THE COVER
From consolidation and closures to capital constraint and cost cutting, the North American industry used a variety of tactics to weather a stormy 2002, and predictions for at least the first part of 2003 look similarly turbulent. See the full story.

Cover design by Pulp & Paper Art Director Chesare S. Horton

Articles

Outlook 2003
Weakness in global pulp markets and low U.S. economic growth could delay a recovery for the North American paper industry this year. To maintain paper prices, mills will try to control inventories.

• Market pulp - Producers hope for bounce back from tough 2002
• Recovered paper - U.S. consumption declines, exports grow
• Newsprint - No recovery until mid-year
• Printing and writing papers - Strong recovery unlikely this year
• Boxboard - No significant gains for cartonboard
• Containerboard - Linerboard markets stable, but box demand soft
• U.S. Capacity - North American paper industry is downsizing

Capital Spending
The trend toward conservative spending for capital projects continues as North American pulp and paper companies focus on reducing high-cost capacity and offsetting weak economic conditions. Spending for new paper machines has dropped dramatically, with rebuilds now receiving the most funding among U.S. and Canadian projects.

MSP Grades Gain Momentum
A report on metering size press (MSP) technology shows how these grades offer low production costs through use of less-expensive furnishes and online processes. MSP grades are especially applicable in offset printing applications, but it can take up to two years to develop the right coating formulation to achieve quality and runnability targets.

Closing the Loop on Brightness at Blandin Paper
Installation of a model-based adaptive controller at Blandin Paper Co. in Grand Rapids, Minn., has allowed the mill to move from open loop control of pulp brightness to a more precise closed loop control. The controller has helped reduce variability in brightness for the mill's groundwood pulp, as well as the overuse of costly chemicals.

Grade Profile

Kraft linerboard pricing picks up slightly, but box business is slow

Month in Statistics

U.S. paper and paperboard production data for September

Columns

		From the Editors Out of the mouths of printers By Monica Shaw				Information Technology Simplify business before deploying it By Mike O'Leary
		Safety Management A basic review of energy isolation By Pamela J. Cordier				Maintenance Improvement initiatives need commitment By Christer Idhammar
		Comment Weyerhaeuser's next steps By Steven R. Rogel