Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T20:42:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eliane Engel Gogola.pdf: 5376053 bytes, checksum: d9613bf1e372ef92965596e2136c6891 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-28 / In this work were studied of the chemical product’s influence once used through the membrane’s cleaning process of the ultrafiltration plant in the effluent treatment station, in a pulp and paper company, located in Paraná State – Brazil on the corrosive process presented in the plant. It was determined the electrochemical parameters through electrochemical methods, according to the norm ASTM G 59-97. It was used for the determinations a potentiostat/galvanostat AUTOLAB, model PGSTAT 30. As the electrolyte, it was used the effluent itself to be treated in the plant, and solutions of NaOH 500 mg/L, H2SO4 0,012 mol/L and 0,1 mol/L and H2O2 5,0g/L and 10,0g/L at 25ºC. The corrosion rates highest were in sulfuric acid, being that for concentration of 0,012 mol/L, was 1,26 mm/year for the steel AISI 1020, 0,54 mm/year for the AISI 304L, 0,00229 mm/year for the SAF 2205. For the steel AISI 316L there was variation between the rates measured for the electrodes removed from regions of the base metal, of the heat effected zone and of the cast zone, being 0,0055, 0,0033 and 0,0038 mm/year, respectively. For the solution of acid at 0,1 mol/L was increased the corrosion rates to all those studied metals, being more pronounced this increase to the AISI 304L, going to 0,94mm/year. Now to the duplex steel SAF 2205 the increase was lower than 5%. The effluent has a high corrosion only for steel AISI 1020, of 0,18mm/year, with lesser rates 0,004 mm/year. In this mean, the material that have had better performance was AISI 304L with values of 0,0016 mm/year. In the sodium hydroxide solution all metals had corrosion rates similar, being the least to the AISI 304L, of 0,0012 mm/year, and at most to cast zone of AISI 316L, with 0,0018 mm/year. The variation in the concentration of the solutions of hydrogen peroxide from 5,0 g/L to 10,0 g/L had no significant effect in the corrosion rates for steels AISI 316L e SAF 2205. For the steel AISI 304L the corrosion rate doubles, going from 0,014 mm/year to 0,032 mm/year, to twice the concentration. For the steel AISI 1020 was observed the opposite effect, the corrosion rate dropped almost in half, going from 0,072 mm/year to 0,037 mm/year, to increase the concentration, being intermediates between as rates observed for acid mean, more aggressive, and for alkaline mean, less aggressive. As a results of this study, it’s been possible to suggest doing a sequence to cleaning plant with objective to minimize the corrosion through the passivation of metals in alkaline mean. / Neste trabalho foi estudada a influência dos produtos químicos utilizados na lavagem da membrana da planta de ultrafiltração da estação de tratamento de efluentes de uma empresa de celulose e papel do interior do Paraná – Brasil sobre o processo corrosivo apresentado na planta. Foram determinados os parâmetros de corrosão através de método eletroquímico segundo a norma ASTM G 59-97. Para as determinações foi utilizado um potenciostato/galvanostato AUTOLAB, modelo PGSTAT30. Como eletrólitos foram utilizados o próprio efluente tratado na planta, soluções de NaOH 500mg/L, H2SO4 0,012 mol/L e 0,1mol/L e H2O2 5,0 g/L e 10g/L a 25ºC. As taxas de corrosão mais altas foram em ácido sulfúrico, sendo que para concentração de 0,012 mol/L, foi de 1,26 mm/ano para o AISI 1020, 0,54 mm/ano para o AISI 304L, 0,00229 mm/ano para o SAF 2205. Para o aço AISI 316L houve variação entre as taxas medidas para os eletrodos retirados da região do metal base, da zona afetada pelo calor e da zona fundida, sendo 0,0055, 0,0033 e 0,0038 mm/ano, respectivamente. Para a solução de ácido a 0,1 mol/L houve aumento nas taxas de corrosão de todos os metais, sendo mais acentuado esse aumento para o AISI 304L, indo para 0,94 mm/ano. Já para o aço duplex SAF 2205 o aumento foi menor que 5%. O efluente apresenta uma corrosão elevada apenas para o aço AISI 1020, de 0,18 mm/ano, com taxas menores que 0,004 mm/ano para os demais eletrodos. Nesse meio, o aço com melhor desempenho foi o AISI 304L com uma taxa de 0,0016mm/ano. Na solução de hidróxido de sódio todos os metais tiveram taxas de corrosão similares, sendo a mínima para o AISI 304L, de 0,0012 mm/ano e a máxima para a zona fundida do AISI 316L, com 0,0018 mm/ano. A variação de concentração das soluções de peróxido de hidrogênio de 5,0 g/L para 10,0 g/L não teve efeito significativo nas taxas de corrosão para os aços AISI 316L e SAF 2205. Para o AISI 304L a taxa de corrosão dobra , indo de 0,014 mm/ano para 0,032mm/ano, para o dobro de concentração de H2O2. Para o aço AISI 1020 observou-se o efeito contrário, a taxa de corrosão caiu praticamente à metade indo de 0,072 mm/ano para 0,037 mm/ano, com o aumento da concentração, sendo essas taxas intermediárias entre as observadas para meio ácido, mais agressivo, e para o meio alcalino, menos agressivo. Com os resultados obtidos foi proposta uma sequência de lavagem da membrana com objetivo de minimizar a corrosão através da passivação dos metais pelo meio alcalino.

