is to find value-added applications for cotton and other natural fibers using emerging technologies such as nonwoven technologies, plasma, and nanotechnology. Dr. Ramkumar has been playing a leadership role for the past five years in promoting the technical textiles sector in India.

Dr. Ramkumar is an active member in TAPPI's NET (Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists) Division. He can be reached at (806) 445-1925 or s.ramkumar@ttu.edu.

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Tony Knoezer, Vice President of Packaging Advanced Research, Frito-Lay and Christa Martin, Vice President Product Development and Management, MBE (a UPS company) will be the keynote speakers at the 2010 PLACE Conference. It will occur April 18-21, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, and is sponsored by TAPPI's Polymers, Laminations, Adhesives, Coatings and Extrusions (PLACE) Division. The conference is tailored for attendees from all areas of the flexible packaging and converting industries.

Knoerzer is responsible for research that will deliver greater performance and value through the creation of new materials, formats and technologies. He also leads the development of sustainable food packaging by coordinating a global team. 

Martin joined Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE, A UPS Company) in April 2008 as Vice President of Product Development and Management. MBE is the franchisor of The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. Martin has more than 20 years of sales, marketing, operations and product development experience.

The 2010 PLACE Conference is the premier North American event for the flexible packaging industry. The theme of this conference is "A PLACE to Soar." It will include multiple peer-to-peer networking opportunities with a wide range of technical professionals working in flexible packaging, polymers, laminations, adhesives, coatings, and extrusions.

Complete information, including the technical program, schedule of events, sponsorship opportunities and registration, is available online. TAPPI's PLACE Division is made up of hundreds of technical professionals working in flexible packaging, laminations, adhesives, coatings, and extrusions disciplines.

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The Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry (ASPI) invites all ASPI members to reconnect with peers at the 2010 Spring Meeting, scheduled for February 18-19, 2010 in Naples, Florida, USA. This meeting delivers meaningful business content while providing a unique forum for senior business leaders to meet and interact with their peers serving the pulp and paper industry supplier community.

A key reason that business leaders attend is that they learn directly from guest speakers who represent their customer base. The speakers are senior executives who address pressing issues that affect how participants conduct business today and tomorrow. The connection is direct without any filtering layer of analysts or intermediaries. This meeting's presenters include J. Patrick Maley III, President, COO, and Director for Temple-Inland; Mike Edwards, SVP Pulp & Paper Manufacturing for Domtar; and Butch Johnson, CEO of Flambeau River Biofuels.

ASPI meeting attendees will also hear industry and market segment overviews by Stephen Atkinson, Managing Director for Paper & Forest Products for BMO Capital Markets. Joining him is Paul Leclair, VP and Chief Economist with the Pulp and Paper Products Council. ASPI is also pleased to announce that Tim Mescon, President of Columbus State University will be speaking. Mescon has an outstanding reputation as a speaker on management and leadership issues.

The ASPI 2010 Spring Meeting offers opportunities for informal networking, an ASPI Golf Tournament on Friday, February 19th, and a Spouse/Guest program. The venue is The Inn on Fifth in Old Naples, Florida  ASPI has negotiated preferred hotel registration rates for ASPI attendees.

Prospective participants are encouraged to make reservations. They can visit the ASPI website, www.aspinet.org for full details now and can visit the site periodically for program updates. Further background is available from Colleen Walker, ASPI Director of Member Relations, at cwalker@aspinet.org or by phone at +1 770 209-7349.

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Date: March 15-19, 2010
Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Need to know more about pulping, bleaching, chemical recovery, recycling, papermaking and converting to do your job better? Gain an excellent overall view of the basic concepts in pulp and paper manufacturing while increasing your understanding through hands-on laboratory exercises.

Using a combination of balanced lectures and laboratories, this workshop will provide you with an easy-to-learn and lasting introduction to pulp and paper technology, operations, and markets, including:

• Overview knowledge of the entire pulping and papermaking process
• How different processes affect paper properties
• Hands-on lab experiments to enhance your understanding of process
• Run a pilot plant paper machine
• Close interaction with Pulp and Paper Professors in small groups

Learn more about the course and register to attend here. You can also download the complete course brochure.

