Displaying items by tag: cepi

Thursday, 25 November 2010 16:31

European Paper Industry - the Bio-value Champion

Video presentation on the european paper industry the Bio-value Champion

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Wednesday, 24 November 2010 12:30

European paper industry is at the core of green growth

The European pulp and paper industry today concluded its twelvth European Paper Week announcing that it is well prepared to play an important part in the upcoming bio-economy, which is one main political priority of the EU.

“We are at the core of green growth. The paper industry is perfectly built to support the new bio-economy through it’s knowledge of renewable raw materials, recycling , bio-energy and use of by-products. Paper is part of the solution and our discussions over the last three days have shown how we can support green growth.” said Teresa Presas, Managing Director of CEPI.”

The three-day event brought together over 330 people from the pulp and paper industry, related organisations as well as different institutions and provides a high-level platform for discussion.

At a moment when the European Commission is presenting its flagship initiatives to implement the EU2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the CEPI Annual Meeting provided the opportunity to address some policy views and industry initiatives that could contribute to making green growth a reality.

A panel involving industry representatives from Europe and Canada, as well as Tony Long head of WWF EU Policy Office, and Lars Kjellberg, a paper analyst from Credit Suisse, debated the transformation of the pulp and paper industry and its potential to innovate, from different stakeholder angles.

The key plenary event held during the European Paper Week, saw the contributions from European Parliamentarian Herbert Reul, as well as from Mattia Pellegrini, member of the Cabinet of European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship. They outlined the contents of the new industrial policy, the innovation union as well as the raw materials strategy. Berry Wiersum, Chairman of CEPI said,” we welcome the European Commission proposal for an integrated industrial policy that puts competitiveness at centre stage. We look forward to seeing it implemented in member states. Our sector is ready to deliver”.

The networking event of the year within the pulp and paper industry took place in Brussels at the Crowne Plaza – Le Palace Hotel in Brussels from 16-18 November. This year the event included four interactive seminars on a wide range of topics such as raw materials, climate policy, recycling and transport, which will help shape the work programme for CEPI over the coming year.

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Marco Mensink, CEPI Energy and Environment Director, explains Climate Change in the European paper industry as well as water balance.

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Today, Vice-president Antonio Tajani, European Commissioner for Industry and Enterprise, presented a Communication on a renewed industrial policy - "An industrial policy in the globalisation era: putting competitiveness and sustainability at centre stage". Together with the other EU2020 initiatives, this Communication aims to boost growth and create additional employment in Europe through improving the framework conditions for European industry and facilitate the transformation towards a low carbon economy, mastering globalisation and innovation.

The European paper industry welcomes the Commission’s Communication and its acknowledgement that industry is indeed the base of the new growth model for Europe. The pulp and paper industry - an eco-industry delivering bio-based products - is engaged in and contributes to the transition to low-carbon and resource-efficient EU economy.

To be competitive, Europe, through its renewed industrial policy, must actively support a level playing field for EU industry in a global market. CEPI welcomes the sectoral approach that can bring specific solutions to energy-intensive industries.

 “It is essential that the industrial competitiveness dimension is included in all EU policies”, said Teresa Presas, CEPI Managing Director. All policy measures on a national and European level should go through the “competitiveness-proofing” highlighted in the Communication, respect better-regulation and internal-market principles. They must also reflect an integrated approach for dealing with competitiveness, energy and environmental issues in a sustainable and cost-efficient way.

Technology and key enabling technologies are rightly identified as key drivers for industrial policy to deliver greener and socially inclusive growth. A strong and supportive research framework that steers innovation in European industrial sectors is a key precondition for European competitiveness.   

As correctly mentioned in the Communication, an integrated and ambitious EU industrial policy can succeed only if it is broadly supported by EU institutions, Member States and stakeholders.

CEPI aisbl - The Confederation of European Paper Industries
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is a Brussels-based non-profit making organisation regrouping the European pulp and paper industry and championing this industry’s achievements and the benefits of its products. Its mission is to promote the member’s business sector by taking specific actions notably, by monitoring and analysing activities and initiatives in the areas of industry, environment, energy, forestry, recycling, fiscal policies and competitiveness in general. Through CEPI, the paper industry increases its visibility and acts on emerging issues, making expert and constructive contributions on behalf of the industry.