Busca-se investigar o desenvolvimento geográfico desigual da Suzano no Maranhão, atentando para a relação com o Estado, os conflitos sociais e os impactos ambientais. Concebe-se, aqui, a Suzano como um agente social e econômico dotado de características particulares cujas ações influenciam e reverberam nas dimensões socioambientais do espaço geográfico maranhense e além fronteiras. Para isto realizou-se três etapas principais: trabalhos de campo, a revisão bibliográfica e a produção da dissertação. Além da apresentação, introdução e metodologia, a dissertação está dividida em cinco capítulos. No primeiro capítulo procurou-se entender o debate realizado por alguns geógrafos acerca da discussão desenvolvimento/subdesenvolvimento. São destacados os seguintes autores: 1) Yves Lacoste, 2) Milton Santos 3) Horieste Gomes, 4) Germán Wettstein, 5) Carlos Walter Porto-Gonçalves e 6) Jorge Montenegro Gómez. No segundo capítulo, advogo que a leitura do capitalismo contemporâneo, para além da dicotomia desenvolvido-subdesenvolvido, deve tomar como base a teoria do desenvolvimento geográfico desigual do capitalismo, sustentada pelos geógrafos Neil Smith e David Harvey. No capítulo terceiro, trouxe para a discussão reflexões acerca do papel do Estado na evolução histórica do Grupo Suzano, bem como seu consequente desenvolvimento. Sustento que o apoio do Estado é de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento da empresa. Apoio esse que se materializa em isenções fiscais, planos de desenvolvimento e apoios financeiros, como no caso do Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES). No quarto capítulo, que trata sobre os projetos de desenvolvimento, o intuito é ofertar um panorama geral acerca da territorialização da empresa no referido Estado. Procuro, sempre que possível, refletir teoricamente acerca da interconexão dos projetos florestais, plantas industriais, acessos rodoferroviários e terminal portuário. Por fim, apresento uma reflexão na qual pretendo compreender a produção da natureza como estratégia de acumulação analisando a aquisição da empresa de biotecnologia FuturaGene pela Suzano / Seeks to investigate the uneven geographical development of Suzano in Maranhão state, noting the relationship with the state, social conflicts and environmental impacts. Suzano is conceived here, as a social and economic agent endowed with individual characteristics whose actions influence and reverberates on social and environmental dimensions of Maranhão geographical space and beyond its frontiers. To accomplish this, I set three main stages: field work, literature review and the production of the dissertation. Besides the presentation, introduction and methodology, the dissertation is divided into five chapters. In the first chapter it was sought to understand the debate held by some geographers about the development / underdevelopment discussion. The following authors are highlighted: 1) Yves Lacoste, 2) Milton Santos 3) Horieste Gomes, 4) Germán Wettstein, 5) Carlos Walter Porto-Gonçalves e 6) Jorge Montenegro Gómez. In the second chapter, I advocate that the reading of contemporary capitalism, beyond the dichotomy developed-underdeveloped, must be based on the theory of uneven geographical development of capitalism, supported by geographers Neil Smith and David Harvey. In the third chapter, brought to discussion reflections about the State\'s role in the historical evolution of the Suzano Group and its consequent development. I argue that State support is crucial for the development of the company. Support which materializes in tax exemptions, development plans and financial support, as in the case of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES). In the fourth chapter, which deals with development projects, the aim is to offer an overview about the territorialization of the company in that State. I try, whenever possible, to reflect theoretically about the interconnection of forestry projects, industrial plants, rail-road accesses and port terminal. Finally, I present a reflection in which I want to understand the production of nature as accumulation strategy analyzing the acquisition of biotechnology company FuturaGene by Suzano

