TissueFirst

2025 Ecolab Watermark™ Study Reveals Hidden Impact of Artificial Intelligence

Ecolab, a global sustainability leader offering water solutions and services, today announced findings from its third annual Ecolab Watermark™ Study, which reports on water stewardship around the world. This year’s research highlights water’s connection to timely global trends, including new business opportunities from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and consumer concern about its impact on vital natural resources.

François HENIN

ANTEX Asia 2025 opens in Bangkok – Strengthening knowledge, collaboration and market growth in nonwovens

The Asia Nonwovens Technology Expo (ANTEX Asia 2025) officially opens today at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Thailand, bringing together professionals from across the nonwovens industry for three days of learning and collaboration. Running through 31 October 2025, the Expo connects regional and international companies across materials, machinery and applications to exchange knowledge, explore new market opportunities, and advance the sector’s development in Southeast Asia.

Stephane RICHARD

Valmet enhances Sofidel America’s ultra-premium tissue production with new Advantage ThruAir line

Sofidel America will invest in a state-of-the-art Valmet tissue line to meet the growing demand of ultra-premium tissue products in the North American market. The new Advantage ThruAir tissue line will enable Sofidel America to significantly expand its production capacity of ultra-premium products for North American consumers.

François HENIN

TAPPI announces new President & CEO as longtime leader plans 2025 retirement

TAPPI, the leading association for the global pulp, paper, tissue, packaging, and converting industries, today announced the appointment of Lawton C. Roberts as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 3, 2025. Roberts will succeed Larry N. Montague, who is set to retire at the end of the year after 19 years of distinguished leadership.

Stephane RICHARD

The 27th TECNICELPA International Conference opened in Tomar this week

The Portuguese city of Tomar, known for its rich Templar heritage, is hosting this week the 27th TECNICELPA International Conference – Forest Biobased Materials, gathering professionals from the pulp, paper, forest and biorefinery sectors.

Stephane RICHARD

Juha Vanhainen joins the Board of Directors of Metsäliitto Cooperative

At its meeting on 23 October 2025, the Supervisory Board of Metsäliitto Cooperative, the parent company of Metsä Group, elected Juha Vanhainen as a new member of the Board of Directors as of 1 January 2026.

François HENIN

Buckman Laboratories International INC has earned a platinum medal

Buckman Laboratories International INC has earned a platinum medal, a recognition awarded to the Top 1% of companies assessed by EcoVadis in the 12 months prior to the medal issue date. It reflects the quality of the company's sustainability management system and demonstrates a commitment to promoting transparency throughout the value chain.

François HENIN

Save up to € 2 million per year in production costs: IBS Group announces maXX™ product line.

The IBS Paper Performance Group announces a new, unique product line under the name maXX™.

François HENIN

Sofidel further expands its production capacity in the United States

The Group announces a new investment for the installation of a 75,000 metric tons Valmet TAD paper machine, along with related converting lines.

François HENIN

Valmet delivers a new energy-efficient evaporation line to Altri in Portugal for mill conversion to dissolving pulp production

Valmet will deliver a new evaporation line to Altri Biotek mill in Portugal. This delivery is part of Altri’s EUR 75 million project to convert the Biotek mill to produce dissolving pulp for textile industry. The new evaporation line significantly improves the mill’s energy and water efficiency, meeting the needs of Altri’s mill expansion.

François HENIN

Get prepared for the 2026 International Paper Expo - China

Co-sponsored by the paper-making associations (or societies) of Guangdong, Shandong, Henan, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Hubei, Fujian, Jiangsu, Hebei, Shanxi, Yunnan, Hunan, etc.The 21st Guangzhou International Paper Industry Exhibition and Household Paper Exhibition, 2026，It will be held from May 13th to 15th at the Poly World Trade Expo in Pazhou, Guangzhou.

Stephane RICHARD

MEPCO to Showcase Regional Growth and Sustainability Leadership at ProPaper 2025

Middle East Paper Company (MEPCO), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading paper and packaging manufacturer and recycler, today announced its participation as Headline Sponsor of ProPaper 2025, the region’s premier paper industry event, taking place in Dubai from October 13–15, 2025.

