IEEE IAS PPIC’s Post

The Role of #PaperBallots, Their Security and How They're Made Aug. 21, 2024 - Paper is an important part of the American election process. Paper ballots help provide reliability and security. Paper ballots are made from specialty graphic paper based on detailed specifications from election officials and equipment manufacturers. How Does Paper Support Elections? Paper is an important part of the American election process. The paper industry is proud to make paper ballots and other election materials, including: - "I Voted" stickers - Ballot envelopes - Voter registration forms - Instruction materials Paper ballots help provide reliability and security. According to Verified Voting, in 2024, 95% of voters are expected to use a ballot with a verifiable paper trail. Is a Specific Kind of Paper Used for Paper Ballots? Yes, paper ballots are made based on specifications from election officials and equipment manufacturers. This ensures ballot scanners and ballot marking devices correctly process the ballots. Election officials cannot use any kind of paper to print paper ballots. The type of paper they use is based on the type of ballot tabulator. How Are Paper Ballots Made? Paper ballots are made from specialty graphic paper. U.S. paper mills manufacture specialty graphic paper year-round. Paper ballots need to meet certain specifications for ballot tabulators to process them correctly. The specifications can include: - Weight - yes, paper has different weights! - Brightness - Opacity, or how see through the paper is - Caliper, which means the thickness - Smoothness Once a paper mill receives an order, the paper is produced to the specifications required. Then, there are multiple paths the paper can take before it ends up at a voting location: - The paper mill can send the paper directly to a converter or a printer. - The paper can go to a distributor first and the distributor sends it to a converter or a printer. Paper converters take unprinted paper and turn it into the finished ballot sizes. Printers print the ink on a ballot. Once the ballots are printed, they are shipped to the election district or assembled with other election materials by election service providers that manage the voting process workflow. Election officials work with paper suppliers and place orders for paper ballots months in advance. Other election materials like ballot envelopes and instructions can be printed on different paper weights and types. Are Paper Ballots Secure? Paper ballots are a tangible and trusted option. They provide a paper backup that can be counted again, which enhances the security of our election system. Paper ballots are essential and play a pivotal role in free, fair and secure elections. #ieee #ias #ppic #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry

Georgia-Pacific LLC's Augusta Corrugated Creates New Tool that Transforms Risky Procedure into a Safer Process "As leaders, we want them to know that we’re looking out for their safety – they come first with us.” August 20, 2024  Augusta, Ga. - The team at Georgia-Pacific's Augusta Corrugated facility is raising the bar when it comes to safety. They've been honored with the Fibre Box Association's 'Innovation in Safety' Achievement Award for a new tool they developed. For years, employees faced significant risks when checking the gap between the glue roll and the corrugated roll on the single facer. The single facer is a large machine that uses heated corrugating rolls to form flutes that adhere to a liner paper, producing single face webbing for corrugated board.  Though it might sound like a small task, the risks involved were anything but minor. Employees had to feed material just 4 thousandths of an inch thick into the running machine. To get an accurate read, they had to reach all the way to the nip point to push the material in while still holding on to it. This exposed them to extreme heat, pinch points, and possible crushing injuries. Despite the dangers, the process had become routine. “We were complacent. People were saying this is how we’ve been doing it for years. But that didn’t make it the right way,” said Daryl Harris, corrugator supervisor. Recognizing the need for a quick and safe fix, the Augusta team got right to work. Leaders collaborated closely with the maintenance team and operators who use the equipment daily and are familiar with the risks. Together, they developed a solution in just two months!  It’s called a gap check stand, and it’s a game changer. The new tool keeps employees completely away from the machine, eliminating risks like heat, pinch points, and crushing injuries. It’s also bolted to the floor to prevent it from being pulled into the single facer. The impact has been huge. Employees appreciate its simplicity and practicality. But the best part? It’s all about keeping them safe, and that’s what matters most. “The way the Augusta team came together and quickly tackled the issue is truly remarkable,” said Paul Guy, operations manager. “When leadership engages with team members and provides a solution that is both safe and practical, it not only enhances safety but also empowers everyone to take ownership of their roles. This collaboration and commitment are what truly drives our success and is something I’m very proud of.” #ieee #ias #ppic #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry

Tennessee Recycling Coalition Names Domtar's Kingsport Mill Business Recycler of the Year Domtar’s Kingsport mill recently received the 2024 Business Recycler of the Year award from the Tennessee Recycling Coalition during the organization’s annual Tennessee Sustainability Conference. Given to businesses that practice outstanding leadership in recycling and waste prevention, the mill was recognized for its two-year conversion of the facility’s uncoated freesheet paper machine into the company’s first 100 percent recycled containerboard mill. The mill, which resumed operations in January 2023, is home to the second-largest recycled containerboard machine in North America and is the largest recycled manufacturer in the state of Tennessee. “To receive this recognition is a tremendous honor,” said Troy Wilson, Kingsport mill manager. “It reflects our commitment to set the standard as a leader in sustainability. I am proud to accept this award on behalf of our employees — they are the driving force behind our efforts.” As part of its conversion, the more than 100-year-old mill repurposed approximately 31,500 tons of concrete and brick left over from the demolition of the previous mill for the foundation of the new facility. This action eliminated approximately 1,000 trips that would have been required to transport the material to a construction waste disposal site. “The conversion of the Kingsport mill was one of the largest capital investments in Domtar’s more than 175-year history,” said Jan Martin, director of Communications and Public Affairs. “Its innovative processes and cutting-edge technology are leading our long-term vision to build a competitive packaging business.” Since the conversion, the mill’s daily water usage has declined by two-thirds. When fully ramped-up, the mill will recycle around 670,000 tons of cardboard boxes and paper — enough to fill nearly 1.5 Empire State Buildings. Before being used to make new containerboard products, the material is screened and cleaned, yielding about 50,000 tons per year of waste byproducts that the mill uses to produce energy and electricity instead of sending it to landfills. Established in 1990, the Tennessee Recycling Coalition is a non-profit partnership of private business, federal and state agencies, cities and counties, non-profit organizations, trade associations, educational institutions and individuals. It promotes the statewide adoption of waste reduction and recycling, provides information and education, and addresses waste issues in the Volunteer State. #ieee #ias #ppic #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry

AMI Automation Completed PSF’s Latest Expansion with Cutting-Edge Paper Machine Technology Fábrica de Papel San Francisco S.A. de C.V. (PSF) has recently expanded its Mexicali plant with the addition of two new state-of-the-art #papermachines: Machine #9 and Machine #10. Engineered to transform wood pulp into a variety of paper products, Machine #9 specializes in the production of premium-quality tissue paper, while Machine #10 is set to start in 2025. AMI Automation is proud to have played a crucial role in this expansion by supplying and commissioning the motors, variable speed drives, sequence controllers, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). The startup was a complete success, and the engineering team achieved the machine’s top speed of 2200 meters per minute in just 24 hours. With Machine #9 up and running and showcasing its capabilities, #AMIAutomation has successfully provided control and drive systems for all eight PSF machines. We are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and operational efficiency and are honored to have collaborated with PSF personnel to ensure a flawless startup of this pivotal plant expansion. #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry #ieee #ias #ppic