The risk for climate change is a growing concern for theglobal society. According to what is known as the Kyoto Protocol,developed countries have committed themselves to reduce theirgreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The purpose of this thesis hasbeen to analyse opportunities for CO2 reductions in Swedish pulpand paper mills. The pulp and paper industry accounts forsignificant shares of the Swedish utilisationof both electricityand, in particular, biomass fuels. In this thesis, it has been agoal to focus not only on the technical potential of alternativesfor CO2 reductions in the energy systems of pulp and paper mills,but also on analysing the costeffectiveness of the studiedmeasures. Moreover, the analysis has covered questions concerningthe capacity and willingness among the actors involved with thepulp and paper mills’energy systems to realise CO2reduction potentials. A broad techno-economical evaluation of available technologiesfor increased power production as well as more efficient energyutilisation is carried out. Furthermore, a more indepth analysisof pulp mill-based biomass energy with CO2 removal and permanentsequestration (BECS) is presented. An evaluation is made of thepotential for pulp and paper production with a negative CO2balance through the implementation of BECS. In recent yearsoutside suppliers, mainly energy service companies (ESCOs), havebegun to operate energy facilities in some Swedish pulp and papermills. Based on interviews with managers from pulp and papercompanies and ESCOs, the main driving forces behind theincreasing co-operation as well as the opportunities and riskswith energy related co-operation are presented. Furthermore, the technical possibility of carbon-negativitythrough the implementation of BECS is discussed in relation tocarbon management on both corporate and global levels. The extentto which CO2-reducing measures in pulp and paper mills arerealised will have an impact on Sweden’s capacity to reachCO2 reduction targets. Whether or not technologies for CO2capture and sequestration are developed and implemented inSwedish pulp mills has a very large impact on the size ofSweden’s long-term CO2 reduction potential. Moreover, thedevelopment of business and competence focus in pulp and papercompanies and ESCOs suggests that cooperation will become ofincreasing importance for future sustainable industrial energymanagement. <b>Keywords:</b>CO2 reduction, pulp and paper industry, energysystem, biomass, CO2 capture and sequestration, black liquor,gasification, power production, outsourcing, sustainable energymanagement

The recovery boiler in a pulp and paper mill plays a dual role of recovering pulping chemicals and generating steam for either chemical processes or producing electricity. The efficiency of producing steam in the recovery boiler is limited by the first melting temperature of ash deposits that accumulate on the superheater tubes. Above the first melting temperature, the molten salt reacts with the protective oxide film that develops and dissolves it. The most protective oxide is determined by evaluating how little it dissolves and how its solubility changes in the molten salt. Solubility tests were done on several protective oxides in a known salt composition from a recovery boiler that burns hardwood derived fuel. ICP-OES was used to measure concentration of dissolved metal in the exposure tests while EDS and XRD were used to verify chemical compositions in exposure tests. NiO was found to be the least soluble oxide while Cr₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ had similar solubility with Fe₂O₃ being less soluble than Cr₂O₃ but more soluble than NiO. Exposure tests with pure metals and selected alloys indicated that even though Fe₂O₃ has little solubility, it is not a protective oxide and causes severe corrosion in stainless steels. The change in performance of iron based alloys was due to the development of a negative solubility gradient for Fe₂O₃ where Fe₂O₃ precipitated out of solution and created a continuous leaching of oxide. Manganese was found to be beneficial in stainless steels but its role is still unknown. Nickel based alloys were found to be least corroded due to nickel's low solubility and because it did not form a negative solubility gradient.

