Page 402 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

380 PAPER MANUFACTURING APPLICATIONS

Employment in paper manufacturing, which historically has been less volatile, has
fluctuated less in recent years. Employment gains have been elusive, however, and
16,000 jobs have been lost, on net, since 1990. At the same time, employment in recy-
cling, collection, and paper distribution reflects a steady and increasing rate of growth.
Increases in these jobs in recent history have far outweighed employment declines in
paper manufacturing.
Industries in the paper manufacturing subsector make pulp, paper, or converted
paper products. The manufacturing of these products is grouped together because they
constitute a series of vertically connected processes. More than one is often carried out
in a single establishment. There are essentially three activities. The manufacturing of
pulp involves separating the cellulose fibers from other impurities in wood or used
paper. The manufacturing of paper involves matting these fibers into a sheet.
Converted paper products are made from paper and other materials by various cutting
and shaping techniques and include coating and laminating activities.
The paper manufacturing subsector is subdivided into two industry groups, the first
for the manufacturing of pulp and paper and the second for the manufacturing of con-
verted paper products. Paper making is treated as the core activity of the subsector.
Therefore, any establishment that makes paper (including paperboard), either alone or
in combination with pulp manufacturing or paper converting, is classified as a paper
or paperboard mill. Establishments that make pulp without making paper are classi-
fied as pulp mills. Pulp mills, paper mills, and paperboard mills comprise the first
industry group.
Establishments that make products from purchased paper and other materials make
up the second industry group, converted paper product manufacturing. This general
activity is then subdivided based, for the most part, on process distinctions.
Paperboard container manufacturing uses corrugating, cutting, and shaping machinery
to form paperboard into containers. Paper bag and coated and treated paper
manufacturing establishments cut and coat paper and foil. Stationery product–
manufacturing establishments make a variety of paper products used for writing,
filing, and similar applications. Other converted paper product manufacturing
includes, in particular, the conversion of sanitary paper stock into such things as tis-
sue paper and disposable diapers.
An important process used in the paper-bag and coated and treated paper manufac-
turing industry is lamination, often combined with coating. Lamination and coating
makes a composite material with improved properties of strength, impermeability, and
so on. The laminated materials may be paper, metal foil, or plastics film. While paper
is often one of the components, it is not always. Lamination of plastics film to plastics
film is classified in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sub-
sector 326, plastics and rubber products manufacturing, because establishments that
do this often first make the film. The same situation holds with respect to bags. The
manufacturing of bags from plastics only, whether or not laminated, is classified in
subsector 326, plastics and rubber products manufacturing, but all other bag manu-
facturing is classified in this subsector.