Pulp & Paper

Historically integrated industry players are facing extensive changes and new challenges:

• Decline in activity on historical markets (widespread decrease in paper consumption due to dematerialisation) and growth in new regions of consumption (BRIC, emerging economies)
• Tougher environmental constraints in all manufacturing phases (forestry, pulp production, printing, distribution)
• Heightened pressure on costs and eroded margins given increased commodities and energy prices

To reinforce their leadership, paper and pulp companies must:

• Expand to new markets and anticipate the advent of new rivals
• Control the entire production chain, including distribution, to meet new demand (e.g. management of recovery/recycling)
• Innovate to offer high value-added paper products and provide clients with a real service offering (e.g. green services), rather than offering mere commodities
• Maintain competitiveness by keeping costs under control and achieving operational efficiency, while anticipating new environmental constraints