François HENIN

Lucart signs an agreement to acquire control of Cartindustria Eurocarta, one of Europe’s leading independent converters in the professional hygiene market

François HENIN

ANTEX Asia 2025 to unite global nonwovens industry leaders at premier conference on growth and sustainability

The Asia Nonwovens Technology Expo (ANTEX Asia 2025), Southeast Asia’s only dedicated trade show for nonwovens materials, machinery, and finished products, will take place from 29-31 October 2025 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Thailand. Positioned in the heart of ASEAN’s manufacturing hub, this year’s edition will feature a premier international conference, bringing together global industry leaders to address global perspectives, regional investment outlooks, and sustainable development, offering actionable insights for businesses across the nonwovens value chain.

Stephane RICHARD

MIAC 2025 opened its doors in Lucca: The paper industry's premier event kicked off

The wait is over. MIAC 2025 officially opened its doors today, October 8, at the Lucca Fiere in Italy, welcoming paper industry professionals from around the world to its 29th edition. Over the next three days, this benchmark event will serve as the industry's most important meeting point for innovation, networking, and business development.

Stephane RICHARD

Fourstones commissions PM6 at Sapphire Mill, boosting UK tissue capacity with virgin and recycled grades

Fourstones Paper Mill has successfully commissioned its new paper machine, PM6, at the Sapphire Paper Mill site in Leslie, Scotland.

François HENIN

TAPPI announces Call for Speakers for TAPPICon® 2026

TAPPI is now accepting speaker abstracts for its flagship event, TAPPICon® 2026, April 26–29, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. Industry professionals are invited to share their expertise, research, case studies, and innovations by submitting abstracts no later than October 20, 2025.

Stephane RICHARD

Valmet’s quality control system to enhance performance at Metsä Tissue Mariestad mill in Sweden

Valmet will deliver a Quality Control System (QCS) to Metsä Tissue’s Mariestad mill in Sweden. The intelligent system will support the performance and ensure quality of the mill’s tissue machine PM 35.

François HENIN

ABB launches mill-wide optimization software for smarter, more resilient pulp production

ABB has introduced ABB Ability™ Plant Optimizer for Pulp Mills, a dynamic software solution that helps pulp producers bridge the gap between production planning and real-time operations. Designed specifically for the complex, interconnected nature of pulp production, the software enables mills to improve traceability, maintain operational stability and reduce production costs throughout the pulp mill.

Stephane RICHARD

Toscotec to implement advanced drying section rebuild at Papeterie le Bourray France

Toscotec will supply a complete rebuild of PM3’s drying section to Papeterie le Bourray mill in Saint-Mars-la-Brière, France. This marks a repeat order for Toscotec, following the successful PM4 rebuild in 2020 where a new headbox helped the mill achieve its target.

François HENIN

ANDRITZ to supply new recovery boiler to Century Pulp and Paper in India

ANDRITZ has been selected to supply a new recovery boiler for Century Pulp and Paper’s mill in Lalkuan, Uttarakhand, India. It will replace one of the existing recovery boilers, increasing the mill’s green energy production. Start-up is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

François HENIN

Sofidel France Modernizes Its Roanne Plant

The French subsidiary of the Italian group will invest €14 million in modernizing its Tissue Machine at its Roanne plant in France, which dates back to 1985. A new Yankee cylinder has already been delivered. This project will ensure the long-term viability of this site while reducing its carbon footprint by approximately 1,200 tons of CO2 per year. The installation of self-consumption photovoltaic panels is also planned.

François HENIN

ABB-driven research project EXPLAIN wins prestigious AI innovation award

ABB’s Corporate Research Centers in Germany and Sweden have been awarded the prestigious ITEA Award of Excellence 2025 in the Innovation category at a ceremony in Portugal on 16th of September 2025. The award recognizes the international EU-funded research project EXPLAIN, in which ABB collaborated with partners from three countries to develop pioneering methods aimed at making artificial intelligence (AI) transparent, reliable, and understandable for end users in process industries.

François HENIN

SOFIDEL awarded the ECOVADIS ESG rating Platinum Medal for its commitment to sustainability

The tissue paper manufacturing group achieves the highest recognition in the EcoVadis ESG rating, ranking in the top 1% of companies with the highest scores in the global EcoVadis database, confirming its work in the areas of Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

François HENIN