August 2003.

Power factor improved by variable speed AC drives

By Mauri Peltola, ABB Oy, Drives

Would your mill benefit from power factor improvement? Variable speed drives help solve the power factor problem--while improving process control, saving electrical energy, and reducing machinery wear. This article explains how the input current to the variable speed AC drive can be lower than the output current, and gives some guidelines when compared with fixed speed applications or other speed control methods like DC drives.

Longer life drives growth in pharmaceutical packaging From Iggesund Paperboard AB

As healthcare improves around the world, people are living longer, and sales of medicines are increasing faster than average sales growth. In 2003, global drug sales are estimated to reach $US 435 billion, and annual growth is predicted at 9 percent in the years immediately ahead. Because paper and paperboard make up just over 35 percent of the packaging materials used for pharmaceutical products, this market represents tremendous potential. Innovative packaging can help drive this growth.

Appleton Papers' training turnaround By Jan Bottiglieri, Senior Editor

After making paper products for 93 years, Appleton Papers was facing tremendous pressure from new technologies that were rendering the company irrelevant. To some people, Appleton seemed certain to spend its final years just plodding along, churning out niche products like carbonless and thermal paper in an increasingly paperless society.

But in a business climate where companies must evolve or die, Appleton Papers evolved. This old-line company has shifted gears and established itself in a new marketplace. It was not easy for 2800 employees--most of them long-timers--to make changes, yet with a little creative training and offbeat motivational program called "Grow or Die" created in partnership with Paradigm Learning, Appleton Papers is headed in a new direction.

Additional original feature editorial is available on www.tappi.org. To access the following articles, go to www.tappi.org, click on the Solutions! link, then click on "Online Exclusives." In August, you can access the following features. To access Online Exclusives from previous issues, click on the "Online Exclusives Archives" link on the left hand bar.