There is still time to register online for the TAPPI PaperCon event, April 22 - 25, in New Orleans, La., USA. 

PaperCon is where CEOs, mill managers, superintendents, scientists, process engineers, and suppliers gather to learn and network. See who is attending PaperCon.

What does PaperCon include? Program tracks include Papermakers, Coating and Graphic Arts, and PIMA Management. The PaperCon program also features: Inside and outside the box: Optimizing paperboard grades, the Sustainability Forum, an Executive Panel Discussion, a Young Professionals Program, Coating 101 Course, and other practical workshops and seminars, and features the largest PaperCon exhibit ever. Bonus Sessions (open to all PaperCon registrants) Control Systems 2012: The first USA appearance for this highly-rated biannual conference. RPTA Production-Technical Seminar, the OpEx Reliability Seminar.

In addition, PaperCon 2012 will feature two Keynote Speakers: Jeffrey Hayzlett, bestselling author, global business celebrity, and "sometime cowboy," will address the crowd on Monday, April 23, in the Opening Session, and Lisa Bauer Lotto, M.S., director, Environmental and Sustainability Programs, Green Bay Packaging Inc., will kick-off the Coating program during a special session on Sunday, April 22.

Learn more about PaperCon

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Members who would like to nominate a candidate for TAPPI's 2013 Board of Directors election should submit a nomination datasheet available online. The candidates must be TAPPI members.

Nominations should be submitted no later than May 15, 2012, by email to mcornell@tappi.org or by mail to Mary Beth Cornell, TAPPI, 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092 USA +1 770 209-7210.

Thank you,

Jeffrey Siegel, TAPPI Nominating Committee Chair

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Fredric Allan Christiansen, a TAPPI member since 1969, was a Scott Paper Co. employee for more than 30 years, after which he spent 11 years as director of technology with Jacobs Engineering of Greenville, S.C. Following retirement from Jacobs, he pioneered a consulting business, FAC Consult, which he managed until his death this week in Greer, S.C.

Christiansen's 30-year tour with Scott Paper included process engineer at the Everett, Wash., mill; technical director at Anacortes, Wash.; assistant paper mill manager at the Mobile, Ala., mill; paper mill superintendent in Detroit, Mich.; and manufacturing brand manager/manager of process and product development at the company's headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa. During his long career in the pulp and paper industry, he made significant contributions in the areas of new product development and process improvement technologies.

Hunting, fishing, waterskiing, and trekking through the Cascade Mountains with his family on horseback were among Christiansen's favorite activities. He also loved salmon fishing in Alaska, working on his property in South Alabama, touring the eastern seaboard on his motorcycle, snow skiing, and spending time with his granddaughters outdoors.

A memorial will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville, S.C., this Sunday, April 15, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Fred would have appreciated contributions to the Humane Society of Greenville and/or VistaCare Hospice of Greenville.

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To celebrate Earth Day (April 22), Professor Arthur Ragauskas, The Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Ga., USA, plans to hold the third global earth day poster session on his web site. The poster session will deal with the education and science/technology of converting bioresources to biofuels, biopower, bio-based materials, and chemicals. It will open Earth Day and be available to the general public.

If you are interested in participating or would like to view the posters, please visit Professor Regauskas' web site.

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Registration is now underway for the TAPPI Hands-on Workshop for Pulp and Paper Basics June 4 - 8, 2012 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., USA.

Register here to reserve your seat. The number of students in the course will be limited in size - to 32 - for maximum effectiveness, and registrations will be accepted in the order they are received.

If you're wondering whether this course is right for you, it probably is! It's an essential course that teaches the basic concepts in pulp and paper manufacturing and is designed for anyone wanting to improve their role in operations. Learn more.

This workshop is especially beneficial for:

• New process engineers, manufacturing operators, and technicians who want to understand more fully how raw materials are processed into products
• Individuals who wish to broaden their knowledge of the processes through basic laboratory and pilot paper machine experiences
• Sales and service personnel, machine operators, and maintenance personnel who need to better appreciate paper machine operations by conducting a pilot paper machine trial 
• Individuals who have completed TAPPI's Introduction to Pulp and Paper course and who want to benefit from the laboratory and pilot plant experiences.

