Paper Associations
The paper industry is a big part of the U.S. economy. According to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the industry accounts for about 5 percent of U.S. gross domestic product in the manufacturing area. As of 2011, the industry employed about 900,000 people and produced about $175 billion in goods annually. There are a few paper industry trade associations that serve the needs of those with an interest in the industry.
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AF&PA
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A major goal for AF&PA is to foster a sustainable and prosperous forest and paper products industry with an environmental orientation. AF&PA members include forest owners, family owned mills and publicly traded companies that manufacture paper products. AF&PA provides information about the industry and also engages in statistical research. As a condition of membership, members agree to follow the association's principles relating to the environment, health and safety. For instance, members agree to have an orientation towards the environment and health and safety factors as they engage in their business activities.
NPTA Alliance
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Formerly the National Paper Trade Association, the NPTA Alliance aims to serve the needs of the paper, packaging and supplies distribution industry. The association supports its members by providing networking opportunities, industry data, research and education. NPTA Alliance has three membership segments. A paper segment serves the needs of members in industries that use paper, such as printing and publishing; a packaging sector is geared to manufacturers and a service providers segment is oriented to service providers that support the distributors and manufacturers.
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TAPPI
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Founded in 1915 as the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, TAPPI serves the needs of the pulp, paper, converting and packaging industries. The association provides information and education to its members -- who include engineers, scientists and managers -- aimed at helping them do their jobs better. TAPPI provides services to different segments of the industry, such as the pulp and paper technical niche, the pulp and paper operations segment, the converting and packaging segment and the suppliers and consultants segment. More recently, TAPPI also provides input geared to nonwoven applications and bioenergy.
Advocacy
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Besides serving the educational needs of their members, paper industry associations may also engage in advocacy efforts to promote the interests of the paper industry. For instance, AF&PA says that it has a track record of weighing in on behalf of its members as national and international policymakers frame policies relating to the industry. NPTA too states that it actively supports issues and policies that have a beneficial impact on its members' businesses.
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References
- Photo Credit paper image by max blain from Fotolia.com
