The best practice guide, 'Optimised Paper Handling and Logistics' will shortly be released in an Alpha version for open industry comment. The review process will ensure the final publication delivers a comprehensive and complete guide to best practices across the entire paper supply and process chain.
'Optimised Paper Handling and Logistics' is a unique international, cross-industry collaborative project across the supply chain — from the mill, through transport, storage, handling and press preparation — to produce a common, best practice tool and global reference for suppliers, transporters and printers to improve their economic and environmental efficiency. It covers paper for publishing and packaging applications for all major printing processes (offset, flexo, gravure, digital), using rolls and sheets of paper and board. The result will be an e-book of around 180 pages available at no cost to users.
The project was initiated by the International Centre for Manufacture by Print and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), joined by the European Rotogravure Association, Idealliance, and Nordic Offset Printers Association with companies that include ABP, Axel Springer, Bolzoni Auramo, Earthpac, GOSS, IF, KBA, LHG, Sonoco-Alcore, Stora Enso, Times Of India, UPM.
The purpose of the guide is to improve the economic and environmental performance across the supply chain from the paper maker through to the printer-converter.
Substrates are the highest single cost for all printing and packaging applications — any reduction in their waste and damage improves both economic and environmental performance. Paper is heavy, prone to transit and handling damage, and is very susceptible to changes in humidity and to absorbing residual odours such as traces of oil etc. A roll or pallet is handled 16 times from when it leaves the paper mill to when it is put on to the press. It is a demanding cargo with a high economical unit value, requiring specialised and correctly maintained techniques, tools and facilities for handling, logistics, storage and preparation for printing.
"A cross-industry manual reduces costs for an individual company, helps avoid confusion and duplication, simplifies training and supervision, and allows a better vision across the entire value chain that is increasing a global," said David J. Steinhardt, President & CEO of Idealliance that facilitates their Paper Transit Damage and papiNet Working Groups.
Modular Supply Chain Content
The project was launched in mid-2014. Key to the project is a collective approach requiring only a small industry-wide investment that will deliver cost effective international synergies to answer needs in both emerging and mature markets. The guide addresses the supply chain with seven modules: Overview Paper & Cores, Wrapping & Pallets; Damage Inspection & Diagnosis; Warehouse/Paper Store; Handling Equipment; Best Practice Roll & Pallet Handling; Transportation: Securing, Rail, Road, Sea, Containers; and Printer: Paper on to Press & Recycling.
Open Industry Review
"Around 50 people from 30 organisations have contributed their expertise, along with more than 20 publications that the guide has draw content from," said project manager-editor Nigel Wells from the International Centre for Manufacture by Print. "We believe that the Alpha version's content will be over 90 per cent complete but we want to take this to over 99 per cent and this can only be done by inviting members of the global industry to review, correct and complete the base that has been created."
www.wan-ifra.org