Previous participants said:

"The information was detailed and easily understood by both engineers and non-engineers. I will definitely suggest the course to others."

"This is an excellent course, providing an intense overview of the entire papermaking process."

Workshop Materials: Participants will receive a course notebook and CD with approximately 400 pg. of reference materials.

Earn CEUs: You'll earn 3.7 continuing education credits at the completion of this June 4 - 8 course. It's a lovely time to be in North Carolina.

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Reintroduced in 2010, TAPPI is pleased to bring back this essential--and popular--program for paper professionals. Plan to attend this course being held in Appleton, Wis., May 15 - 17.

This course, designed for new as well as experienced personnel, helps attendees learn how to improve the quality of their product, diminish waste, and increase output. Machine supervisors, technical resources, lead operators and technical personnel, project engineers, and suppliers can all benefit from this course, which is being led by industry-recognized instructors.

To learn more about this course and register, go to the event website.

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TAPPI Fellow Donald W. Lawton was a highly respected leader in the paper industry for nearly half a century, having lived and worked most of his career in the Holden, Mass., area. A graduate of Wentworth Institute, Lawton was first recognized as the co-inventor of a new type of paper coating drying device that revolutionized many aspects of the drying of coated paper and paperboard. He attended his first TAPPI conference in 1964 and became a full member in 1967.

As a member of TAPPI, Lawton was a key participant in many conferences and conducted popular seminars on blade coating and airfoil coating, while also speaking on new technological breakthroughs emerging in the field of paper coating. He also published articles in TAPPI JOURNAL and presented papers on the air drying of coated papers and board at technical meetings around the world. He was known as the "heart" of the TAPPI Coating and Graphic Arts Division, and was named a TAPPI Fellow in 1997.

After retirement, Lawton became very active on the Holden, Mass., School Building Committee, overseeing the building of three local elementary schools. He also served on Holden's Main Street Task Force where he was chairman of the Transportation / Circulation Committee overseeing the reconstruction of Holden's Main Street district. In retirement, he also enjoyed cross-country trips and the opportunity to spend more time with his children and grandchildren.

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Engineers involved in papermaking wet end chemistry will want to mark June 4 - 6 on their calendars. The 2012 TAPPI Introduction to Wet-End Chemistry course takes place during these three days at TAPPI headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA.

This course will help you get up to speed on the latest technology and terminology you need for optimum papermaking performance. Instructors for this course know that cost savings is ultimately your mark for a strong finish, so they focus the three-day interactive training on innovative wet end chemistry principals and the use of additives to change or create new paper products.

Through case studies, break-out sessions, and networking with others in the course, you'll learn how to:

• Implement new technology into your mill's wet-end process to reach higher efficiency and yield consistent, quality products
• Use chemicals and other additives to change or create new products and maximize machine capacity
• Put the brakes on machine downtime and off-specification products
• Make better judgments on selection and use of papermaking chemicals
• Better troubleshoot problems on paper machines
• Get up to speed on the challenges papermakers face due to changing fiber qualities, regulations, and competitive pressures.

View the Workshop Schedule to see specific topics covered.

This introductory- to intermediate-level course is designed for those in pulp and paper manufacturing facilities with job responsibilities, such as chemical and process engineers, mill superintendents, research and development engineers, technology and chief chemists, R&D VPs, process and quality control technicians, and suppliers involved with the wet end processes.

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2012 Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association Annual Meeting in May The Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Annual Meeting and Conference will be held May 9-11, 2012 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. PPMA provides human resource information to the pulp, paper, converting and allied industries. The meeting includes a program of expert speakers covering topics such as labor law, training and health care, extensive networking opportunities and updates on key industry research including an annual salary survey.

"The 2012 Annual Meeting will provide attendees with helpful information that can be used to improve business performance, including results from our annual salary surveys and other human resource information," notes PPMA Executive Director, Dick Kendall. "In addition, we have a strong speaker line-up including David Scheible, CEO of Graphic Packaging, who will share his views and insights on how to sustain results in a tough economic and business climate."

