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News:
Potsdam paper credits NYSERDA for helping 100-year-old facility achieve 21st-century energy performance
January 10, 2013 – Potsdam Specialty Paper operates a century-old paper mill along the North Country’s Raquette River, producing specialized products such as base materials for wallpapers and tapes, papers used in medical settings, and paper used in industry for things like drywall corner bead. They’re recognized as the worldwide leader in papers for applications that require high wet strength
For 10 years, Potsdam has participated in NYSERDA’s FlexTech Program, notching up some truly impressive results.
Mark Decker, NYSERDA project manager, summarized those results in terms every business understands. “Our FlexTech study identified nearly eight million kilowatt-hours’ worth of electric energy savings, as well as 400,000 therms of natural gas savings. That equates to hundreds of thousands of dollars of annual cost savings for them.”
The FlexTech Program aims to increase the productivity and economic competitiveness of participating facilities by encouraging implementation of cost-effective energy-efficiency projects, using technical evaluations, process improvement analysis, energy master plans, peak load curtailment plans, combined heat and power projects and retro-commissioning—a systematic process to ensure all building systems perform interactively according to design intent.
“The biggest benefit of working with NYSERDA has been their willingness to come into our facility, help us understand where we’re trying to go with the business, help us uncover some opportunities in our facility, and provide us with that technical support—plus the funding to help us execute on projects that may not otherwise be possible for our company,” explained Doug Drumm, Potsdam’s engineering manager.
Industrial facilities and processes require customized approaches to energy efficiency, as production lines and processes often have unique characteristics and functions. NYSERDA’s Industrial and Process Efficiency Analyses focus on defining and reducing energy use per unit of production, which often improves environmental performance and minimizes waste as well.
In a 2010 story, North Country Now reporter Craig Freilich described Potsdam Specialty Paper’s green technology approach as “comprehensive... encompassing world-class waste water treatment, renewable energy strategies using hydro and biomass gasification, energy-efficiency programs for power and lighting optimization, and working with industrial waste providers to utilize scrap industrial waste in many of the products.” The mill consults with Nobel Prize winner Robert Mundell to guide them in developing more environmentally friendly operating methods.
“NYSERDA has been instrumental in helping us identify a number of energy-reduction projects that we’ve been able to execute,” Drumm said. Potsdam has already installed a regenerative brake and a number of boiler upgrades, producing over $100,000 worth of annual energy savings to date.
“NYSERDA’s played a role in Potsdam’s success by helping us reduce or control our energy costs, which at the end of the day is making us a more competitive company,” said Drumm.
Click here to view article on NYSERDA's website.
President of Potsdam Specialty Paper, Inc. (PSPI) Awarded Minority Manufacturer of the Year
August 11, 2010 – Mr. Kenny Weiqun Zhang, PSPI Chairman and President, received the Minority Manufacturer of the Year award at the 28th Annual MED (Minority Enterprise Development) Week Celebration in New York City on July 21, 2010. New York MED Week is a celebration of the contributions made by minority enterprises and a chance to recognize and honor accomplished minority business owners and advocates throughout the country. The NY MED Week Committee is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency.
The criteria for receiving the award is based on the total revenue, number of employees, innovative techniques utilized and the results achieved, challenges overcome (technical, commercial, competitive or societal), and economic, environmental or societal contributions.
Mr. Kenny Weiqun Zhang is a graduate of the South China University of Technology majoring in chemistry. Zhang came to Clemson University, SC in March 1987 to carry out scientific research. In 1994, Zhang founded Coastline International. He is currently the President of Potsdam Specialty Paper, Inc.
Left to Right: Ron Charette, PSPI General Manager;Heyward Davenport, United States Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, Northeast Regional Director; Kenny Zhang, PSPI President
The SmartWood Program of the 
Rainforest Alliance has certified
Potsdam Specialty Paper, Inc (PSPI) as an FSC Chain of Custody Company, committed to sound forest stewardship.
PRLog (Press Release)- April 5, 2010- Click to view Full Release
What is FSC?
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world's forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally viable way. Landowners and companies that sell timber or forest products seek certification as a way to verify to consumers that they have practiced forestry consistent with FSC standards. For more information, visit FSC's website.
How does FSC work?
Independent certification organizations are accredited by FSC to carry out assessments of forest management to determine if standards have been met. These certifiers also verify that companies claiming to sell FSC-certified products have tracked their supply back to FSC-certified sources. This chain-of-custody certification assures that consumers can trust the FSC label.
The Paper Market
The US is the largest market for paper products in the world, producing 90 million tons of paper annually and, in-turn, consuming about 100 million tons. Despite improved technologies for refining post consumer recycled pulp, virgin fiber is still a significant requirement, as only 35% of current consumption is met by using recycled fiber. Roughly 25% by volume of timber cut annually in the US is used for paper production. The FSC certification system allows paper manufactures to know they are doing the right thing. Any product made of pulp or paper has the potential to be certified as long as the wood used in the product originates from FSC-certified sources. Julst like other forest products, in order to use the FSC logo as an "environmental claim" on paper, the product must have flowed through the FSC "chain-of-custody" from the FSC-certified forest, to paper manufacturer, merchant and finally printer who all have FSC chain-of-custody certification.