Its collective expertise provides a unique source of information both for and on the industry; coordinating essential exchanges of experience and knowledge among its members, the ability to provide technical assistance to legislators and to identify independent experts on specific issues. Through its 19 member countries (17 European Union members plus Norway and Switzerland) CEPI represents some 750 pulp, paper and board producing companies across Europe, ranging from small and medium sized companies to multi-nationals, and 1080 paper mills. Together they represent 25% of world production.
Website: www.cepi.org

The value of paper, in its many forms, is at the core of society’s needs. Ensuring its future developments will allow it to realise its full potential. Five values show the benefits of the paper industry and its products to the European society:

o    Paper is natural
o    Paper is essential
o    Paper is innovative
o    Paper is renewable
o    Paper is precious

Our industry is an example to others in its responses to current challenges, not least in mitigating climate change. We practice sustainable forest management, which captures CO2, pursue security of energy supply through renewable energy, and optimise resources through the highest recycling rates. We are a significant provider of employment, and add economic value through the constant harnessing and updating of new technologies.

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The Alliance for a Competitive European Industry (ACEI) welcomes the adoption today of the European Commission communication “An Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era – Putting Competitiveness and Sustainability at Centre Stage”. The Alliance sees in the document the recognition of the major role that manufacturing industries play in the European economy.

Last spring, when launching its manifesto the ACEI called for an EU industrial partnership as a new approach to address the challenges that Europe is facing. It is only by reconciling industry and policy makers that we can successfully create the smart, sustainable and inclusive society that is at the heart of a new industrial policy. The proposed flagship initiative launched today is a decisive step towards that partnership. It will only make a difference if it is implemented in a coordinated approach of the EU institutions, member states and business.

“Vice President Tajani has set the grounds for a truly integrated industrial policy. To achieve results, the industrial competitiveness dimension needs to be included in all EU policies”, says Teresa Presas, Chairman of the ACEI.

Europe is witnessing some recovery from the crisis that has affected all areas of activity over the last two years. Evidence shows that the key driver for that recovery is industrial output and its export capacity. “To be competitive, Europe must actively support open and fair global markets for EU industry. It has to create a hotbed for industrial innovation and job creation in Europe”, adds Philippe de Buck, co-chairman of the Alliance.

In particular, European trade policy needs to be coherent with industrial policy and support the European manufacturing base as well.

The Alliance also welcomes the sectoral perspective taken in the new industrial policy. Although the industrial chain works as a whole and is driven by some common policies such as the Internal Market and free trade, its different links require specific considerations in terms of technology, skills, innovation.

The manufacturing sector looks forward to the implementation of the “competitiveness proofing” as a key tool to reconcile competitiveness and sustainability and support the pledge by industry to remain in Europe.

About us
The Alliance regroups European automotive, chemicals, cement, pulp and paper, food and drink, textile and apparel, electricity, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, oil refining and engineering industries, and BUSINESSEUROPE. Its objective is to promote the competitiveness of European industry on a global scale. Altogether, the sector members of the Alliance employ 23 million people, generating €5 trillion yearly, and contributing with €1.3 trillion added value to the EU GDP.

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Registration for this year’s European Paper Week is open until Tuesday 2 November 2010. The networking event of the year within the pulp and paper industry will take place in Brussels at the Crowne Plaza – Le Palace Hotel in Brussels. From 16-18 November representatives of the paper industry will discuss with industry stakeholders the latest key issues and challenges facing the industry.

European Paper week is open to all and the main events include the CEPI Dinner and CEPI Annual meeting as well as several seminars on current topics of interest, such as ‘Transport’, ‘Climate Change’, ‘Recycling’, ‘Raw materials and ‘Research’. For more details on the registration policy and to access the registration form, visit www.cepi.org/epw

Transport and Future EU policy
Climate change, sustainability and jobs are clearly the top challenges for our society. In December 2009, EU leaders called for international action in line with the EU objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by between 80%-95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. As far as energy-intensive industry sectors - the paper industry is one of them – are concerned, ambitious CO2 emissions reductions targets through the EU Emission Trading Scheme have been adopted for 2020.

Raw Materials, By-products and Biomass - Green Growth with Fibres, Fuels and By-streams
Raw Materials are currently receiving increased attention by EU policy makers. Several initiatives aim at a better grip on raw materials, a more efficient use of resources and at boosting recycling. At the same time, there is a strong focus on renewable energy, exacerbating competition for renewable raw materials, most often fuelled by subsidies. The European Paper Industry is at the crossroads of these discussions, since it is using renewable raw materials for its products and produces renewable energy from them.

Climate Change from 2012 to 2050
This interactive seminar will start where last year’s seminar on the future of the EU Emission Trading System ended and brief you on the state of play on EU ETS benchmarks and free allocation. However, there are many more developments that deserve your attention. The Copenhagen Accord right after CEPI 2009 Paper Week has brought commitments of countries and the EU to a -50% global carbon reduction target by 2050. For the developed world this would mean an almost complete decarbonisation by 2050. In the coming year the European Commission will launch its vision on the 2011-2020 Energy policy, a Roadmap for a 2050 Low Carbon Economy, possibly even including interim targets for 2030 and 2040. The European Council still has to finalise its discussion on a -30% target by 2020, heavily debated this year. The upcoming climate conference in Cancun will most likely not bring a global agreement on climate change, however will bring progress on key issues as land use change and forestry accounting.

