Award Winners

We are delighted to announce that Andy Silvernail, CEO of International Paper, has been named the 2026 Fastmarkets Forest Products International CEO of the Year. Selected by investment analysts and portfolio managers covering the global forest products sector, Silvernail was recognized for accelerating International Paper’s transformation at scale—anchored by the completion of the DS Smith acquisition. Over the past year, the company has advanced regulatory-driven actions to optimize its European footprint, including exclusive negotiations to divest five European corrugated box plants as part of commitments tied to the DS Smith deal. At the same time, International Paper has pushed forward on major strategic and operational changes, positioning the company to improve service levels, strengthen its cost position, and better concentrate investment where it can create the most value.

Fastmarkets is pleased to announce that Henrik Sjölund, CEO of Holmen Paper, has been named the 2026 Fastmarkets Forest Products European CEO of the Year. Over the past year, Sjölund has continued to strengthen Holmen’s European position by combining disciplined performance with tangible operational progress. Even amid a difficult European demand backdrop, Holmen highlighted that its Board and Paper business performed well, supported by the company’s ability to adapt operations to volatile electricity-market conditions. In addition, Holmen has progressed practical readiness work tied to evolving European requirements, including steps linked to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), reinforcing customer confidence in traceability and compliance.

We are proud to announce that Anita Sjölander, CEO of Nordic Paper, has been named Fastmarkets’ 2026 Woman of the Industry. Over the past year, Sjölander has led Nordic Paper through a demanding market environment while keeping the company focused on resilient performance, pricing discipline, and strategic investments that strengthen both competitiveness and sustainability credentials. In 2025, Nordic Paper approved up to SEK 450 million in environmental investments related to water handling at the Bäckhammar mill—an important step supporting a new production permit framework and enabling potential production growth over time. Alongside this, the company has continued progressing major capex initiatives at Bäckhammar, including investments in a new wood room and electrofilters—projects Nordic Paper has highlighted as central to improving long-term operational efficiency and sustainability performance.