The U.S. Pulp and Paper is an industry in the midst of contradictions. On the one hand it is based on a renewable natural resource which currently is the best on the planet, and, up until recently, could deliver pulp and paper anywhere in the world at a price which was less than pulp and paper could be produced locally. The result was a U.S. industry which, at least on average, was profitable and provided a major contribution to the U.S. balance of payments. On the other hand the U.S. Pulp and Paper industry has come under serious international competition in recent years. In the short term this resulted from the strong dollar of 1984 which, unfortunately, allowed domestic customers to become acquainted with the quality and variety of grades of paper from other countries and so has had to have had some potential for a lasting effect; and in the long term it has resulted from intensive research/development/national support in other countries with important pulp and paper industries which has increased substantially the competition from abroad. A planning workshop will be held in 1988, at the University of Maine to conduct discussions by experts in pulp and paper research and its management which will lead to an integrated statement of the research needs of the U.S. Pulp and Paper industry and identify those on which government, industry and academia could best mount cooperative efforts. Seven categories have been defined for group discussion of research needs. Individuals have been identified to organize and lead the discussions. The role of each category in affecting the performance of the industry will be studied and discussed. A Workshop Proceedings will be prepared to bring together the discussions and recommendations of the Workshop. These Proceedings will be distributed to key organizations in the U.S.
