The old saying that First Impressions become Lasting Impressions comes to life when you mention Kemira's Hannu Melarti. I first had the pleasure of meeting Hannu in early 2007.

If you have not had the opportunity to meet Hannu, you should make it a point to do so if the opportunity arises. He brings a breath of fresh air to an industry that we sometimes forget has shaped and sustained our world for over 1900 years. Hannu's personality and style permeate Kemira's North American corporate culture, positively impacting both personnel and facilities. The latest Research & Development (R&D) facility in Atlanta, Ga., USA, is absolutely amazing.

Because many of Kemira's 17 R&D facilities came through acquisition, they shared similar competencies and capabilities. Kemira made the decision to consolidate these 17 facilities around the world to five. The site selection process quickly focused on an area of Atlanta near the Georgia Tech campus. It was decided to locate the new laboratory space, and all associated with it, in Technology Enterprise Park (TEP). The TEP complex, situated adjacent to Georgia Tech, is devoted to R&D in various industries.

Not long ago, Eric Fletty and I had the privilege of visiting this amazing new R&D Center, located at 387 Technology Circle NW, Suite 300, Atlanta, Ga., 30313 (404-477-6500). Our gracious host and tour guide for the day was facility co-director Scott Rosencrance, Ph.D., Senior Manager, R&D, Paper.

Scott Rosencrance and his colleague, Lou Rosati, were given the enormous task of opening the new R&D Center. The project came with an aggressive deadline to have the Center ready for business at least six months or more before what many experts predicted as the best possible outcome. Well, guess what? They did it! After many long months, with long days and nights, they were able to meet their deadline for opening, in my opinion, the cleanest, brightest, and most unique R&D Center that I have toured to date.

The opening of this latest addition to Kemira's R&D capabilities was celebrated in September 2009. The Atlanta R&D Center has global responsibility for oil, mining, tissue, recycled fiber, defoamer, and polymer research and is a key part of Kemira's global R&D network. The center consolidates the expertise of all North American research locations under one roof and is intended to promote new levels of synergy between academic research and commercially focused technology and development.

Kemira has been a long time supporter of TAPPI, and we appreciate their loyalty to TAPPI and our industry.

For more information on Kemira and its new R&D center in Atlanta, go to www.kemira.com.

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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Nominations are being accepted for induction into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame. The deadline for nominations to be considered for 2010 is March 31st. The 16th induction ceremony will be held September 23rd in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Any individual, living or deceased, who has pioneered and/or uniquely helped the world's paper industry flourish, is eligible for induction into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame. Recognition will be based on contributions in the following categories: Academics; Economics; Entrepreneur; Founder; Leadership; Marketing/Sales; Research and Development; Service; and Technology.

The 2010 nomination form is available at www.paperhall.org. Contact Dave Lee, executive director, for further information at 920-380-7491 or dave@paperdiscoverycenter.org.

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Offered for the first time in years, TAPPI is pleased to unroll the Tissue Runnability Course, April 19-21, 2010 – an essential program for paper professionals at TAPPI's Atlanta headquarters. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of the tissue making process at many levels that can be applied immediately on the job. Instructional topics are focused on helping attendees improve the quality of their products, diminish waste and poor output and reduce frustrating down-time. The course material is designed with the objective of helping participants thrust production into high gear.

The Tissue Runnability Course is designed expressly for engineers, machine supervisors, technical resources, lead operators and technical personnel in tissue and towel mills. The three-day event covers the impact of recycled furnishes on paper characteristics, the principles of wet-end chemistry with machine operation, cleaning and conditioning of felts and wires, causes of tissue runnability problems in the press/Yankee/hood drying systems, identifying improvement opportunities on the dry-end of the paper machine, and pinpointing problems with the Yankee dryer steam, coating, and hood systems to increase machine productivity. The course schedule is led by industry-recognized instructors.

Tissue Runnability is limited to 30 participants, so prompt registration is encouraged for this course. Early bird registration ends March 19, 2010.

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What's high in the middle and round on the ends? Well, Ohio of course, and TAPPI's Ohio Local Section is high on planning for their next meeting (April 9, 2010 at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio). Ok, bad joke – but no where near a bad meeting!

