You have 1 more viewing!

The 2019 Western Michigan University (WMU) Recycled Fiber Course once again brought together a very diverse group of attendees for great interaction and learning. Professionals from the US, Canada, South America, and Australia were in attendance, with backgrounds including fiber brokers/purchasers, packaging engineers, brand managers, and paper mill personnel. The course included ample networking time with our guest speakers and other attendees alike, highlighted by a dinner and tour at one of Kalamazoo’s microbreweries.

Speakers from the RPTA, ISRI, RRS, GreenBlue, WMU, BHS, Kadant, and Solenis treated this year’s course attendees to a wealth of knowledge and experience over the two and half days. This is a one of a kind course covering all aspects of the circular economy of fiber; including consumer behavior, collection, sortation, MRF operations, global fiber markets, and paper mill operations. Attendees rated the speakers and content very highly and came away from this breadth of technical content with many “a-ha” moments.  

The course was held on WMU’s beautiful engineering campus in Kalamazoo Michigan. The course finished up with an optional half day, hands on experience in WMU’s Pilot Plants, where attendees were able to see firsthand the process steps that take a bale of contaminated paper and turn it into reusable fiber. Attendees were able to see the pulper loaded, machine screen baskets opened, and make handsheets to view contamination of different types. This fiber was then run on the newly installed pilot paper machine, allowing attendees to see the continuous process of papermaking in person and in detail.  

Western Michigan University is 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. They have a variety of resources available including news updates and upcoming courses. You may also contact the General Manager Lon Pschigoda directly.