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2025 Vol.57, Issue 4

Review

Fractal Science and Innovation: A Roadmap to the AI Era for the Pulp and Paper Industry
Young Chan Ko1
,
Soon Wan Kweon2
,
Byoung Geun Moon3
,
Jong-Moon Park4
,
Hyoung Jin Kim5†
1YK Consulting Co., Ltd., CEO
2Department of Forest Products and Biotechnology, Kookmin University, Graduate Student
3Consumer Product Division Packaging Technology Center, Korea Conformity Laboratories, Senior Researcher
4Department of Wood & Paper Science, Chungbuk National University, Emeritus Professor
5Department of Forest Products and Biotechnology, Kookmin University, Professor
†Corresponding Author: E-mail: hyjikim@kookmin.ac.kr (Address: Department of Forest Products and Biotechnology, Kookmin University, Chengju, 28644, Republic of Korea)
30 August 2025. pp. 5-18
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Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes global industrial paradigms, the pulp and paper industry faces increasing pressure to evolve beyond traditional efficiency-driven models. This paper introduces the concept of fractal science and innovation—a framework grounded in fractal geometry and nature’s self-organizing principles—as a novel approach to enabling creative and adaptive transformation. We explore how fractal thinking can inform process design, resource optimization, and automation, thereby fostering more intelligent, responsive, and resilient operations. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human expertise, we argue that its true potential emerges when integrated with visionary leadership and system architectures inspired by recursive and decentralized design principles. By embedding fractal science into both strategic frameworks and technical workflows, the pulp and paper industry can advance toward a more sustainable, agile, and innovation-driven future in the AI era.

Keywords
Fractal geometry
artificial intelligence
3-D printing
adaptive manufacturing
sustainability
sustainable growth strategy
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Information
  • Publisher :Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국펄프종이공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korea TAPPI
  • Journal Title(Ko) :펄프종이기술
  • Volume : 57
  • No :4
  • Pages :5-18
  • Received Date : 2025-08-08
  • Revised Date : 2025-08-16
  • Accepted Date : 2025-08-16
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7584/JKTAPPI.2025.8.57.4.5
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