For the past year and a half I have had the good fortune to spend a substantial amount of time networking in central Europe, primarily Germany and The Netherlands. Most recently I attended the PTS Coating Symposium in Munich and the Specialty Papers conference in Bad Nauheim, outside Frankfurt. Additionally, I have had an opportunity to visit several mills in the region.
For the past seven years I have also had the opportunity to work periodically in Andean South America (Pacific coast) three to four weeks per year.
While Europe faces the same challenges and declining markets as North America, the attitude seems more hopeful, more committed. The loss of non-competitive commodity mills is accepted as inevitable, but there remains a discernable committed optimism to sustaining the industry through new technology. There is energy and determination, even enthusiasm about developing new technologies in coatings, nano-fibers, equipment, and techniques.
- Numerous companies, universities and institutes are working on new paradigms, new raw materials, coatings and application techniques.
- Paper customers are asking the industry to be more innovative and would like to see paper’s market share increase as a supplier of sustainable solutions.
- At least three curtain coaters and a possible fourth are planned for installation in Europe by one engineering firm alone.
- The EU, i.e. government, has funded 70% of a three-year research project (SUNPAP) with over nine million Euros to increase the use of sustainable forest products (nano-fibril cellulose) and technologies to keep good jobs in Europe. The project includes twenty-two partners from eight European countries who will directly benefit from this research.
The general impression left with me has been one of a pioneering spirit, a challenge with a new frontier to open up and develop. In-depth knowledge, skill, and innovative thinking are being applied to create whole new technologies, new products, and new ways of doing things. Foam coating and ultra-thin layer functional coatings come to mind.
In Andean South America, both used and new paper machines are being installed. I was recently privileged to work on a new, three-year-old linerboard/medium machine with state of the art chemical handling and control systems installed. That company is already planning to extend the drier section to increase production. The point here is that even emerging economies are investing in plant and equipment to maintain their home markets.
The one thing common to my experiences, Europe and South America, is the commitment to invest and re-invest in equipment, technology, and R&D to exploit opportunities, meet challenges, fulfill market needs, maintain or build their manufacturing infrastructure and provide good jobs. They want this important industry!
In North America, with some exceptions (Domtar’s NCC project for example) we are missing the challenge. In the name of efficiency (cost-cutting) many mills are frequently burning out young engineers, the future, and squeezing raw material suppliers so hard they can no longer afford the cost to develop new products.
Much of the innovation and acceptance of regulations in Europe, particularly, is because they really don’t have a choice. Population density and scarce or costly resources require European countries to severely limit pollution and maximize resource utilization. Necessity is the mother of invention.
The most powerful, non-polluting raw material available is critical, innovative thinking. We need more of it; and we should encourage it, nurture it, and value it for the sake of our industry in North America.
Your comments are invited.