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.	2026, Pivoting to a new phase of paperization	Paul Schutes—RPTA
9:00 a.m.	ISRI—Grade Structure and Material Characterization	Bret Biggers
10 a.m.	Break
10:15 a.m.	MRF I - History, Design & Future Opportunities	Matt Todd - RRS
11:15 a.m.	Paper Challenges	Scott Huffer - Toppan Pkg
12:00 p.m.	Lunch—Intros
12:30 p.m.	MRF II - What Happens Under the Roof	Mark Neitzey - VanDyk Recycling
1:30 p.m.	Designing Paper Packaging for Recycling	Sandeep Kulkarni - Kool Earth Solutions
2:15 p.m.	Break
2:30 p.m.	Legislation & Regulations Driving Sustainability	Bret Biggers
3:15 p.m.	EPR	Susan Cornish - Insight + Action
4 p.m.	Overcoming Recyclability Challenges for Innovate Paper Packing Formats	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 & Detrashing	David Reimer - Kadant
10:30 a.m	Break
10:45 a.m	Paper Mill Operations II - Screening	Steven Johnson -Kadant
11:45 a.m.	Lunch
12:15 p.m	Tour Pilot Plants, Paper and Print Labs
12:45 p.m	Mill Perspective - Clean Materials Within	Michael Krawson - Sustana Fiber
2:00 p.m	Enzyme Improvement of Recycled Fibers	Jason Wang—WMU Pilot Plant
2:45 p.m.	Break
3:00 p.m	WMU Repulp/Recyclability Protocols	Shawn Mortimore - WMU Pilot Plant
3:45 p.m	Compostability Testing/Certification Overview	Jason Wang - WMU
4:30 p.m.	Wrap Up & Networking
6 p.m.	Social Hour 6-8 p.m.	TBD

Day 3: Thursday, August 20

8:00 a.m.	Day 2 Review and Day 3 Intro	Shawn Mortimore - WMU Paper Pilot Plant
8:15 a.m.	Paper Mill Operations III - Cleaning and Reject Handling	Drew Kinsel - Kadant
9:30 a.m.	Recycled Mill Chemistry I - Functional Chemistry	Larry Anker - Solenis
10:30 a.m.	Break
10:45 a.m.	PTF / Paper Engineering Intro	Jen Johnson - WMU PTF
10:00 a.m.	Recycled Mill Chemistry II - Process Chemistry	Larry Anker - Solenis
12:00 p.m.	Wrap-Up & Networking

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

12:00 p.m.	Lunch and Plants Safety Review
12:30 p.m.	Pulping, Screening, Cleaning
2:00 p.m.	Handsheet Making
3:00 p.m.	Paper Machine Operation
4:00 p.m	Wrap Up