Special Interest Groups

Special Interest Groups are made up of members with particular interests in the industry. Current Special Interest Groups are:

• Bioresource Processing
  
• Environment
• Industrial IT
• International Business Committee 
• Suppliers Committee
  

Bioresource Processing

The Bioresource Processing Special Interest Group provides a network for people interested in the future of the forest resource, such as conflicts between fibre for pulp or for fuel and chemicals. The Group also has an interest in the related issues of energy management and emissions trading.

The Group will develop a program of meetings and seminars.

Contact:  Gil Garnier

Environment

The Environment Group has held seminars, workshops and other meetings to discuss various aspects of environmental policy, processes, developments and management systems which affect the pulp and paper industry. They have published articles in Appita Journal and have assisted in developing an industry position on a number of environmental issues.

Contact: Adele Elice Invaso

Industrial Information Technology

This Group aims to provide a network for people in the pulp and paper industry with a role in IT. This could include Systems Managers, Process Engineers, E&I Engineers and accounting people.

The Group will provide opportunities for interested people to meet and discuss issues on topics such as process control, loop tuning, DCS systems, database management, systems integration and operator training. In time they will arrange seminars and conference activities.

Contact: Mark Schijf

International Business Committee

This Group’s objectives are to foster the exchange of technical information between Appita and kindred associations and pulp and paper companies, particularly  in the Asian region. The Group has facilitated workshops and seminars in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines in recent years, and has co-hosted various Symposia at the Annual  Conferences.

The Group sponsors the winner of the Melbourne Section Young Speakers’ Contest to travel to a Conference or other professional development activity in Asia, where they get a further opportunity to present their winning paper.

Contact: Bert Alesich

Suppliers Committee

The companies who supply equipment, materials and services to the pulp and paper industry are considered Suppliers, and a large number of these companies have chosen to also become Sustaining Members of Appita in order to have a say in how Appita is run.  The Suppliers Committee was created specifically for our supplier members.

The Suppliers Committee has a strong interest in the Annual Conference and Exhibition. Many in the Group are themselves exhibitors and provide sponsorship and hospitality to the Conference. The Group has a strong say in the format and conduct of the Exhibition.

In addition, many supplier companies have recruited from the manufacturers in recent years as the manufacturers outsource their technical support requirements. This has meant that the manufacturers needs for technical information are changing. Appita is responding to those needs and the Suppliers Committee is instrumental in promoting their members’ ability to satisfy those requirements.

Contact:  Mat Clay