WMU Paper Pilot Plant

Fiber Recycling Course Schedule

2026 Schedule

Day 1: Tuesday, August 18

7:30 a.m.	Registration Open
8 a.m.	Intro/Safety/Logistics	Shawn Mortimore - WMU
8:15 a.m.	RPTA Overview, Consumer Insights	Paul Schutes—RPTA
9 a.m.	Sustainable Packaging: Are Consumers Buying It?	Susan Cornish - Insight + Action
10 a.m.	Break
10:15 a.m.	ISRI—Grade Structure and Material Characterization	Bret Biggers
11:15 a.m.	MRF I - History, Design & Challenges	JD Lindeberg - RRS
12:15 p.m.	Lunch—Intros
12:45 p.m.	What Happens Under the Roof at a MF	Mark Neitzey - VanDyk Recycling
1:45 p.m.	Journey Towards a Fully Recyclable Single-Use Cup	Sandeep Kulkarni - Kool Earth Solutions
2:30 p.m.	Break
3 p.m.	Legislation & Regulations Driving Sustainability	Bret Biggers
4 p.m.	MRFF - Evolving Stream Opportunities for Fiber Lines	Brad Kurzynowski - SPC
5 p.m.	Wrap Up
6 p.m.	Social Event and Dinner	Bell's Brewery

Day 2: Wednesday, August 19

8 a.m.	Day 1 Review and Day 2 Intro	Shawn Mortimore - WMU Pilot Plant
8:15 a.m.	Recovered Fiber Markets	Bill Moore - Moore & Associates
9:15 a.m	Paper Mill Operations I - Pulping	David Reimer - Kadant
10:30 a.m	Break
10:45 a.m	Paper Mill Operations II—Screening	David Reimer -Kadant
Noon	Lunch
12:30 p.m	Tour Pilot Plants, Paper and Print Labs
1:15 p.m	Sustainability - Mill Perspective	Mark Bond - Sustana Fiber
2:30 p.m	Break
2:45 p.m	Compostability Testing/Certification Overview	Jason Wang—WMU Pilot Plant
3:15 p.m	WMU Repulp/Recyclability Protocols	Shawn Mortimore - WMU Pilot Plant
4:15 p.m	Enzyme Improvement of Recycled Fibers	Kecheng Li/Jason Wang—WMU
5 p.m.	Wrap Up
6 p.m.	Social Hour 6-8 p.m.	TBD

Day 3: Thursday, August 20

8 a.m.	PTF/Paper Engineering Intro	Jen Johnson
8:45 a.m.	Paper Mill Operations III - Cleaning	David Reimer - Kadant
9:45 a.m.	Break
10 a.m.	Recycled Mill Chemistry I - Functional Chemistry	Larry Anker - Solenis
11 a.m.	Recycled Mill Chemistry II - Process Chemistry	Larry Anker - Solenis
Noon	Wrap-Up

Optional 1/2 day: Hands on Fiber Recycling and Papermaking

12:30 p.m.	Lunch and Plants Safety Review
1 p.m.	Pulping, Screening, Cleaning
2:30 p.m.	Handsheet Making
3:30 p.m.	Paper Machine Operation
4:30 p.m	Wrap Up