PAPER RECYCLING CONFERENCE: Record Crowd Takes Part in Annual Program

A record crowd of more than 550 attendees was able to hear some of the latest news, trends and information on the paper recycling industry from a list of top executives from experts in all facets of the paper industry during the recently concluded Paper Recycling Conference & Trade Show, June 26-28 in Atlanta.

(Over the next several days there will be a number of news items from the show. Make sure to check back to see what took place at the show).

Reflecting the growing importance of the show for paper recyclers, the American Forest and Paper Association and the Paper Stock Industries Chapter of ISRI, both held meetings during the three-day program where they had the opportunity to discuss recycling-related issues.

The level of attendees and commitment has grown, with top officials from many of the largest paper and paper recycling companies in the United States, as well as Europe and Asia, in attendance.

The level of speakers also has grown since the conference first began. For the keynote, one of the most sought-after companies, Nine Dragons Mill, a top paper company in China, was there to give an observation on the Chinese paper market. In his detailed presentation, Ming Chun Liu stressed that the Chinese market will continue to play a major role in the manufacturing industry as the country modernizes its economy.

Other sessions that were touched on during the three-day program included the growing role of the document destruction business on the paper recycling industry, the impact China is having on paper markets, trends in procurement policies, getting the specifications for recovered fiber correct, and, from the mill perspective, some of the contamination problems that are dealt with on a daily basis.

While the sessions continue to become a major focus point for attendees, the show also made sure there were plenty of opportunities to network with clients and customers, both old and new.

During receptions in the packed exhibit hall equipment suppliers, recyclers, and mills were able to discuss some of the market opportunities available.

While focusing on the business end of the show, many of the exhibitors contacted noted that there business continues to flourish as markets for many grades of recovered fiber have continued to hold up fairly well.