Six New Inductees Named to Paper Industry International Hall of Fame

The Paper Industry International Hall of Fame's membership roster will expand to 117 on October 3 with the induction of six more paper industry notables who have been chosen as the 19th anniversary induction class. Walter Brecht, Charles N. Egan, Waldemar Jensen, Sverker Martin-Löf, Sven Axel Rydholm, and Theodore H. Wegner will join 111 previous members of the Paper Hall of Fame during induction ceremonies at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, Wis., USA.

The Paper Industry International Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who, through their inventions initiative and efforts, have built or improved paper and allied industries worldwide. Each of the six inductees is being recognized in one or more categories, including Academic, Entrepreneur/Builder, Leadership, Research & Development, and Technology. Inductees are from the U.S., Finland, Germany, and Sweden.

Brecht (deceased), Darmstadt, Germany, was a professor in Paper Science and Technology at Technische Universität Darmstadt where he had a pivotal role in the training of Masters and PH.D. students for the Central European pulp and paper industry. Egan (deceased), Green Bay, Wis., USA, was an entrepreneur, builder, and innovative leader who put together Little Rapids Corp. (LRC) and is the primary reason why LRC not only survived as an independent, family-held paper company but continues to thrive with strong niche positions in attractive and growing end use markets.

Jensen (deceased), Helsinki, Finland, was a professor at Åbo Akademi University who later became CEO of The Finnish Pulp and Paper Research Institute (KCL). His research work at Åbo Akademi University was instrumental in the development of birch pulp as a significant component of the pulp and paper industry in Finland. Martin-Löf, Stockholm, Sweden, is one of Sweden's most renowned industrialists, who has played a key role in a number of Swedish Industries, not the least being pulp and paper.

Rydholm (deceased), Saffle, Sweden, was the global authority on pulping processes and pulp qualities of his time. Wegner, Madison, Wis., USA, has been the assistant director at the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory for the past 24 years, overseeing an $8-10 million per year pulping and papermaking research program. He was also instrumental in the start of TAPPI's Nanotechnology Division in 2012.

The 19th annual ceremony will begin with a reception at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2013, followed by dinner at 6:30 and the ceremony at 8 p.m. Attendees also will have the opportunity to witness the hanging of the commemorative plaques at the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame within the Paper Discovery Center located at 425 W. Water St., along the Fox River in Appleton, in the historic Atlas Paper Mill.

Reservations for the induction event can be made through the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame office at 920-380-7491.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/