CEUs available. This course will also be held June 7-10, 2010; and October 4-8, 2010.

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TAPPI's NET (Nonwovens Engineers & Technologists) Division is pleased to announce that it is planning a 2010 Nonwovens Technical Conference for this fall. The conference will provide updates on current challenges and cutting-edge solutions for the nonwovens industry. Last year, leading experts from the nonwovens field addressed hot topics such as sustainability and "green" concerns, advanced binders and additives, and new technologies affecting the industry. Additional details on this year's program will be announced later this spring. 

"TAPPI and the members of NET are excited to expand our commitment to the nonwovens industry by organizing this conference," said TAPPI's President and CEO Larry N. Montague said. "By providing attendees with access to important technical knowledge and a network of people who can leverage that knowledge, TAPPI's 2010 Nonwovens Technical Conference will advance the science and its application within this dynamic field. This event is a critical gathering for those dedicated to broadening their knowledge of nonwovens technology."

Operating as a division of TAPPI, NET is the only professional society in the nonwovens industry and is the international association home for nonwovens experts from diverse markets and disciplines. Members work collaboratively in volunteer groups to share knowledge with peers throughout the world in all segments of the nonwovens industry -- from hygiene and fabrics to filtration, insulation and more.

NET is led by Division Chair Behnam Pourdeyhimi, who is Associate Dean for Industry Research & Extension, William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor and Executive Director of The Nonwovens Institute for North Carolina State University. "Technical societies such as TAPPI's NET Division provide a great service to the industry and return in spades actionable ideas to the individuals who volunteer, " said Pourdeyhimi. "TAPPI's 2010 Nonwovens Technical  Conference provides an exciting opportunity for NET to further nonwovens science and manufacturing applications through peer-reviewed papers and collaborative activities among organizers and attendees."

To learn more about participating in the development of the 2010 Nonwovens Technical Conference, please contact  Craig McKinney, Program Manager, at +1-770-209-7294 or cmckinney@tappi.org.

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The upcoming Best Practices in Corrugator Operations Short Course is sold out and has surpassed capacity for TAPPI's training facility. The course will now be held February 16-19, 2010, at the Holiday Inn Select in Norcross, Georgia, USA. Last held in 2004, this course is back by popular demand and teaches participants how to understand each element in the corrugating process, which will lead to higher productivity, better quality, and waste reduction.

Participants will learn the basics of how each component in the corrugator system works and how to run each component with optimum settings for peak performance. Both old and new equipment will be covered. Participants will develop an understanding of the critical properties of the raw materials that are vital to guarantee acceptable quality board. The course instructors will teach participants how the "Centerline Process" can be adopted in their plant and achieve a product that is consistent every day and on all shifts. Learn more.

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TAPPI has announced the dates and location for its 13th European PLACE Conference as 30 May - 1 June, 2011. It will be held at the internationally famous Festpielhaus on Lake Constance in Bregenz Austria. This biennial European event brings together professionals in the flexible packaging industry. It attracts managers, packaging engineers, technical personnel, technical directors and other key decision makers.

"We are excited to bring the same caliber of information and experts to Austria as we drew to our successful 12th European PLACE event in Budapest Hungary in 2009," said TAPPI President and CEO, Larry N. Montague. "The high quality of programming and the convenient location on Lake Constance bordering Switzerland, Austria and Germany promises to attract attendees from all over Europe."

The Invitation to Present will be extended in the coming months. Continue to check www.tappi.org for new details.

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"Optimizing Chemical Recovery Technology for Today's Marketplace" is the theme of the 2010 International Chemical Recovery Conference, which will be held March 28-April 1, 2010 in Williamsburg, Virginia USA.  Held every three years, the conference is a major event that addresses the needs of industry and academic professionals with interests in chemical recovery technology in the pulp and paper industry. The updated program schedule features more than 65 presentations. The event is designed to provide delegates an update on new technologies from around the globe while also showcasing ways to improve existing technology.

