ATLANTA , GA -- January 10, 2006 - The World of Market Pulp , has just been released. It is the first book of it's kind to describe in technical detail the distinctive characteristics and benefits of a broad range of market pulps.

The annual global output of market pulps now approaches 55 million tons and involves over 35 producing companies in 22 countries. Over 100 different grades of pulps are being produced from a variety of long and short fiber species. North America has long been the leading producer of mixed-species market pulps and today produces some 35% of the world's market pulps. Today, plantation grown species such as acacia, radiata pine and eucalyptus are adding a new dimension to the pulps that are available to paper, packaging, and consumer products companies.

Dave Hillman, CoAuthor and Market Pulp Consultant, states, "I hope that this book and the database that we have created will be a transformative resource for the industry. I think that the information that we have compiled will empower companies to use fibers for their inherent properties, to optimize their potential contribution to products, and not let cost be the only factor in pulp choice."

Al Button, CoAuthor and President of Buttonwood Consulting, states, "I think the power of this research is that for the first time we have a common language about pulp. It will put you and your customer on the same page as sales and purchasing. Every pulp seller should give it to their customers. It will definitely make it easier to do business and will pay back many times over."

Hiroki Nanko, CoAuthor and IPST/CPBIS researcher said, "I am excited about the ability of this data to develop non-papermaking applications and alternative uses for pulp."

The information supplied in this book will assist buyers and sellers of pulp to discover the pulp's distinctive properties, unusual attributes, and most appropriate end-use applications. Buyers and sellers of pulp will derive value from this, the first non-proprietary study of its kind.

The research impact of this study includes a CD that includes a tool for comparative study of pulps, the newly released book, The World of Market Pulp , and a semi-annual seminar on The World of Market Pulp that occurs each Spring and Fall. For more information on the offerings and how to order books and CD's please visit www.worldofmarketpulp.com . Original funding for the research was provided by a grant from the Sloan Foundation Center for Paper Business and Industry Studies.