In the process of making carton boards into Skoghall Mill, are great quantities of water being contaminated. This water has to be treated before it is possible to release into the recipient, Kattfjorden. One of the contaminations that is important to extract from the wastewater, is organic carbon (measured as TOC-total organic carbon) because microbiological breakdown can lead to the bottom becomig free of oxygen. The wastewater treatment at Skoghall Mill is done through an external wastewater treatment that is located at the factory. The biological treatment (aerated lagoon) is a 140 000 m3 water pool with surface aerator, which is give oxygen to the water. In the lagoon live microorganisms who performs the biggest part of the TOC-reduction. One problem with the lagoon is that the treatment of TOC is considerably worse during wintertime than during summertime. The reduction is during wintertime only 40 %, while during summertime it is about 70-80 %. This seasonal variation can to a large extent be explained by, that the water temperature in the lagoon decreases wintertime. The low water temperature does that the biological activity in the lagoon is reduced, which reduces the TOC-reduction. A second reason can also be that the microorganisms do not have enough bioavailable nutrients that is needed for growth of a new biomass. In this thesis the need of nutrient has been examined. In two test pools, addings of nutrient were being done, to come to the conclusion of a good dosage of nutrient which would lead to a larger reduction of TOC, without enlarged quantities of nitrogen/phosphorus in the outgoing water. One of the test pools hold a summer temperature (30°C), and the other test pool hold a winter temperature (10°C). The test was performed this way to see if there would be any difference in the need of nutrient between summertime and wintertime. The most important conclusion was that a nutrient dosage to the Skoghall aerated lagoon, rise the TOC-reduction wintertime. It was also concluded that it was foremost the nitrogen that contributed to the raised TOC-reduction, and nitrogen is thereby considered to be the growth restraining element wintertime. It seemed like phosphorus had been overdosed during the tests, while enlarged halts of the substance could be seen in the outgoing water, and an optimal dosage of phosphorus could not be done. The recommendation that came as a results from the tests, was that during wintertime add nitrogen and phosphorus according to TOC:N:P-quota 100:0,75:0,10. To the summer pool was no considerable improvement of the TOC-reduction seen, as a result of the nutrient addings. It is also no reason to dosage nutrients in summertime. / Vid tillverkning av kartong och pappersmassa på Skoghalls Bruk förorenas stora mängder vatten, som därmed måste renas före utsläpp till recipienten, Kattfjorden, en vik i Vänern. En av de föroreningar som är viktig att avlägsna ur avloppsvattnet är organiska kolföreningar (TOC-total organic carbon) eftersom det vid mikrobiologisk nedbrytning av TOC åtgår syre vilket kan leda till att sjöbotten blir syrefri. Rening av avloppsvatten på Skoghall Bruk sker genom en extern reningsanläggning som är placerad på bruket. Det biologiska reningssteget i reningsanläggningen är en s.k. luftad damm. Detta är en 140 000 m3 stor vattenbassäng med ytluftare som syresätter vattnet. I dammen lever mikroorganismer vilka utför den största delen av TOC-reduktionen i brukets reningsanläggning. Ett problem med dammen är att reningen av TOC är betydligt sämre vintertid än sommartid. Reduktionen av det till dammen inkommande TOC, är vintertid endast ca 40 % medan den sommartid ligger kring 70-80 %. Denna årstidsvariation kan till stor del förklaras av att vattentemperaturen i dammen sjunker vintertid. Den låga temperaturen medför att den biologiska aktiviteten i dammen sjunker, vilket hämmar TOC-reduktionen. En annan orsak till en låg TOC-reduktion kan vara att det för mikroorganismerna råder brist på biotillgängliga närsalter (kväve och fosfor) som behövs för tillväxt av ny biomassa. I detta examensarbete har det undersökts behovet av närsalter för att höja TOC-reduktionen. I två laborationsdammar (ca 20 l) skedde doseringar av närsalter i syfte att finna en bra doseringskvot som innebar en ökad reduktion av TOC, utan att det blev förhöjda kväve-/fosforhalter i utgående vatten. En av laborationsdammarna höll sommartemperatur (ca 30°C) och en höll vintertemperatur (ca 10°C) vilket gjordes för att undersöka om det var skillnad av närsaltsbehovet mellan sommar och vintertid. Den viktigaste slutsatsen av försöken var att en närsaltsdosering till Skoghalls luftade damm höjer TOC-reduktion vintertid. Det konstaterades att det var kvävet som främst bidrog till den ökade TOC-reduktionen och kväve anses därmed vara det tillväxtbegränsande ämnet vintertid. Fosfor tycktes ha överdoserats under försöken, då det sågs förhöjda halter i utgående vatten, och en optimal dosering av fosfor kunde inte avgöras. Den rekommendation som föll ut av de laborativa försöken var att vintertid dosera kväve och fosfor enligt TOC:N:P-kvot 100:0,75:0,10. Till sommardammen sågs inte någon förbättring av TOC-reduktionen till följd av närsaltstillsatserna, vilket innebär att närsaltsdoseringar sommartid är obefogat. Vidare sågs tendenser till att slammets sedimentationsegenskaper, hos framförallt vinterdammen, blev bättre till följd av närsaltsdosering, men brist på mätdata medför att det är svårt att dra slutsatser om det verkligen varit så.