The 2010 International Chemical Recovery Conference will include several key components:
- A comprehensive Plenary Session
- Special colonial Groaning Board Banquet in historic Williamsburg, VA
- Peer-to-peer networking that connects diverse groups of chemical recovery experts
- Sponsorship opportunities designed to fit a range of marketing needs or budgets

Online registration is available for prospective delegates. Those who register before March 1, 2010, receive the best registration rate and save hundreds of dollars (U.S.) versus the full fee that applies after that date. Members of TAPPI (international), PAPTAC (Canada), Japan TAPPI, ABTCP (Brazil), and PI (Finland) receive preferential pricing for all registration options. Group discounts are also available, offering substantial savings for multiple registrants from a single location.

More program content is available at www.icrcmeeting.org. Those interested in sponsorship information can contact Craig McKinney at +1 770 209-7294 or cmckinney@tappi.org. Information is also available through TAPPI's Member Connection Center, 1 800-332-8686 (US), 1-800-446-9431 (Canada), +1-770-446-1400 (worldwide), or via email at memberconnection@tappi.org.

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A Call for Presentations/Posters has been issued for the 2010 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry, 27-29 September, 2010, in Espoo, Finland. This annual, internationally recognized event brings together leading researchers, industry experts, government representatives, and other stakeholders to share  advances and perspectives on nanotechnology-based products for the forest products and related industries.

To leverage research advances and offer participants new opportunities for knowledge sharing, the 2010 Technical Program Committee invites contributions from participants working with nano-enabled bio-materials, products, and their processing. Analysis of challenges and trends in emerging markets for forest products that are based on nanotechnology are sought to provide a foundation for new research and industrial activities. The organizers also  encourage submissions on other aspects of nanotech products including law, policy, economics and environmental health and safety. View the Call for Papers.

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TAPPI and Pira International are collaborating to provide key insight into the future of the paperboard industry with the Paperboard Packaging Conference, 22-24 June, 2010, in Budapest, Hungary.

The event will bring together leading minds in paperboard and associated industries, creating a forum where the current challenges and opportunities facing converters, mills and end users involved in paperboard will be discussed and real solutions proposed.

In this forum you will hear:

• Market forecasts by geographic region, material type and end use over the next five years
• Consumer, retailer and brand owner future requirements and expectations
• Sustainability challenges and opportunities for paperboard packaging
• Latest innovations in printing and decoration technologies
• Regulatory and legislative landscape for the future Advances in paperboard manufacture and converting

Learn more about the Paperboard Packaging Conference, including the Draft Program at www.paperboardpack.com.

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Nominations are now open for management level awards through PIMA's prestigious and well-established industry awards program. All the awards recognize accomplishment and expertise in the field of management. The first three highlight leaders who have made significant contributions to the paper industry over time. The deadline for submission is January 31, 2010.

Nominations are open for the following awards:

• PIMA'S Executive of the Year: PIMA's highest honor, traditionally presented to senior-level executives in the pulp, paper or converting industries for excellence in management and outstanding contributions to the industry as a whole.
• Mill Manager of the Year: Recognizes the mill manager who has best demonstrated outstanding leadership, management, and organizational skills leading to improved results at the facility for which he or she is responsible.
• The Brookshire Moore Superintendent of the Year: Recognizes the mill superintendent who has shown high personal standards and professional management qualities that contribute to the betterment of those under their management and in their company.
• Technologist of the Year
• Ray H. Cross Community Service Award
• Delano L. "Del" Boutin Local Section Service Award
• Thomas F. Sheerin, Sr. Service Award
• IT Service Award
• Kenneth H. Phillips Specialist Group Award
• Student of the Year Award

The one-page Nomination Forms are available online, in both a printable PDF format or as an interactive online form. Complete award descriptions are also available online. Honor your peers, coworkers, and managers, and help promote management excellence in our industry, by making your nominations for PIMA Awards.

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