Recycling - Closing the European fibre loop
In policy making, waste was long seen as a disposal problem. The Thematic Strategy on recycling (2005) has changed this perspective and recognizes materials such as recovered paper as a valuable resource. For the European Paper Industry recycling means efficient use of its resources, closing the carbon and fibre loops in forests and paper industry, and contributing to EU targets on sustainable production and consumption. The seminar will inform the participants about the review of the thematic strategies on the efficient use of natural resources and recycling, and discuss the paper industry’s position in these developments.

At this year's Annual Meeting on 18 November CEPI is proud to present European Parliamentarian Herbert Reul, as well as Antonio Tajani, European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship. The discussions and presentations will include topics such as Bio-economy, Green Growth, Raw Materials and Transport.

For more information with regard to the European Paper Week, please contact Daniela Haiduc, CEPI Communications and Public Affairs Manager at +32 2 627 49 15 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Social Dialogue Committee for Paper Meets to Discuss Best Practices

Today the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) and the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF) confirmed their commitment to health and safety in the European paper industry. Just before the European Health and Safety Week on 25-29 October 2010, the two organisations met under the auspices of the European Commission for the first plenary meeting of the sectoral social dialogue committee for paper, which focused on health and safety good practices.

Health and safety are key components of sustainability with their human and competitiveness-related dimensions. Through CEPI the industry already committed in 2003 to strive for a zero-accident target” said Teresa Presas, Chairperson of the Paper Sector Social Dialogue. The declining rate of accidents causing an absence of more than three days has already been reduced to 18.6/1000 in 2009.

As a result of the meeting, employees and employers of the European paper industry decided to develop a report on good health and safety practices in a joint project with the support of the European Commission. This good practice guide will then serve the entire industry as a source of inspiration for further improvements to their health and safety performance. Christer Larsson, Vice-Chairman of the Paper Sector Social Dialogue remarked: “It is only natural to learn from each other concerning important issues like today’s item – health and safety”.

On this occasion, Irina Wintermayer from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), who runs a campaign on health and safety called "Healthy workplaces, good for you, good for business", announced that CEPI’s application to become a partner had been accepted. CEPI welcomes this news and will further act and disseminate good practices within the framework of this campaign. EMCEF (SSD paper) expressed its intention to apply to the campaign as well.

The European social dialogue is recognised as a pillar of the European social model. It complements the national practices of social dialogue, while acknowledging the autonomy of social partners and the diversity of industrial relations in Europe. European sectoral social dialogue produces outcomes of practical importance to workers and companies and makes a significant contribution to the governance of the EU as a whole.

For more information, please contact Bernard de Galembert at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Jorma Rusanen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CEPI aisbl - The Confederation of European Paper Industries.

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is a Brussels-based non-profit making organisation regrouping the European pulp and paper industry and championing this industry’s achievements and the benefits of its products. Its mission is to promote the member’s business sector by taking specific actions notably, by monitoring and analysing activities and initiatives in the areas of industry, environment, energy, forestry, recycling, fiscal policies and competitiveness in general. Through CEPI, the paper industry increases its visibility and acts on emerging issues, making expert and constructive contributions on behalf of the industry.

Its collective expertise provides a unique source of information both for and on the industry; coordinating essential exchanges of experience and knowledge among its members, the ability to provide technical assistance to legislators and to identify independent experts on specific issues. Through its 19 member countries (17 European Union members plus Norway and Switzerland) CEPI represents some 760 pulp, paper and board producing companies across Europe, ranging from small and medium sized companies to multi-nationals, and 1080 paper mills. Together they represent 26% of world production.

Website: www.cepi.org

EMCEF -EUROPEAN MINE, CHEMICAL AND ENERGY WORKERS' FEDERATION

Europeis undergoing significant changes regarding political, economic and social aspects of our lives. The EMU, the enlargement towards Central and Eastern Europe as well as the globalisation mean a tremendous challenge for the European Union. That will also affect the work of the Trade Unions.

As Trade Unions we have to take care of the interests of our members in this new environment and pursue the most effective representation of their interests vis a vis the EU institutions and the employers.

This has to go hand in hand with our affiliated national organisations against the background of differing national traditions and cultures. We strongly believe that the European social model is not an illusion. On the contrary, it will strengthen the economic and social cohesion and guarantee peace, freedom and democracy for the whole European continent.

EMCEF today organises 2.5 million workers in 35 countries and 128 national trade unions. One other organisation has the status as observer. EMCEF organises both blue and white-collar workers.

Website: www.emcef.org

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Friday, 03 September 2010 09:30

Europe shows global leadership in recycling

The latest Monitoring report of the European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC) shows that Europe has achieved a world record level of paper recycling in 2009. The rate reached 72.2% which is again higher than the target set in its Commitment for 2010 of 66%. The total amount recycled in paper mills came to 58 million tonnes in 2009.