Målet med detta examensarbete har varit att utföra en energikartläggning på Nymölla Bruk med utgångspunkt i företagets befintliga energiaspektregister. Syftet har varit att tydliggöra hur energianvändningen på Nymölla Bruk ser ut. Bakgrunden till detta arbete är företagets deltagande i programmet för energieffektivisering i energiintensiv industri (PFE). I examensarbetet har en energikartläggning på Nymölla Bruk för år 2010 utförts. Fallstudien delades in i två steg där första steget i studien var att kartlägga energiflödena in och ut från bruket.Andra delen av studien innefattade att kartlägga de interna processerna och deras energiflöden. Energiflödenas storlekar baseras främst på mätdata från processerna, som erhållits från Nymölla Bruks interna loggnings- och mätsystem WinMops. Antaganden som i vissa fall varit nödvändiga bygger på uppskattningar som genomförts i samråd med medarbetare på Nymölla Bruk med insikt i och kunskap om respektive delprocess. Enligt detta examensarbete förbrukades år 2010 cirka 510 GWh el, varav massafabriken förbrukade 50 % och pappersbruket 46 %. Resterande andel utgörs bland annat av mät- och överföringsförluster. Under året tillfördes totalt 2060 GWh bränsle där luten står för cirka 75 %. Från bränslena tillfördes 1800 GWh nyttig värme till ångproduktionen. Total energimängd i producerad ånga uppgick till cirka 2190 GWh (från referensnivå). De största förbrukarna av ånga var papperstillverkningen som använde 32 % och indunstningen som använde 19 % av total energimängd distribuerad med ånga. / The aim of this study was to perform an energy survey of Nymölla Mill on the basis of the company's existing energy aspect register. The aim has been to clarify how the energy at Nymölla Mill is used. The background to this thesis is the company's participation in the Programme for Improving Energy Efficiency in Energy Intensive Industries (PFE). In this thesis an energy survey based on 2010 of Nymölla Mill has been performed. The case study was divided into two stages where the first step in the study was to identify the energy flows in and out of the mill. The second part of the study included identifying the internal processes and their energy flows. Energy flows are based primarily on data from processes, obtained from Nymölla Mill's internal logging and measuring system WinMops. Necessary assumptions were made based on estimates provided in consultation with employees on Nymölla Mill with knowledge and understanding of each sub-process. According to this thesis approximately 510 GWh of electricity were consumed in 2010 of which the pulp factory consumed 50 % and the paper mill 46 %. The remaining portion consists of measurement and transmission losses. A total of 2060 GWh of fuel was added of which liquor accounts for about 75 %. From fuels 1800 GWh of useful heat was added to the steam production. The total amount of energy in the steam was about 2190 GWh (from baseline). The largest consumers of steam was the paper productioning unit using 32 % and the evaporation unit using 19 % of total energy distributed by steam.

This study analyzes the long-term evolution of the North American pulp and paper industry, and offers a new synthesis of the dynamic forces that spearheaded the expansion and transformation of this large manufacturing industry. The evolution of the North American pulp and paper industry between 1860 and 1960 was driven by successive waves of technological learning that spawned structural change. Such waves transformed and expanded the sulphite and sulphate pulp, envelope, paper container, paper bag, magazine and printing paper, coated paper, board, and many other pulp and paper industries between 1860 and 1960. These waves repeated a pattern of co-evolution of technology and industrial organization that enveloped dynamic forces of change, such as innovation, corporate strategies, industrial relocation, and policy. As distinct branches of the pulp and paper industry passed from the early nascent phase to full maturity, the sources of innovation, nature of technological change, strategy and structure of leading firms, and industrial organization underwent throughout transformation. As these waves of industrial change passed from a nascent phase to maturity, the reciprocal dynamics between organization, corporate strategy, policy, and technological learning co-evolved, and established the evolutionary path of the North American pulp and paper industry.

