Read the July 15th, 2026 Green Bay Innovation Group Newsletter here.
July 15th, 2026 Newsletter
Author: admin
Green Bay Innovation Group: Asia Pulp and Paper Seminar – August 11th, Green Bay
The Green Bay Innovation Group Foundation will kick off our Season with an overview of Asia Pulp and Paper, an Indonesian pulp and paper company, the largest in the world. We welcome three presenters to this seminar.
Jeffrey D. Lindsay
Jeffrey D. Lindsay is the former Head of IP at Asia Pulp and Paper (China), former Director at Innovationedge, and associate professor at the Institute of Paper Science and Technology.
Pat Chen
Pat Chen is the former Global R & D Head for Asia Pulp and Paper’s tissue business. In this role, for over 10 years, he oversaw the development and quality control of Asia’s most respected tissue brands, QingFeng (Breeze). He trained scientists in key areas of R & D.
Brit Swisher
Brit Swisher, Area Vice President – Northern Region of Midland Paper, Packaging +Supplies, will present
an overview of the U.S. Paper and Pulp Industry. Midland is one of the nation’s largest independent paper and packaging distributors.
In over the past 20 years, China has become the world leader in Paper and Pulp Manufacturing, and the speakers will educate us on their success story!
- Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Date: Tuesday, Aug. 11
- Place: Urban Hub 340 N. Broadway Green Bay
- Lunch: Provided
- Cost: $60.00
China’s Paper Industry
The U.S. paper and pulp industry is not disappearing, but it has declined over the past two decades compared with China and other global competitors. The industry has consolidated, and mills have closed. Wisconsin was once a global center of innovation and production, but today its paper and pulp industries face major challenges that must be addressed at the state and national levels to support this once-dominant manufacturing sector in northern Wisconsin. The forestry industry is severely distressed affected by the closure of more than twenty-five facilities. Still, Wisconsin’s specialty paper, tissue, towel, label, and packaging sectors remain bright spots in paper manufacturing. Today, paper and pulp manufacturing employs about 7,800 people in Wisconsin, down from more than 40,000 in the early 1970s. Wisconsin can learn from China’s support for its paper and pulp industries, which helped China become a world leader.
Why China Grew So Fast and the Key Reasons include:
- The Chinese government identified paper and packaging as strategic industries and supported growth.
- Massive government support and domestic demand with reduced corporate tax rates, accelerated depreciation, export-related tax benefits, and industrial parks infrastructure:
- Lower manufacturing costs
- Low-cost financing for the mills
- Industrial development policies
- Infrastructure Investments in ports, transportation, and logistics
- Explosive Manufacturing Growth
- China’s export economy created strong domestic and international demand for corrugated boxes, packaging papers, tissue and household products, and specialty papers, driven by e-commerce.
- The focus is on Large-Scale Modern Paper Mills with closing down small mills. China built new, highly efficient mills with lower production costs. New facilities operate as scales much larger than the older North American mills.
- Chinese companies invested in pulp capacity and fiber supply chains in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, Canada, plus inside of China planting billions of trees.
- Investments in Engineering Education, Technical Training, Manufacturing Skills Development, and University Industry Partnerships.
Why U.S. Industry Declines
- The decline is primarily in printing and writing paper grades.
- U.S. Paperboard has fallen 30% since 2000’s.
- Aging mill infrastructure especially in Wisconsin
- Higher labor costs compared with international competitors.
- The demand and requirements from the DNR and environmental compliance will prevent any additional investments in the State of Wisconsin
- Competition from lower-cost global producers with limited environmental restrictions and not complying with verifying their source for pulp. The US Pulp Manufacturing Companies are required to comply!
If Wisconsin is to survive, we will need to focus on the following:
- Advanced Packaging Technologies
- Sustainable fiber products
- Molded fiber replacing plastics.
- The development of new coating technologies
- Specialty Paper Products
- Established Tissue, Towels, and Hygiene Products manufacturers
- Automating and upgrading existing facilities
- Abundant forest resource
- Education with Universities and Technical Colleges
- A skilled and experienced workforce
- Manufacturing supporting industries experience in the paper and pulp industries
- A large Packaging Industry
- A large Converting Industry
- A large Printing Industry including Flexible Packaging, Label, and the Board Industry
- A large Food Manufacturing Industry
Rather than trying to compete directly with China, Asia, and Europe, Wisconsin current advantage is high-value packaging, converting, printing, and specialty paper products.
