Modules from an upcoming guide to paper handling are being made available for industry comment.

The 'Optimised paper handling and logistics' guide is being released in an alpha version so that the final publication delivers a comprehensive and complete guide to best practices.

The international, cross-industry collaborative project across the supply chain - from mill, through transport, storage, handling and press preparation - aims to produce a global reference for suppliers, transporters and printers to improve their economic and environmental efficiency. It covers paper for publishing and packaging applications for all major printing processes - offset, flexo, gravure and digital - using rolls and sheets of paper and board, and will result in an ebook of around 180 pages issued free to users.

The project was initiated by the International Centre for Manufacture by Print and WAN-Ifra, joined by the European Rotogravure Association, Idealliance, and Nordic Offset Printers Association with companies including India's ABP, Axel Springer, Bolzoni Auramo, Earthpac, Goss International, IF, KBA, LHG, Sonoco-Alcore, Stora Enso, the Times of India and UPM.

Substrates are the highest single cost for all printing and packaging applications and any reduction in their waste and damage improves both economic and environmental performance. Paper is heavy, prone to transit and handling damage, and is very susceptible to changes in humidity and to absorbing residual odours such as traces of oil.

A roll or pallet is handled 16 times from when it leaves the paper mill to when it is put on to the press, and is a demanding cargo with a high economical unit value, requiring specialised and correctly maintained techniques, tools and facilities for handling, logistics, storage and preparation for printing.

"A cross-industry manual reduces costs for an individual company, helps avoid confusion and duplication, simplifies training and supervision, and allows a better vision across the entire value chain that is increasing a global," says David Steinhardt, president and chief executive of Idealliance which facilitates their Paper Transit Damage and papiNet Working Groups.

The project was launched in mid-2014. Key is a collective approach requiring only a small industry-wide investment that will deliver cost effective international synergies to answer needs in both emerging and mature markets.

The guide addresses the supply chain with seven modules: Overview Paper & Cores, Wrapping & Pallets; Damage Inspection & Diagnosis; Warehouse/Paper Store; Handling Equipment; Best Practice Roll & Pallet Handling; Transportation: Securing, Rail, Road, Sea, Containers; and Printer: Paper on to Press & Recycling.

Open industry review

"Around 50 people from 30 organisations have contributed their expertise, along with more than 20 publications that the guide has draw content from," said project manager-editor Nigel Wells from the International Centre for Manufacture by Print. "We believe that the Alpha version's content will be over 90 per cent complete but we want to take this to over 99 per cent and this can only be done by inviting members of the global industry to review, correct and complete the base that has been created."

Modules from the guide will become progressively available from this month for comment until the end of January. To become a reviewer, simply go to the World Printers Online Forum and then to "Best Practice Guide" under "Printing/Paper" to download the different modules and either post short comments on to the Forum, or make larger changes on the accompanying manuscript document.

WAN-Ifra deputy chief executive Manfred Werfel says a three-month review period is planned, before publishing the finalised ebook version in March 2016 for free download and digital print-on-demand. A classic printed version is being considered. The initial language will be English and other languages will be added as sub-projects.

For more information please contact one of the project team leaders: Nigel Wells, icmPrint vimw@wanadoo.fr, or Manfred Werfel manfred.werfel@wan-ifra.org

Pictured: manroland's Aurosys roll handling