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AstenJohnson University, the premier institution dedicated to training the next generation of papermaking professionals, is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. AstenJohnson University has played a pivotal role in advancing the papermaking industry through education, training, and innovation. Since its founding, the university has become a cornerstone of papermaking expertise, shaping the future of an industry that is integral to the global economy.
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Clinton, South Carolina
On Halloween 2025, Sustainability took center stage as Kristen Reece and Summer Cooper dressed up as characters from The Lorax — the beloved guardian of the trees. While the costume was all in good fun, the message behind it runs deep: every action counts when it comes to protecting our environment.
That morning, Kristen and Summer had the joy of visiting Eastside Elementary School and hand out candy and share smiles with the students — reminding us how small acts can brighten a day and inspire future generations to care for our planet.
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Strakonice, Czech Republic
In 2021, a group of AstenJohnson volunteers group of AstenJohnson volunteers and their family members planted around 1,100 oak trees in an area near Strakonice, where trees were affected by bark beetles. Not only will these trees help restore the area impacted by bark beetles, they will also serve as a carbon sink, improving air quality in Strakonice.
This action from our associates demonstrates their commitment to sustainability and their community.
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In 2021, a group of AstenJohnson volunteers group of AstenJohnson volunteers and their family members planted around 1,100 oak trees in an area near Strakonice, where trees were affected by bark beetles. Not only will these trees help restore the area impacted by bark beetles, they will also serve as a carbon sink, improving air quality in Strakonice.
This action from our associates demonstrates their commitment to sustainability and their community.
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Success Story
In July 2025, AJ Valleyfield participated in a competition called “Affiche ta culture circulaire” (Showcase Your Circular Culture), organized by Comité 21, a private non-profit social economy enterprise. This project invited local artists to create works from post-industrial waste materials in order to demonstrate the potential for reusing these materials.
Artists Marion Paquette and Laurence Boire, winners of the program, created works from scraps of material provided by AstenJohnson. Their project was selected as a finalist in the competition. The duo presents Optimus, a light fixture that explores the concepts of ambiance and space (Les artistes s’expriment au travers de la démarche Affiche ta culture Circulaire - Présentation de Marion Paquette et Laurence Boire - Comité 21 Québec).
“Among the variety of materials available at the start of the project, it was the PET and nylon weave that caught our attention. Thanks to its variable degree of opacity and openness, this industrial textile seemed to us to be particularly well suited to working with light,” said the two artists.
They developed four variations in shape: four petals, three petals, triangle, or square.
Success Story
In July 2025, AJ Valleyfield participated in a competition called “Affiche ta culture circulaire” (Showcase Your Circular Culture), organized by Comité 21, a private non-profit social economy enterprise. This project invited local artists to create works from post-industrial waste materials in order to demonstrate the potential for reusing these materials.
Artists Marion Paquette and Laurence Boire, winners of the program, created works from scraps of material provided by AstenJohnson. Their project was selected as a finalist in the competition. The duo presents Optimus, a light fixture that explores the concepts of ambiance and space (Les artistes s’expriment au travers de la démarche Affiche ta culture Circulaire - Présentation de Marion Paquette et Laurence Boire - Comité 21 Québec).
“Among the variety of materials available at the start of the project, it was the PET and nylon weave that caught our attention. Thanks to its variable degree of opacity and openness, this industrial textile seemed to us to be particularly well suited to working with light,” said the two artists.
They developed four variations in shape: four petals, three petals, triangle, or square.
Success Story
Did you know that letting your hair grow could turn into a good action?
Sixty percent of women who are losing their hair, due to cancer treatments, consider it the worst of their illness. Several organizations around the world were born to support those affected by cancer. Those organizations collect hair donations to make wigs for affected people or sell the hair to wig making companies to financially support those in need. Organization have ongoing campaigns to encourage hair donations to benefit those affected by breast cancer.
At AJ Eupen, Lysianne Ernst and Anaëlle Roemans are both active hair donors. “Donating hair is like donating blood. It is easy and it doesn’t cost us anything when it can help others,” explains Anaëlle. In December 2023, Lysianne donated her hair for the second time and Anaëlle gave her third donation. “I am happy to know that my hairs are now getting a second life and that with a simple haircut (and a little patience until reaching the 30 cm), I could do something good very easily and without any effort,” Lysianne says.
Do you want to participate? There are more organizations in the world, so feel free to check the one closest to you and that matches your values!
And as cancer can unfortunately affect any of us, we should not only support others by donating your hair, but also make sure we don't forget to get tested for cancer, because early detection can save thousands of lives. It is well known: The earlier cancer is detected, the higher the chances of recovery and the lower the consequential damage.
From our Respect in Our Workplace program to our LEAN Sigma program and our ISO 9001 certification, everything AstenJohnson does has an eye toward Sustainability. We work to ensure that our associates have safe work environments, where they are treated with respect, and have equal opportunities for advancement. We often make improvements to help conserve resources, become more efficient, and ensure that the workplace is welcoming to all.
“The Earth is the only place which we mankind call home. With the future in mind, we need to treat nature with respect and treasure our planet.”
Oscar Wang VP Finance, Eurasia
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Clinton, South Carolina
After identifying the chiller as a source of HCFC refrigerants dangerous for the ozone layer, the Clinton site replaced their chiller in October 2023. The new unit is running well.
Project Start: 2021
Goal:
Reduce HVAC costs & also convert to newer, eco-friendly HFC-134a refrigerant.
Progress:
Reduce HVAC costs & also convert to newer, eco-friendly HFC-134a refrigerant.