July 8th, 2026 Newsletter
Read the July 8th, 2026 Green Bay Innovation Group Newsletter here.
GBIG NEWS | 92 Stories and Links on the Internet 7/8/2026
GBIG News
Get links to the latest news, events, stories, and interviews from our 5P news members. Our goal is to remind the decision-makers in Wisconsin of the importance of our industry both historically, and more importantly, into the future.
Read the latest 92 Stories and Links on the Internet below.
Events
- Register for Appvion thermal school
- Great Lakes Logging & Equipment Expo September 10 & 11 in Green Bay
- UW Stout: Make48 continues its 2026 where innovation takes center stage
- University Wisconsin Wi Drives events
- Breakfast Briefing Series: Pay Transparency 2.0: Navigating Pay Equity, AI Disclosure & the Next Wave of Compliance
Featured Stories
- MIT initiative for New Manufacturing builds momentum
- APC Wisconsin highlights recycle ready packaging innovations
- Folding cartons future food chain who rules when short runs dominate
- Flexible packaging market to hit USD $320.57 billion
- Inland Label & Marketing – Neenah joins DNR’S Green Tier Program
- 42 year study tracks how forever chemicals move through the Great Lakes
- True North Collective Monona, WI study confirms bio-based materials offer lower climate footprint
- Federal science agencies facing a generational loss under Trump
- US label market forecast reach $232 billion
- Megatrends poised to reshape North American Packaging Market
- Top 20 Graphic Design Trends For 2026
- Resetting costs competitiveness in Pulp and Paper Packaging
- Tom Boldt retires after 3 decades as CEO Board Chairman of Boldt
- Brady Corporation names Vineet Nargolwala CEO
- UW Stout polytechnic wins international taga student choice award
- Belmark Inc. breaks ground on new Family Center in De Pere
- Pulp and Paper giant APRIL adds major deforesters as suppliers
- MIT initiative for new manufacturing builds momentum
- 10 Best Places to Retire in the Great Lakes – Ashland and Sheboygan, WI one and two
- Circulate products and materials
- Georgia-Pacific receives recognition for its industrial safety and innovation initiatives
- Placon celebrates 60 years of packaging innovation in Madison
- Utah and 16 other states challenge California’s strict plastics Recycling Law
- WTCS celebrates Aspen prize finalist Chippewa Valley Technical College Wisconsin
- 17 States sue to block California’s sweeping plastics law
- Producer deadlines approach as epr lawsuits loom
AI
- How ai is Changing the Needs and Value of Finance Leaders and Their Teams
- Stanford merges ai & data center
- Real-world evidence shows generative AI is making human creative output more uniform
- 8 lessons from ai leaders in the printing industry
- Managers are struggling to keep up with ai productivity boom
- ai workforce is more productive less social interaction
Packaging
- Corrugated packaging market growth study innovative technology forecast to 2031
- Lavazza coffee pods no packaging
- Flexible plastic packaging market worth $281.20 billion by 2031
- Packaging containerboard market set for strong growth
- epr threat how new packaging could devastate produce margins
- Bio based packaging goes mainstream
- Dairy packaging trends sustainability automation and smart machinery
- Why production lines will define next stage in corrugated growth
- Total US packaging papers and specialty packaging shipments increased 12% in May 2026
PFAS
- State bans on pfas have made a difference
- Forever chemicals could affect children for generations
- 5 ways to reduce everyday exposure to ‘forever chemicals ‘
- pfas bans Massachusetts legistators forever chemicals in food packaging
- PFAS were added to pizza box for decades because of a carbon-fluorine bond
- pfas levels drop by more than 90% in Carolina
- Scientists just found a hidden weakness in forever chemicals
- pfas behavior in the environment
- pfas in dairy farming
Printing
- New Google Al Can Turn Low-Res Images To High Res With Incredible Results
- Finat releases half-yearly market trends report having Supply Chain Issues
- Ries Graphics -Wholesale Magazine & Periodical Printer in Wisconsin
- Five Signs Those Anti-Paper Studies May Be Bogus…And How to Spot Them
- Using Print to Reach Younger Consumers
- Digital Printing BOOM
Members
- Appvion: How We Innovate
- Ingredion strikes a deal to buy Taye Lyle for $3.6 billion
- Ahlstrom advances renewal gas agenda
- Boldt: UW Stout polytechnic construction camp introduces young students to careers
- Pixelle commitment to sustainability
- JP Morgan: Eye on the Market
- Ahlstrom Rhinelander mill awards scholarship to local seniors
- Fytertech announces acquisition of Spikleen to further strengthen local service to Canadian market
- Ahlstrom continues to support Unicef’s education work collective impact
Heat Technologies Inc. Named Technology of the Year Finalist at the ARC Annual Conference!
