Course Information
2 1/2 day course | Time: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
WMU Paper Pilot Plant held another successful WMU Fiber Recycling Course on June 4–6, 2024. There were numerous networking opportunities and a broad spectrum of attendees and contacts—making it great for both the veterans of the industry and those new to the industry wanting to see the entire process of fiber recycling. From brand perspectives, sustainability drivers, recyclable certifications, and legislation to the collection, MRF sorting, reprocessing, and papermaking, this course delivered a full view of the circular economy of fiber recycling. Please join us for this excellent course in 2025.
Learning objectives
- Recyclability Protocols and Product Labeling
- Recycled Fiber Global Markets Update
- Sustainability — Brand Owner Perspective
- Regulations and Market Drivers
- Collection and MRF Operations
- Paper Mill Operations
- Hands-on Fiber Recycling/Papermaking Option
- Speakers include: Industry Experts and WMU Faculty
Take a look at the information from 2024!
2024 COURSE SCHEDULE 2024 SPEAKER LINEUP
Networking opportunities
Networking opportunities include a dinner at the world-famous Bell's Eccentric Cafe and a happy hour in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo.
Who should attend
This course is designed for the newcomers to the paper recycling industry, as well as those with experience who wish to broaden and update their knowledge and understanding of the basics of recycled fiber collection, processing, use, and market drivers. This is a 2.5-day course held in Kalamazoo Michigan, on WMU's beautiful Engineering Campus.
2024 Speakers
Larry Anker
Director of Commercial Operations,
Solenis
Bret Biggers
Senior Economist,
ReMA
Susan Cornish
President,
Insight + Action
Michael Krawson
Business Development Specialist
Sustana
Sandeep Kulkarni
Founder and President,
KoolEarth Solutions, Inc.
Brad Kurzynowsk
Fiber Manager,
Sustainable Packaging Coalition
Kecheng Li
Professor and Department Chair,
WMU Paper Engineering
JD Lindeberg
Principal and President,
RRS
Michael Lopane
Applications Manager,
Kadant Black Clawson, LLC
Bill Moore
President,
Moore & Associates
Lon Pschigoda
General Manager,
WMU Paper Pilot Plant
Paul Schutes
President,
Recycled Paperboard Technical Association
Jason Wang
Research Scientist,
WMU Paper Pilot Plant
Alex Wolf
Senior Technical Director,
Van Dyk Recycling Solutions
Course speakers are subject to change.
Optional add-on course:
WMU Paper Pilot Plant Experience — Hands-on Fiber Recycling and Papermaking
Held on the last day of the course from noon–5 p.m.
Spend the afternoon with the WMU’s Paper Pilot Plant crew and see the processes firsthand. This includes fiber recycling operations (pulping, screening, cleaning), paper making on the newly installed dual fourdrinier pilot machine (the only one of its kind in North America), and time in our papermaking/paper testing labs. You will see a bale of recovered paper enter the process, the recovery of the fibers, and the production of recycled paper (forming, pressing, drying, calendering). Whether you are new to the industry, enjoy learning on your feet, or simply want to see our facilities operate, this will be time well spent. Space is limited.
Western Michigan University
A leader in the field of papermaking, coating and recycling research and applications as well as a leading provider of undergraduate and graduate engineers and scientists, is offering its fiber recycling course. WMU has certified hundreds of products as repulpable and recyclable using industry agreed-upon protocols. This course is exciting, offering from WMU that will bring together many industry and technology leaders as guest speakers to seriously upgrade your fiber recycling knowledge.
Sponsors
