Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups are made up of members with particular interests in the industry. Current Special Interest Groups are:
Appita Asia
This Group’s objectives are to foster the exchange of technical information between Appita and kindred associations and pulp and paper companies 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 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
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 and will co host a major two-day Symposium on Bioresource Processing along with the Appita Asia Group and the Environment Group, at the 63rd Appita Annual Conference and Exhibition, to be held in Melbourne on 21 - 22 April 2009.
Contact: Gil Garnier
Engineering
The Engineering Special Interest Group provides a network for engineering personnel in the pulp and paper industry. The Group shares knowledge and ideas on all aspects of engineering including maintenance management, project engineering, instrumentation and control systems and spares management.
The Group has held workshops on these topics at Appita Conferences and also has held seminars at other times of the year.
Contact: Andrew Thorpe
Environmental
Like the Engineering Special Interest Group, the Environmental 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: Roberto Miotti
Sustaining Members and Suppliers
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 SMSSIG was created specifically for our supplier members.
The SMSSIG have 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 SMSSIG is instrumental in promoting their members’ ability to satisfy those requirements.
Contact: Ken Price
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: Appita
Management
Every pulp and paper mill has a wide range of assets, from capital plant and equipment, materials, people, systems to intellectual property. For the business to function effectively these assets must be properly managed. The Asset Management Special Interest Group will provide opportunities for people with roles in managing these assets to meet and discuss issues, help each other solve problems, and talk about new developments.
The Group will hold meetings and seminars and publish items in the Appita Journal.
Contact: Dennis Shore