EPAT (CONT’D FROM PAGE 34)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
In practical terms, EPAT turns complex ESG data into something procurement teams can actually work with. History And Development of EPAT EPAT (Environmental Paper Assessment Tool) was orig- inally developed in the early 2000s through a collabora- tive effort between corporate paper buyers and the pulp and paper industry. Its creation was driven by a clear need: to move beyond simplistic or single-issue environmental indicators and toward a more comprehensive, life cycle– based understanding of paper’s environmental impacts Over time, EPAT has evolved significantly. What began as a structured assessment framework developed by in- dustry stakeholders has grown into a robust, web-based platform. Today, it is used by a wide range of buyers and suppliers to report, evaluate, and compare environmental performance using standardized metrics. This evolution reflects both increasing demand for credible, comparable ESG data and the industry’s shift toward more transparent and data-driven decision-making. Today, EPAT captures more than 35 ESG metrics, in- cluding: greenhouse gas emissions intensity, energy use and energy sources, water consumption and discharge, fiber sourcing and certification, environmental manage- ment practices, health and safety, community involvement, labor policies and other ESG performance indicators. For buyers, one of the biggest barriers to integrating sustainability into procurement is time. Reviewing supplier data received from buyer questionnaires or across mul- tiple formats - PDFs, spreadsheets, certifications, and re- ports - is resource-intensive. EPAT simplifies this process by consolidating key en- vironmental metrics into a single format; aligning data across suppliers using consistent definitions; and enabling side-by-side comparison without reinterpreting inputs. This allows procurement teams to move beyond quali- tative assessments and incorporate environmental perfor- mance into decision-making more directly. A tool used by mills and major buyers, EPAT is already used by a broad range of stakeholders across the paper supply chain. Dual adoption among mills and buyers is critical. A tool is only effective if it works for both sides of the transaction - those providing the data and those using it. Sustainability reporting has evolved from disclosure to application. The next phase is not about producing more reports - it is about enabling better decisions. Tools like EPAT help bridge that gap by turning envi- ronmental information into a format that can be compared, evaluated, and acted on. For mills, that means clearer communication and stronger positioning. For buyers, it means more confident, data-driven procurement. And for the industry as a whole, it moves sustainability from aspiration to something measurable. For more information about EPAT and its features, visit EPAT.org or contact at info@epat.org.
THE HAIRE GROUP www.hairegroup.com
Haire Group is the premier provider of new machinery for the corrugated industry. From the Apstar line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters, the Encore line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters, and the Engico flexo folder glu- er, Haire is able to pair clients with the best machinery solu- tions for the best value to meet their needs. Haire Group’s service department helps its customers maximize uptime and profitability through superior 24/7 service and support, a pre-install training center, and over a million dollars’ worth of spare parts at their offices just outside of Chicago. Haire Group has been the industry’s #1 pre-owned machinery bro- ker and plant equipment appraiser since 1976. HarperLove is the leading provider of specialty adhesives, performance additives, and wet-strength resins to corru- gated packaging manufacturers. With the largest and most experienced field service and technical support team posi- tioned throughout the U.S. and Latin America, HarperLove has a long-standing reputation for providing outstanding service and delivering demonstrable performance improve- ments. HarperLove’s renowned services include not only innovative product development and custom product for- mulation, but also machine and process assessments, ad- hesive formula adjustments, machine tuning, detailed ser- vice reporting, and more. HARPERLOVE www.HarperLove.com Kernic Systems has been a leading global provider of re- cycling equipment solutions since 1978. For over 40 years, Kernic Systems has provided balers, air conveying and dust collection systems, shredders, industrial vacuums, and re- cycling equipment to a wide range of markets. Today, Ker- nic Systems serves customers with an expanded offering of standard products and custom-engineered systems through three primary business divisions: Recycling Solu- tions, Dust Collection and Air Pollution Control, and Material Handling. Kiwiplan provides state-of-the-art software solutions to cor- rugated, folding carton, plastics and flexible packaging fa- cilities around the globe. Kiwiplan’s Total Solution delivers comprehensive, seamless real-time flow of information from sales order management to dynamic total plant scheduling and inventory control through shipping. With deep manu- facturing and distribution expertise, Kiwiplan knows the specific problems customers face and provides the spe- cialized software they need to adapt, compete, and win in today's rapidly changing world. KERNIC SYSTEMS www.kernicsystems.com KIWIPLAN www.kiwiplan.com
36 May 25, 2026
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