@article{vivas_vera_dasmohapatra_marquez_van schoubroeck_forfora_azuaje_phillips_jameel_delborne_et al._2024, title={A Multi-Criteria Approach for Quantifying the Impact of Global Megatrends on the Pulp and Paper Industry: Insights into Digitalization, Social Behavior Change, and Sustainability}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2305-6290"]}, url={https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/8/2/36}, DOI={10.3390/logistics8020036}, abstractNote={Background: The pulp and paper industry (P&PI) is undergoing significant disruption driven by global megatrends that necessitate advanced tools for predicting future behavior and adapting strategies accordingly. Methods: This work utilizes a multi-criteria framework to quantify the effects of digitalization, changes in social behavior, and sustainability as three major megatrends transforming the P&PI industry, with a specific focus on hygiene tissue products. Thus, the research combines a comprehensive literature review, insights from a Delphi study, and topic modeling to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the present and future impacts of these global megatrends. Results: The findings suggest an urgent need to identify alternative raw materials to prevent potential supply chain disruptions. Moreover, due to shifts in social behavior, it becomes critical for businesses to substantiate their sustainability claims with hard data to avoid the risk of a “greenwashing” perception among consumers. Conclusions: This study provides decision support for strategic planning by highlighting actionable insights, quantitative predictions, and trend analysis, alongside the examination of consumer and market trends. It aims to incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives and criteria into decision-making processes, thereby enriching the strategic planning and sustainability efforts within the P&PI industry.}, number={2}, journal={LOGISTICS-BASEL}, author={Vivas, Keren A. and Vera, Ramon E. and Dasmohapatra, Sudipta and Marquez, Ronald and Van Schoubroeck, Sophie and Forfora, Naycari and Azuaje, Antonio Jose and Phillips, Richard B. and Jameel, Hasan and Delborne, Jason A. and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Jun} }
 @article{vivas_vera_phillips_forfora_azuaje_zering_chang_delborne_saloni_dasmohapatra_et al._2024, title={An economic analysis of bamboo plantations and feedstock delivered cost in the Southern US for the manufacturing of fiber-based bioproducts}, volume={6}, ISSN={["1932-1031"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.2634}, DOI={10.1002/bbb.2634}, abstractNote={Abstract Bamboo, recognized for its rapid growth, high yield, and fiber performance is prominent in the fiber‐based bioproduct industry. However, the absence of US industrial bamboo plantations for fiber production necessitates reliance on imports or locally manufactured products using imported bamboo fibers, predominantly from China. This study evaluates the economic viability of cultivating bamboo in the Southern US for fiber production, with a case study on hygiene tissue products. The supply‐chain analysis was assessed to calculate bamboo chips' minimum selling price (MSP) at the farm gate for an 8% internal rate of return (IRR). The MSP, influenced primarily by land rental costs, ranges from USD 48 to 55 per bone‐dry metric ton (BDt). Despite an initial establishment cost of ~USD 2 000 ha −1 and profitability by year 5, bamboo is a viable, long‐term fiber alternative. Successful bamboo cultivation in the US could lead to a more sustainable implementation of alternative non‐wood fibers for hygiene tissue applications.}, journal={BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR}, author={Vivas, Keren A. and Vera, Ramon E. and Phillips, Richard B. and Forfora, Naycari and Azuaje, Ivana and Zering, Kelly and Chang, Hou-Min and Delborne, Jason and Saloni, Daniel and Dasmohapatra, Sudipta and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Jun} }
 @article{vivas_pifano_vera_urdaneta_urdaneta_forfora_abatti_phillips_dasmohapatra_saloni_et al._2024, title={Understanding the potential of bamboo fibers in the USA: A comprehensive techno-economic comparison of bamboo fiber production through mechanical and chemical processes}, volume={6}, ISSN={["1932-1031"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.2652}, DOI={10.1002/bbb.2652}, abstractNote={Abstract The growing interest in bamboo fibers for pulp, paper, and board production in the USA necessitates a comprehensive financial viability assessment. This study conducts a detailed technoeconomic analysis (TEA) of bamboo fiber production, primarily for the consumer hygiene tissue market although it is also applicable to other industrial uses. The economic viability of two pulping methods – alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP) and ammonium bisulfite chemical pulping (ABS) – was explored within three different pulp mill settings to supply pulp to two nonintegrated tissue and towel mills in South Carolina, USA. The target was to produce wet lap bamboo bleached pulp at 50% consistency and 70% ISO brightness. Despite higher initial capital invesment and operating costs, ABS achieved a lower minimum required selling price – USD 544 to 686 per bone dry metric ton (BDt = 1000 BDkg) – in comparison with USD 766 to 899 BDt −1 for APMP. This price advantage is partly due to an additional revenue stream (lignosulfonate byproduct), which not only boosts revenue but also circumvents the need for expensive chemical recovery systems. When compared with traditional kraft pulping, both methods require significantly lower capital investments, with minimum required selling prices (estimated to achieve 16% IRR) below current market rates for extensively used bleached kraft pulps in the USA tissue industry. The economic benefits derive from several factors: the low cost of bamboo as raw material, reduced capital needs for new pulping technologies, lower transportation costs from the pulp mill to tissue and towel manufacturing facilities, and the high market price of bleached kraft pulp.}, journal={BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR}, author={Vivas, Keren A. and Pifano, Alonzo and Vera, Ramon E. and Urdaneta, Fernando and Urdaneta, Isabel and Forfora, Naycari and Abatti, Camilla and Phillips, Richard B. and Dasmohapatra, Sudipta and Saloni, Daniel and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Jun} }