Recently, Larry Montague and Eric Fletty had the pleasure of visiting Appleton's West Carrollton Mill and not only saw TAPPI members (from both Appleton and Ashland – Hercules) in action but discussed plans for the upcoming Ohio TAPPI Local Section Meeting. The Local Section has undergone a reinvention of itself and has a great event planned. For just $10, (register by March 26th for this early bird rate) you get:

• 9:00 AM - Upgrades and modernization of stock prep systems - J. Kerr, ANDRITZ
• 10:00 AM - Doctor blade setting - S. Cockerham, KADANT
• 11:00 AM - Paper machine water management for the Fourdrinier -S. Stewart, JOHNSON FOILS
• Lunch (provided)
• 2:00 PM - Automation: Color control & air systems, air dryers, heat recovery -T. Betteridge & M. Harrison, METSO
• 3:00 PM - How CD moisture actuators can save energy - J. Spachman, ABB

Registration couldn't be easier – just e-mail Prof. Doug Coffin at Prof. Doug Coffin at coffindw@muohio.edu. Additional information can be found at this link.

Pictured (Left to Right): Tom Maleike, Manager – Utilities, Process Control, Technical, Appleton
Jim Fuller, Quality Manager, Appleton
Bill Levenderis, Process Control Engineer, Appleton
Larry N. Montague, President & CEO, TAPPI
Nicole Hartley, Technical Sales Representative, Ashland-Hercules
Philip B. Keegan, Sales Team Leader, Ashland-Hercules
Eric Fletty, Vice President Operations, TAPPI

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Early discounted registration is now open for the 2010 BioPro Expo™ and Conference, slated for August 24-26 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. Providing program content and comprehensive exhibits created with multiple industries in mind, BioPro Expo™ explores practical methods for transitioning a variety of biomass feedstocks into energy and biofuel. This unique event will bring together diverse communities ranging from forest, agriculture, and biorefinery operations to power companies and technology suppliers – offering the Southeast's most powerful educational and professional networking experience in the bioenergy arena.

BioPro Expo will include in-depth case studies and technical sessions from experts in a variety of industries. In addition, there will be a comprehensive tradeshow and hands-on technology interaction. Additional input from governmental agencies will supplement this experience with perspective on the rapidly changing regulatory and funding environment impacting renewable energy efforts.

Registration fees are $485 for TAPPI members and $746 for non-members, if confirmed by July 2, 2010. Onsite registration is $735 for TAPPI members and $1,125 for non-members. Registration information is available at www.bioproexpo.org.

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The 2010 International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference (IBBC) is now an important conference component of BioProExpo™. IBBC will include technical presentations, expert panels, case studies, and reports from projects that address the production of biofuels and bioproducts through: the use of forest and agricultural biomass resources; biorefining technology; feedstock and harvesting improvements to increase yield and quality of biomass; and leveraging forest products manufacturing infrastructure.

Presentations are being sought in the following topic areas:

Technology Track: Seeking strong technical papers with a focus on presenting new findings in Biomass Supply & Demand, Biomass Harvesting & Preparation, Advances in Conversion Pathways and Advances in Bioproducts.

Deployment Track: Seeking case studies and updates from pilot scale, commercial, and pre-commercial operations in Biorefineries, Repurposing the Traditional Pulp and Paper Mill, Harvesting and Preparation, Technical Economic Analyses, Commercial Collaborations for Enabling Technologies and Project Deployment Issues.

For more information on the IBBC Call for Papers, visit http://www.bioproexpo.org/ibbc_call.asp.

Abstract Requirements: Abstracts should be no more than 200 words.
Submission Deadline: March 22, 2010
Presentations Deadline: August 2, 2010
Submit Abstracts to: IBBC@tappi.org
Event Website: www.bioproexpo.org

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Date(s):
Spring 2010 -- April 12-14
Fall 2010 -- October 4-6
Spring 2011 -- April 4-6
Fall 2011 -- October 3-5

Location:
Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

The Black Liquor Recovery Boiler Advisory Committee (BLRBAC) guides the safe installation and operation of recovery boilers at kraft paper mills. Their meetings draw attendees from all over the world, from the operating mills, the manufacturers of recovery boilers and associated equipment, to engineers from the insuring companies. Many members of BLRBAC are also TAPPI members that serve on the Steam and Power Committee.

Visit www.blrbac.org for registration information and additional details or contact David Parrish at david.parrish@fmglobal.com.

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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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