We are thrilled to share some exciting news – at recent International Association of Roll Converters (ARC) Annual Conference in Cleveland, Heat Technologies Inc. was officially named Technology of the Year Finalist in the field of drying and curing for the converting industry.
This award certificate recognizes HTI’s recent breakthrough advancements in the drying and curing of diverse coatings, alongside our proven track record of driving significant operational improvements for converting equipment.
A Milestone at the Industry’s Premier Event
The ARC Annual Conference is widely regarded as the most important event of the year for the global converting industry. This year’s event was a resounding success, bringing together 350 industry leaders and professionals for three days of intense learning, networking, and innovation.
What makes this conference the pinnacle of the converting calendar is its unique, dual-impact format:
- A Wealth of Knowledge: Three full days packed with cutting-edge educational presentations covering every operational aspect of the industry.
- The Tabletop Expo: A bustling marketplace where converters get a first-hand look at the latest technological breakthroughs and next-generation solutions across various industry segments.
Why This Recognition Matters
In an industry where production efficiency, quality, precision, and energy savings are paramount, HTI’s drying and curing solutions stood out above the rest. By helping converters optimize their coating processes and maximize equipment uptime, we are proud to push the boundaries of what’s possible in web processing.
Receiving this recognition from our peers at the most critical industry event of the year is a testament to our team’s dedication to innovation. We are incredibly grateful to the ARC and to our amazing partners and customers who inspire us to keep transforming the converting landscape.
Thank you to everyone who visited us in Cleveland, and to the ARC for an unforgettable week!
Want to learn more about how our ultrasonic drying and curing technology can optimize your operations? Push this green button below!
Make48 Regional Playoff at UW-Stout
Make48 is coming to UW-Stout from July 31-Aug. 2 for the final Regional Playoff event of Season 10. Make48 is a fast-paced invention competition where teams have just 48 hours to come up with an idea, build a working prototype, and pitch it to judges, all based on a real-world challenge from a sponsoring company.
The event will take place at the UW-Stout Fab Lab. A social will be held from 3-5 pm on Saturday, Aug. 1. Meet with the teams and network with others. Drinks and hors d-oeuvres will be served. Registration is required.
M3 Releases 2026 Momentum Report Highlighting Employer Action Amid Rising Healthcare Costs
MADISON, WI – M3 Insurance has released the 2026 edition of Momentum: An M3 Employee Benefits Trend Report, offering employers a data-driven look at the forces shaping healthcare spend and the strategies gaining traction as organizations prepare for 2027 and beyond.
For more than two decades, M3’s annual employee benefits trend report has helped employers understand the changing benefits landscape. The 2026 Momentum report continues that evolution, moving beyond traditional benchmarking to examine what is driving cost increases, how employers are responding, and where the market is headed.
The report shows employers are spending an average of $17,042 per employee annually on healthcare, with year-over-year increases averaging 7.46%. While that represents moderation from the prior year, costs remain elevated and continue to place pressure on employers and their workforce.
“The employers seeing the best results today aren’t waiting for healthcare costs to improve on their own,” said Brian Meyer, Director of Analytics and Underwriting and Partner at M3. “They’re using data to understand what’s driving spend, challenging traditional assumptions, and building multi-year strategies that position them for long-term success. That’s the momentum we’re seeing in the market.”
Key themes in the 2026 report include:
- Employer action to address rising healthcare costs through more intentional, data-backed benefits strategies
- Growing use of predictive analytics and data-driven point solutions
- Increased focus on high-performance networks, direct contracting, variable copay plans, and advanced care navigation
- Continued pressure from pharmacy trend, including specialty drugs, GLP-1 medications, gene therapies, and biosimilars
- Rising interest in alternative funding strategies, including captives, as the stop-loss market hardens
The full report is now available.
About M3
M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work. For more information on M3, visit www.m3ins.com.
Meet Jeff Novak at Voorwood Precision Machine
Jeff Novak has served as a Territory Sales Manager with Voorwood since 2015, helping manufacturers identify the right converting machinery solutions to improve productivity, efficiency, and product quality. Originally from the Midwest, Jeff maintains strong family ties to the Rice Lake and Amery, Wisconsin area and is known for his consultative, customer-focused approach to building long-term relationships.