Increased equipment failures and the resultant increase in unplanned downtime as the result of process optimization programs continue to plague pulp mills. The failures are a result of a lack of understanding of corrosion in the different pulping liquors, specifically the parameters responsible for its adjustment such as the role and identification of inorganic and organic species. The current work investigates the role of inorganic species, namely sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, on liquor corrosivity at a range of process conditions beyond those currently experienced in literature. The role of sulfur species, in the activation of corrosion and the ability of hydroxide to passivate carbon steel A516-Gr70, is evaluated with gravimetric and electrochemical methods. The impact of wood chip weathering on process corrosion was also evaluated. Results were used to identify black liquor components, depending on the wood species, which play a significant role in the activation and inhibition of corrosion for carbon steel A516-Gr70 process equipment. Further, the effect of black liquor oxidation on liquor corrosivity was evaluated. Corrosion and stress corrosion cracking performance of selected materials provided information on classes of materials that may be reliably used in aggressive pulping environments.

<p>The risk for climate change is a growing concern for theglobal society. According to what is known as the Kyoto Protocol,developed countries have committed themselves to reduce theirgreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The purpose of this thesis hasbeen to analyse opportunities for CO2 reductions in Swedish pulpand paper mills. The pulp and paper industry accounts forsignificant shares of the Swedish utilisationof both electricityand, in particular, biomass fuels. In this thesis, it has been agoal to focus not only on the technical potential of alternativesfor CO2 reductions in the energy systems of pulp and paper mills,but also on analysing the costeffectiveness of the studiedmeasures. Moreover, the analysis has covered questions concerningthe capacity and willingness among the actors involved with thepulp and paper mills’energy systems to realise CO2reduction potentials.</p><p>A broad techno-economical evaluation of available technologiesfor increased power production as well as more efficient energyutilisation is carried out. Furthermore, a more indepth analysisof pulp mill-based biomass energy with CO2 removal and permanentsequestration (BECS) is presented. An evaluation is made of thepotential for pulp and paper production with a negative CO2balance through the implementation of BECS. In recent yearsoutside suppliers, mainly energy service companies (ESCOs), havebegun to operate energy facilities in some Swedish pulp and papermills. Based on interviews with managers from pulp and papercompanies and ESCOs, the main driving forces behind theincreasing co-operation as well as the opportunities and riskswith energy related co-operation are presented.</p><p>Furthermore, the technical possibility of carbon-negativitythrough the implementation of BECS is discussed in relation tocarbon management on both corporate and global levels. The extentto which CO2-reducing measures in pulp and paper mills arerealised will have an impact on Sweden’s capacity to reachCO2 reduction targets. Whether or not technologies for CO2capture and sequestration are developed and implemented inSwedish pulp mills has a very large impact on the size ofSweden’s long-term CO2 reduction potential. Moreover, thedevelopment of business and competence focus in pulp and papercompanies and ESCOs suggests that cooperation will become ofincreasing importance for future sustainable industrial energymanagement.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>CO2 reduction, pulp and paper industry, energysystem, biomass, CO2 capture and sequestration, black liquor,gasification, power production, outsourcing, sustainable energymanagement</p>

In North America, deepening economic integration under free trade has led to the formation of several cross-border regions between Canada and the United States and such regions have become a significant focus for public policy research in Canada. A key question is whether, as a result of increased economic integration, there are tendencies towards policy and institutional convergence within cross-border regions; especially in areas viewed as critical in determining competitive economic advantage. One such area is employment relations. However, relatively little research has focused on how, or even if, employment relations are changing within cross-border regions. Previous studies comparing differences and similarities in employment relations between Canada and the United States have tended to focus on one of three scales: the nation, the firm, or the individual workplace. Here, the focus is on employment relations within a cross-border region. Such regions often share similar economic and social characteristics. Thus, we might expect that if cross-national employment relations are becoming more similar due to deepening economic integration this would manifest most clearly at this scale. The empirical focus is the forest products industry in the cross-border region of Cascadia, comprised of British Columbia, Washington state, and Oregon. Employment relations are compared across three components of the forest products industry: pulp and paper, solid wood processing, and logging. Data are organized around case studies of each component and focus on employment, wages, and productivity; the restructuring of firms and ownership; the labour movement; work practices, training, and the reproduction of the labour force. The dissertation concludes that employment relations in the pulp and paper and logging industries in Cascadia are becoming more similar cross-nationally, while those in solid wood processing are increasingly differentiated cross-nationally. Moreover, it concludes that employment relations in British Columbia’s solid wood processing and pulp and paper industry are becoming more similar, while employment relations in the PNW solid wood processing and pulp and paper industries are increasingly differentiated. The dissertation contributes to broader debates in economic geography by examining the tensions between national and sub-national political economic actors contribute to the production of scale and territory. / Thesis (Ph.D, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2010-05-28 11:48:30.745