A hub of paperboard and folding carton knowledge, PPC offered a variety of educational resources throughout 2015. In addition to the association’s substantial portfolio of annual data benchmarking reports, participating members also received three new reports in 2015: the Machine Hour Ratio Report, Industry Employee Demographics, and a Waste Survey Report. The association produced webinars on Extended Producer Responsibility as well as generating business leads, and also released a white paper that describes how mixed-waste and single-stream recycling programs could degrade the supply of recycled fibers.

PPC also offered several educational programs, including deep-dive technical seminars on paperboard waste, automation, and visual factory technologies; Folding Carton Boot Camps which educated more than 50 recruits on the basics of carton converting; member tours of International PaperBox in Salt Lake City, UT and Northstar Pulp and Paper in Springfield, MA; and new special interest programming such as the Women’s Leadership Conference and the Canadian Converter Committee.

PPC’s largest events in 2015—it’s annual Spring and Fall Meetings—also saw great success in bringing the industry together to network, build relationships, and explore challenges and opportunities. Converter member participation increased by 23% over the past year, and the Fall conference even enjoyed record attendance. PPC’s meetings featured keynotes from industry leaders such as Steve Voorhees, CEO of WestRock, and Benny Landa, CEO of Landa Corp., as well as inspiring motivational speakers such as former professional poker player Caspar Berry and acclaimed sports writer Don Yaeger.

Yet PPC’s initiatives extend beyond conference halls and into the greater packaging and consumer worlds. Through its annual TICCIT program, PPC helped over 20 member companies across the country plant thousands of saplings and educate children about the sustainability of paper. PPC’s monthly Vox Box blogs served as a key industry resource on topics such as e-commerce packaging, the psychology behind package design, trends in food and beverage packaging, and technologies for minimizing fire damage. Additionally, PPC submitted joint letters with other industry associations regarding crucial topics including SASB standards as well as ozone and biomass legislation. Additionally, the association provided industry representation at Paper 2015, ECMA Congress, Paperboard Packaging Alliance’s Student Design Challenge judging week, and at the New England Paper Cluster meeting.

“I am pleased with the work PPC has accomplished during our 86th year, both in delivering value to our members as well as promoting paperboard to markets and consumers far and wide,” said Ben Markens, PPC President. “And that work is paying off.  With the 24 new members who joined the association in 2015, PPC now represents approximately 85% of the industry by volume.”