Voorwood is an employee-owned American manufacturer that has proudly served the packaging and converting industries since 1961. From its manufacturing facility in Anderson, California, Voorwood designs, builds, and supports precision converting equipment, including:
Voorwood machinery is used in a wide variety of converting applications involving paper, film, foil, tape, labels, plastic films, flexible packaging, and many other specialty materials. Every machine is engineered with precision and can be customized to meet each customer’s specific production requirements.
Beyond equipment manufacturing, Voorwood provides comprehensive customer support, including application engineering, operator training, replacement parts, technical assistance, and ongoing service to help customers maximize the performance and longevity of their equipment.
With more than 60 years of industry experience, Voorwood has earned a reputation for quality craftsmanship, engineering innovation, and exceptional customer service. The company’s commitment is to deliver reliable converting solutions that help manufacturers increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and produce superior products.
If you’re evaluating new converting equipment or looking to improve your current manufacturing process, contact Jeff Novak at Voorwood to discuss your application and discover a solution tailored to your production needs.
Quad Plus: Comparing Legacy Systems vs. Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement
Manufacturers rely on accurate weight measurement to maintain product quality, reduce waste, and improve process control. For years, many facilities used nuclear or radiometric gauging systems to monitor material weight. While these systems provided valuable data, they also created operational challenges that are becoming harder to justify.
Today, ultrasonic weight measurement offers a modern alternative. By eliminating radioactive sources and providing high-resolution measurements, ultrasonic technology helps manufacturers improve reliability while reducing long-term costs.
The Limitations of Legacy Gauging Systems
Traditional gauging systems often use radioactive sources to measure material weight. While effective, these systems come with ongoing responsibilities and expenses.
Common challenges include:
- Regulatory compliance and licensing requirements
- Special handling and storage procedures
- Periodic inspections and documentation
- Costs associated with source replacement
- Additional safety training for personnel
As equipment ages, maintenance can become more difficult. Replacement parts may be harder to obtain, and older systems may not provide the level of measurement accuracy required by modern manufacturing processes.
For many manufacturers, these limitations have created interest in alternative non-destructive testing methods. These technologies provide the same measurement capabilities without the operational burden of radioactive materials.
Why Ultrasonic Weight Measurement Is Gaining Adoption
Ultrasonic weight measurement uses high-frequency sound waves to determine material weight. Because the technology measures weight without damaging the product, it has become a valuable tool for industrial non-destructive testing applications.
One of the primary advantages of ultrasonic testing is its ability to provide accurate measurements without requiring radioactive sources. This simplifies compliance requirements while improving workplace safety.
Modern ultrasonic weight measurement systems also offer several performance benefits:
- High measurement accuracy and repeatability
- Continuous real-time monitoring
- Greater insight into weight variation across the production line
- Reduced maintenance requirements
- Faster response to product variations
Faster measurement updates allow operators to identify weight variations sooner. This helps prevent excessive scrap and supports tighter process control.
Many manufacturers are also replacing aging gauges with integrated ultrasonic weight measurement tool platforms that support automated quality control and production optimization.
Operational Benefits Beyond Weight Measurement
The benefits of ultrasonic technology extend beyond measurement accuracy alone. When combined with modern process control strategies and advanced web gauging systems, ultrasonic technology can help manufacturers:
- Reduce material waste
- Improve product consistency
- Detect process variations earlier
- Lower maintenance costs
- Increase overall equipment reliability
These advantages make ultrasonic measurement an attractive option for facilities upgrading legacy gauging systems. Manufacturers can improve performance without adding regulatory complexity.
As manufacturers continue to reduce regulatory burden while improving process performance, ultrasonic weight measurement is becoming a preferred solution for many weight-monitoring applications.
Future-Proofing Measurement Systems
Many manufacturers are delaying major equipment upgrades due to budget constraints and production demands. However, aging measurement systems can create risks beyond maintenance costs. Obsolete components and limited vendor support can make it difficult to maintain consistent product quality. Upgrading to ultrasonic weight measurement allows facilities to modernize a critical quality control function without a complete process overhaul.
For facilities evaluating aging equipment, the decision often involves more than just replacing a measurement device. It is an opportunity to improve process visibility and support data-driven manufacturing initiatives. These improvements can also help position operations for future production demands.
To learn more about ultrasonic weight measurement and modern gauging technologies, contact Adam Kahler at akahler@quadplus.com or call (815) 210-9885.