SmartWood is a program of the Rainforest Alliance, which works to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.
Trees Planted in Honor of PSPI for Energy Conservation
POTSDAM, NY (June 7, 2010) - The Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc. (ECS) has honored PSPI for participating in the ECS PowerPay! demand response program by planting 10 native pine, fir and cedar trees in the Plumas National Forest in honor of PSPI's participation with this program. The PowerPay! program is an energy conservation program that focuses on reduction of energy during high times of electric demand.
Nobel Laureate Robert Mundell Joins PSPI Advisory Board for 'Green' Manufacturing
Potsdam Specialty Paper Inc. (PSPI), a global specialty paper manufacturer and distributor applying comprehensive "green" manufacturing technology in the specialty paper industry, is very pleased to announce that Professor Robert A. Mundell of Columbia University has accepted an invitation to join the company's Advisory Board of Directors.
POTSDAM, NY - The paper industry needs to be a proactive steward of the environment; Potsdam Specialty Paper is making green manufacturing technology a hallmark of their expansion as a global specialty paper manufacturer, and will be a recognized industry leader for applying a comprehensive environmental stewardship manufacturing strategy to their global business portfolio.
Potsdam Specialty Paper Inc. (http://www.pspi.us.com) General Manager Ron Charette stated, "We are delighted with the appointment of Professor Mundell, he is a visionary strategic leader, with experience and a passionate interest in environmental stewardship and green technology which will be of tremendous value to both PSPI and our global enterprise."
Potsdam Specialty Paper will apply best-of-breed technology from its US specialty paper production operation to its future acquisition of China based manufacturing plants. Most interesting to the Board Advisor, Potsdam Specialty Paper's comprehensive green technology approach encompasses world class waste water treatment, renewable energy strategies using hydro and biomass gasification, energy efficiency programs for power and lighting optimization, and working with industrial waste providers to utilize scrap industrial waste in many of the products.
The Board of advisors believes that Potsdam Specialty Paper's ability to apply the world-class expertise of its Potsdam, NY-based production operations to its Chinese affiliates will make it a long-term leader in the specialty paper industry. "I am sure the company is a fine one, and will be a winner. I am glad to be a part of that leadership as an Advisory Board member," said Professor Mundell.
About Potsdam Specialty Paper:
With a foundation of over $40 million in capital investment and $30 million in R&D, PSPI will apply its best-of-breed green technology platform in Potsdam, NY to paper mill acquisitions in China. This will establish a new industry benchmark in China for environmental stewardship which will have a lasting impact on the environment. PSPI will continue to be a global leader in specialty paper production technology and a benchmark for comprehensive green technology and environmental stewardship.
About Professor Robert A. Mundell Columbia University:
Professor Mundell is a 1999 Nobel Laureate in Economics, a globally respected economist that has been advisor to a number of International Agencies and Organizations including the United Nations, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Commission, and several Fortune 500 companies.
Resources:
How to convert English / Metric measurements:
| Known Measurement | Conversion Factor | Will Equal This (approximate) |
| Inches | X 25.4 | Millimeters |
| Inches | X 2.54 | Centimeters |
| Feet | X 30.48 | Centimeters |
| Yards | X 0.9144 | Meters |
| Millimeters | X 0.03937 | Inches |
| Centimeters | X 0.3937 | Inches |
| Centimeters | X 0.0328 | Feet |
| Meters | X 1.0936 | Yards |
| Square Inches / in2 | X 6.4516 | Square Centimeters / cm2 |
| Square Feet / ft2 | X 0.0929 | Square Meters / m2 |
| Square Yards / yd2 | X 0.8361 | Square Meters / m2 |
| Square Centimeters / cm2 | X 0.1550 | Square Inches / in2 |
| Square Meters / m2 | X 10.7639 | Square Feet / ft2 |
| Square Meters / m2 | X 1.1960 | Square Yards / yd2 |
| Pounds | X 0.4536 | Kilograms |
| Short Tons | X 0.9072 | Metric Tons |
| Kilograms | X 2.2046 | Pounds |
| Metric Tons | X 1.1023 | Short Tons |
To learn more about the ISO 9000 family of standards, we encourage you to visit their website. To PSPI, our ISO9001 certification provides that extra assurance to our customers that they can count on our ability to consistently meet their expectations and receive the quality products they deserve.
This certification assures that PSPI products meet the specific performance requirements and test methods for sterilization as outlined by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN; Brussels). For more information on CEN and EN 868, please visit their website.
GMP refers to the Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations promulgated by the US Food and Drug Administration under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (See Chapter V, Subchapters A, B, C, D, and E for drugs and devices.)
These regulations, which have the force of law, require that manufacturers, processors, and packagers of drugs, medical devices, some food, and blood take proactive steps to ensure that their products are safe, pure, and effective.
Q&A:
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