Recently, I had the opportunity to witness a demonstration of a new and innovative product that has been 15 years in the making! What was it? A recyclable, water-resistant cooler made from corrugated paper with a moisture barrier coating! 

This unique product is made by E-cooler LLC, an earth-friendly packaging company and also a sister company to the PackPros Alliance Group. This alliance began in 1943 with just one company that manufactured and distributed corrugated packaging in Detroit, Mich. Over the years, it gradually expanded and now operates seven different corrugated manufacturing facilities throughout the Midwest. Its mantra has been and still is: Adapt, Survive and Thrive.

As an industry innovator, E-cooler LLC developed and now markets e-cooler® products, which were designed as cost effective, environmentally responsible packaging solutions. The applications for e-cooler® products are two fold: retail coolers and industrial boxes. The industrial boxes are a recyclable alternative to conventional, non-recyclable, wax coated boxes currently being used in the seafood, produce and poultry industries.

Another important goal for E-cooler LLC was to develop the retail e-cooler® as a sustainable, economical alternative to polystyrene coolers. Across the retail industry, polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) has been regarded as a dangerous material for the environment. The vast majority of Styrofoam containers end up in landfills because they cannot be easily recycled. For this reason, e-cooler® products are the perfect "green" solution to conventional polystyrene coolers.  The e-cooler® products are:

• Sustainable, recyclable products made from corrugated paper
• Durable and reusable
• Water and moisture resistant
• Possess comparable thermal performance to Styrofoam
• Are 100% wax free and 100% polystyrene free
• Made in the USA  and are U.S. Patent Pending

Finally, a solution exists that gives industry leaders and consumers the option to support Sustainable Packaging Initiatives. The e-cooler® products are revolutionizing the packaging industry!

For more information on these products, please go to www.e-cooler.com.

For more information on TAPPI, please go to http://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, in partnership again with Pira International, is pleased to announce the second annual Specialty Papers Conference, scheduled for November 10-11, 2010, at the Hotel Allegro Chicago, in Chicago, Ill. This year's program will focus on the current state of the market and the latest technology and application developments in the specialty papers arena.

Specialty Papers 2010 will feature approximately 18 expert presentations assessing market trends, technical developments, and application-related advances through presentations, question-and-answer sessions, and panel discussions. Topics new to this year's agenda include an update on the Chinese specialty papers market; choosing specific market pulps for various grades; and in-depth looks at packaging paper markets and developments; life cycle assessment; and regulations and certifications. Learn more at www.specialtypaperconference.com.

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If there's a best time to implement lean manufacturing into your operations, this is it. TAPPI is offering – 2010 TAPPI Lean Manufacturing - Flexo & Die Cutters – May 25-27 at TAPPI headquarters near Atlanta – an intensive three-day course focused on running Die Cutters and Flexo Folder-Gluers at maximum efficiency. The course is led by Dick Target, one of the industry's most well-respected and knowledgeable experts in lean manufacturing.

Target will concentrate on proven methods, such as Centerlining, "Time and Register" calibration, vendor certification, and Ink management. Other topics include zeroing the gear train in the press, implementing a successful Five-S program, tools for effective Waste Reduction, tooling use and purchase, and anilox roll care and maintenance. Presented in a direct, easy-to-understand manner, this course is valuable for everyone from senior operators and maintenance technicians to plant management.

Early bird registration ends at the end of this month, April 30. And, with a $200 savings for early registration, this course is just too important to miss. CEUs are available.

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The corrugated industry's esteemed CorrPak® 2010 Competition is open to ALL corrugated manufacturers worldwide. Entries for corrugated package products manufactured between August 1, 2008 and August 1, 2010 are now being accepted. The competition identifies and recognizes the finest commercially produced corrugated package products in the industry. Sponsored by TAPPI's Corrugated Packaging Division, the CorrPak® 2010 Competition is held every other year. Don't miss this one: Deadline for entries is Friday, August 27, 2010.

View or print the rules and entry requirements.

Individuals or companies may submit more than one submission for consideration, even in the same category. The CorrPak Competition is an exceptional way to showcase outstanding creativity and ingenuity. The CorrPak Competition entries on display at the 2010 Corrugated Week conference will provide an enlightening glimpse of some of the industry's finest work. For previous examples, view photos from the 2008 CorrPak Competition.

Winning entries will be displayed during the TAPPI 2010 Corrugated Week conference held October 4-8 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA and the winner will be announced during the TAPPI conference. This event offers the most effective networking opportunity possible – where attendees can meet with all the sales and technical reps from their suppliers – in the convenience of one place, where, as one past attendee put it, "you get away from the shop for a couple of days and really focus on broadening your knowledge base."

Good luck to all 2010 entries!

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The Awards Committee of the TAPPI Pulp Manufacturing Division is requesting nominations for the Division Technical Award (and Johan Richter Prize), and the Division Leadership and Service Award (and Joseph Perkins Prize). Nominations are requested for both awards, but only one will be selected to be awarded at the Fall PEERS (formerly EPE) Conference to be held in Norfolk VA.

The Division Technical Award is intended to recognize outstanding accomplishments or contributions, which have advanced the pulp manufacturing processes and methods. It was last awarded to Dr. Richard Berry of FPInnovations at the 2009 EPE Conference in Memphis, Tenn., USA. The Division Leadership and Service Award is intended to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership and exceptional service to the Division. The Division Leadership award was last presented to Dr. Gopal Goyal of International Paper Company at the 2008 EPE Conference in Portland, Ore.

Completed nomination forms should be sent to Alan Rudie at arudie@fs.fed.us or by mail to Alan Rudie, Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, WI 53726. The form may also be downloaded here.

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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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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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