The theme of this year's conference is "On the Anvil." Key topics that will be covered include: how to discuss and implement a labor/management committee to help efficiency; update on current health care discussions across the U.S.; current labor law developments; OSHA rules and their impact on union and non-union operations. In addition, a review of how to use the National Network for Pulp and Paper Technology Training (NPT2) training resource will be provided.

A wide range of key trends in the industry will be addressed by an outstanding program of speakers including: David Scheible, CEO, Graphic Packaging International; Dan Murphy, Labor Law Expert; Dennis Smith, Secretary of the Department of Health Services; Daniel Van Wychen, Commissioner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS); T.J. Murphy, Executive Director, NPT2, Mike Lies, Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Professor Emeritus C.Y. Allen and Eric Hobbs, partner at Michael Best & Friedrich Law Firm.

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This information-packed volume provides practical, industrially focused approaches to operational issues, and includes a first-ever, complete examination of the ongoing environmental and staging changes that occurred after the discontinuation of chlorine usage in 1996. Written to assist production engineers, supervisors and scientists find quick solutions to today's immediate problems, The Bleaching of Pulp (5th Edition) is designed to help both novice and seasoned professionals quickly understand a wide range of operational issues

Authors Alan W. Rudie, Ph.D., and Peter W. Hart, Ph.D., have delivered the industry's premier text on bleaching technologies. Pre-order your copy today and pay only $110, a savings of more than 50% off the May release list price of $232 (TAPPI members: $155). Or, contact TAPPI's Member Connection or call, +1 800 332-8686 (US), 1 800 446-9431(Canada), or +1 770 446-1400 (Worldwide).

But hurry, this offer ends April 30!

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Long-time TAPPI Fellow Robert E. Chamberlain was the originator of multiple concepts that revolutionized the operation of chemical recovery boilers. Among his most noteworthy accomplishments was implementation of the consumed air technique that allowed the industry to better monitor and control combustion in boiler operations.

Chamberlain made countless innovations in recovery boiler technology throughout his career, many of which were essential in improving paper industry safety and efficiency. He had a deep understanding of chemical recovery processes and controls that formed the basic blueprint for many of today's techniques used in the pulp and paper industry. He received many commendations for his work and was nominated for the TAPPI Fellowship in 1985.

Quite by accident in 1993, Chamberlain became devoted to the "chaotic splendor" of watercolor painting. He studied with the Federation of Canadian Artists and became an accomplished artist. Many will remember Chamberlain in his fine suits and crisp white shirts, but another side of him enjoyed getting his hands dirty creating stunning gardens for his family to enjoy at home. In 2004, Chamberlain was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, but this did not deter him from living his life to the fullest.

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Nominations for the major TAPPI 2013 awards are due by August 1, 2012.

The awards that may be presented in the upcoming year are:

Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award - The Association's highest technical honor may be presented annually to recognize an individual or individuals for preeminent scientific and engineering achievements of proven commercial benefit to the world's pulp, paper, board, and forest products industries and the other industries that TAPPI serves.

Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award - The Association's highest award for service, may be presented annually to recognize leadership and service which have significantly and demonstrably contributed to the advancement of the Association.

Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award – The highest honor for Local Sections may be presented annually to recognize an individual for outstanding leadership and exceptional service to one or more Local Sections, which have resulted in significant and demonstrable benefits to the Local Section members.

TAPPI Fellow - TAPPI Fellows are Individuals who have been members of TAPPI for not less than 10 years prior to the nomination, and who have contributed meritorious service to the Association and/or the paper and related industries. Retiring members of the TAPPI Board of Directors become Fellows automatically at the end of their term.

The TAPPI Awards and Honors page has links to these awards which will show the qualifications required and links to the nomination forms that must be completed. You may submit all nomination forms by email to standards@tappi.org, or you may fax them to the attention of the awards department at +1-770-446-6947, or send by mail to TAPPI, Awards Department, 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092, USA.

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