“The economic recession continued in 2009 and made the paper consumption drop to the level of 1998. This, together with industry’s continued effort to increase recycling made, for the second year in a row, the recycling rate jump up, resulting in a record high 72.2%.” explained Jori Ringman, Secretary of the ERPC. The recycling rate is the ratio between the recycling and the consumption of paper.

A swing in the opposite direction may occur when the economy recovers as recycling may not be able to immediately match up to the reviving paper consumption; the recycling rate is likely to drop, temporarily. In 2010 the recycling rate is estimated to be under 70%, closer to the original target of 66% (±1.5%-points).

“Recycling is intrinsically a self-adjusting mechanism which, with a lag of three to six months, will adapt to any volume of consumption”, Ringman reminded. “In the trend, the industry will continue on its path to meeting ambitious targets of recycling paper at a steadily increasing rate in Europe”, he said. Since 1998, the base year of the first voluntary commitment, the paper industry has increased the annual paper recycling by 45%, growing from less than 40 million tonnes of paper recycled annually to 58 million tonnes last year.

For the commitment period of 2006 to 2010, PricewaterhouseCoopers has independently verified the recycling rate calculations using the International Standard on Assurance Engagements ISAE 3000. The 14 membersof the Council have also made good progress in the qualitative targets laid out in its Commitment particularly with respect to eco-design and waste prevention.

For more information, please contact the ERPC Secretariat, Jori Ringman, at
+32 2 627 49 19, +32 478 255070 (gsm), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.paperrecovery.eu

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European Commission’s DG AGRI, Forest Europe and UNECE-FAO (UN bodies) jointly released a very timely publication giving guidance on how to increase wood supply in Europe. CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, welcomes this publication and encourages all stakeholders in the forestry field to make good use of it.

The document entitled “Good practice guidance on the sustainable mobilisation of wood in Europe” refers to good practice examples of successful and sustainable removal of wood from Europe’s forests, to assist policy-makers and practitioners alike in taking and supporting similar measures.

The publication comes timely for three reasons:

o The target of reaching a 20% share of renewable energy of the total energy consumption can only be fulfilled with a massive additional supply of biomass, especially wood, as CEPI already warned in 2007 on the basis of the findings of a shortage of 260 million m3 of wood by McKinsey.

o The Member States of the EU are to spell out their renewable energy action plans by the end of June 2010. These plans should include provisions for biomass mobilisation.

o Wood is a crucial raw material for the European paper industry and access to it needs to remain cost effective and competitive to ensure the global competitiveness of the industry.

Teresa Presas, CEPI Managing Director: “We thank the European Commission and DG AGRI as well as UNECE-FAO and Forest Europe for having assembled these good practices and for sharing them with all stakeholders. We urge the Member States of the EU to make good use of these practices when elaborating on their national renewable energy action plans.”

The guidance helps decision-makers from administrations and industry, as well as forestry practitioners, make sound choices and implement appropriate actions with respect to all aspects of sustainable wood supply, whilst ensuring sustainable forest management (SFM).

For more information, please contact Daniela Haiduc at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Last week, European Commission’s DG AGRI, Forest Europe and UNECE-FAO (UN bodies) jointly released a very timely publication giving guidance on how to increase wood supply in Europe. CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, welcomes this publication and encourages all stakeholders in the forestry field to make good use of it.

The document entitled “Good practice guidance on the sustainable mobilisation of wood in Europe” refers to good practice examples of successful and sustainable removal of wood from Europe’s forests, to assist policy-makers and practitioners alike in taking and supporting similar measures.

The publication comes timely for three reasons:

o        The target of reaching a 20% share of renewable energy of the total energy consumption can only be fulfilled with a massive additional supply of biomass, especially wood, as CEPI already warned in 2007 on the basis of the findings of a shortage of 260 million m3 of wood by McKinsey.

o        The Member States of the EU are to spell out their renewable energy action plans by the end of June 2010. These plans should include provisions for biomass mobilisation.

o        Wood is a crucial raw material for the European paper industry and access to it needs to remain cost effective and competitive to ensure the global competitiveness of the industry.

Teresa Presas, CEPI Managing Director: “We thank the European Commission and DG AGRI as well as UNECE-FAO and Forest Europe for having assembled these good practices and for sharing them with all stakeholders. We urge the Member States of the EU to make good use of these practices when elaborating on their national renewable energy action plans.

The guidance helps decision-makers from administrations and industry, as well as forestry practitioners, make sound choices and implement appropriate actions with respect to all aspects of sustainable wood supply, whilst ensuring sustainable forest management (SFM).

For more information, please contact Daniela Haiduc at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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