Tuesday, 23 May 2017 09:37

Global Forest and Paper Industry CEOs Discuss Future

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The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) eighth biennial International CEO Roundtable has taken place in Berlin, Germany. More than 20 forest based industry CEOs and association leaders from around the world met to discuss industry innovation, sustainability aspects, current political aspects and future trends that may impact the industry at local and international levels.  

cepi blue“The global forest and paper industry stands firm in achieving its sustainability commitments based on its common values. Today’s conference provides us with an opportunity to reaffirm these values in today’s interconnected and fast-paced world,” said Peter Oswald, Mondi Group CEO designate (from 11 May 2017), who chaired the roundtable.

The CEOs discussed industry improvements in sustainability practices and innovation. They also watched the 3 global finalists of the Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovations Award presenting their projects in a wide range of activities relevant to forest-based science, products using forest-based raw materials, process improvements or other innovations throughout the value chain. The global finalists of the Award and their respective projects can be found at http://www.icfpa.org/who-we-are/blue-sky-young-researcher-and-innovation-award

Keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Michael Huether, economist and director of the Institute der deutschen Wirtschaft, provided insights about the effects of Global Political Disruption on the forest based industry.

The next ICFPA International CEO Roundtable will take place in Canada in 2019.

The ICFPA represents more than 30 national and regional forest and paper associations around the world.

For more information about the sustainability of the global forest and paper industry, visit icfpa.org.

Winners of Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Award

Against the backdrop of these discussions, the ICFPA announced the winners of the Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Award, a global award that aims to stimulate interest by young researchers carrying out projects in a wide range of activities relevant to forest-based science, products as well as process improvements or other innovation throughout the value chain.

The theme of the 2016-2017 global competition was “Game Changing Technologies for the Forest and Paper Industries – Unfolding Potential of Forest, Paper and Wood-Based Products”. Each participating country nominated national candidates to compete internationally. This year, 12 projects were nominated by ICFPA members to the international phase. Based on the assessment of a jury composed of experts of different regions and organisations, three winners were selected:

-       Koh Sakai, with the project ‘Cellulose nanofibres prepared by phosphorylation’

-       Shuji Fujisawa, with the project ‘Biocompatible nanocellulose/polymer composite microparticles formed by emulsion-templated synthesis’

-       Esthevan Gasparoto, with the project ‘Cutting-edge technologies for forest monitoring and measurement’

Two South African students among finalists

South Africa’s Sonja Boshoff and Ryan Merckel won the South African round and were counted among the 12 finalists. Boshoff’s work looked at the potential of biological and thermochemical technologies for the conversion of solid waste streams from paper and pulp mills into energy. She is currently a research engineer at Mpact Paper, Stellenbosch.

Merckel pitched his research on Catalytic Pyrolysis for Upgrading of Bio-oil. He has recently been selected as an exchange student with Malardalen University in Sweden. He is doing his PHd through the University of Pretoria as part of the PAMSA co-funded project with the Department of Science and Technology. 

“The ICFPA congratulates all the participants and the global winners of the first edition of this global competition. We believe it is important to foster knowledge and stimulate innovative research among young researchers.  Our industry is a vibrant and dynamic workplace for the future and therefore we will continue our support of students and young professionals”, said ICFPA President Elizabeth de Carvalhaes.  

For more information on the award and researchers finalists: http://www.icfpa.org/who-we-are/blue-sky-young-researcher-and-innovation-award

The ICFPA represents more than 30 national and regional forest and paper associations around the world. For more information about the sustainability of the global forest and paper industry, visit icfpa.org.

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