International Paper Strengthens Commitment to Nature with $15.3 Million Investment in Conservation Partnerships MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2024 International Paper (IP) reaffirms its dedication to conserving forest ecosystems, nature and biodiversity with a $15.3 million investment to renew strategic alliances with key conservation partners, including the American Forest Foundation (AFF), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). These collaborations are pivotal to IP's business strategy and Vision 2030 goal to conserve and restore 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland. "International Paper's success depends on the sustainability of forests – and so does the future of our planet," said Sophie Beckham, vice president and chief sustainability officer, International Paper. "Renewing these strategic partnerships underscores our commitment to positively impact nature while delivering low-carbon, sustainable, fiber-based products to our customers." Among these partnerships, IP's collaboration with AFF has been key through the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP). Developed by AFF and TNC, this program facilitates family forest owners' access to climate finance from carbon markets. Supported by IP, the FFCP has expanded significantly in the Central Appalachian area and is set to launch activities in the Southeastern U.S., focusing on afforestation and improved forest management practices. IP's ongoing support allows the FFCP to invest in critically important applied research to identify which forests provide the most additional carbon mitigation when they enroll in the program. The Forestland Stewards Partnership (FSP) with NFWF, extended in 2022 with a $10 million commitment over five years. Launched in 2013, FSP has successfully established, enhanced or conserved more than 1.6 million acres of iconic southern forestlands. Focused on longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood restoration, this partnership aims to further wildlife conservation and sustainable forestry practices in the Southeastern U.S. Since 2018, IP's collaboration with TNC has led to advancements in sustainable forestry practices. This work reaches beyond IP's traditional supply chain to identify natural climate solutions that can be replicated in forests around the world. With the first two phases complete, IP renewed its partnership to scale up efforts towards responsible forestry, carbon sequestration and biodiversity monitoring in the Central Appalachian region of the U.S. and in Mexico. Additionally, as one of the first five companies to join WWF's Forests Forward program, IP is taking action on responsible sourcing and aiding efforts in priority sourcing regions to support nature, climate and people. The latest collaboration involves helping local partners in the Mobile Basin of Mississippi and Alabama address a critical issue: the preservation of heirs' property. #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry #ppic

DS Smith North America Launches New PackRight Workshops for Highly Collaborative Sustainable Packaging Design ATLANTA – July 25, 2024 – DS Smith, a leading fiber-based packaging manufacturer, has launched PackRight 2.0, a hybrid collaboration experience. The new offering features interactive workshops to help businesses in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), e-commerce and other industries innovate and enhance the sustainability of their packaging using DS Smith’s proprietary Circular Design Metrics. The workshops, which are hosted at the company’s PackRight Centers in Reading, Pennsylvania, and Lebanon, Indiana, bring DS Smith’s designers and engineers together with customers to develop design solutions that boost packaging efficiency, effectiveness, appeal and sustainability. The new workshops are the first in the U.S. packaging and design space to employ advanced visual content platform solutions from leading French collaboration tech start-up Klaxoon. By combining creativity, strategic insights, and cutting-edge technology to streamline the design process, these collaborative sessions reduce the time, effort and expense required to create new packaging that addresses brands’ growing circularity needs. How it works: Developing insights for circular solutions Initial Audit: DS Smith’s new PackRight offering begins with an initial site visit and an audit of a customer’s present packaging supply chain. This supply chain audit provides essential insights for the path of innovation required for a redesign that can boost the value, efficiency and sustainability of a customer’s packaging. Collaboration and Brainstorming: Following the audit, DS Smith PackRight Center specialists conduct a workshop using digital collaboration tools to enhance brainstorming and teamwork between DS Smith and client teams. The platform combines whiteboard and videoconferencing features, allowing session leaders to drive interactive sessions with live questions, voting, word clouds, and additional tools to capture and report participant feedback. Rating and Comparing Circularity: During the Circular Design Metrics analysis in PackRight workshops, DS Smith’s designers and engineers help brands rate and compare the circularity of packaging designs across eight indicators: carbon footprint, design for reuse, supply chain optimization, recyclability, planet safety, material utilization, renewable source and recycled content. Rapid Prototyping and Review: Workshop leaders create rapid prototypes on demand using the PackRight Centers’ digital printing and cutting equipment, and then evaluate the performance of those prototypes on in-house testing equipment. High-end cameras quickly and accurately capture print samples for collaborative review and analysis. A proprietary DS Smith Value Tool analysis helps to quantify the benefits customers gain by calculating the total cost of ownership for packaging designs. #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry #ieee #ias #ppic