• An overview of mega trends in packaging  
• A review of the current market dynamics 
• Key demand drivers: demographics, usage rates, and growth in per-capita income  

• Key challenges faced by the wood-based sector
• Europe’s fiber security future – demand outpacing supply
• Proactive measures to secure fiber supply – preview of insights from a new scientific study, conducted within the science-business collaboration “TeamingUp4Forests”

Increasing numbers of mill owners are choosing to convert paper machines to packaging and other grades as the decline in graphic paper continues. But machine conversion is far from simple, carries significant cost – and risks. This session will consider the risk and opportunities of machine conversion, and look at successful cases.

New to the Europe Conference or here on your own? Why not join us for an exclusive opportunity to meet the Fastmarkets team, and other new delegates ahead of the main cocktail reception. Flag your areas of interest and our team will help introduce you to people who could be right up your street.

**Only open to first time delegates 

This workshop points the way to greater cost-effectiveness and improved, more sustainable decision-making. Enhance supply chain efficiency with AI integration in your order-to-cash manufacturing execution system. And analyze data to optimize resource utilization, improve product quality and forecast production effectively.

• Geopolitical headwinds – how will they impact the paper and packaging sector?
• Sustainability and innovation developments
• Industry mega-trends 
• Changing trade flows

• World economic drivers for forest products industry
• Inflation and recession status update
• How is Europe’s economy affected by these factors?
• Exploring sector performance and profitability
• Financing in the content of ESG

• Global demand growth driven by emerging markets
• European market in a lull 
• Turkish investments continue and partly target export markets
• How has the away from home sector recovered post-pandemic?

• Success factors for Turkish tissue export growth
• Will investment in Turkey’s tissue industry continue?

Interested in meeting people and discussing specific issues over lunch? Join one of our networking topic tables: Tissue, Pulp & Recovered paper, Mill Intelligence & Benchmarking, Packaging, Sustainability & Innovation, Turkish Market.

• The role of legislation – and depoliticising infrastructure decisions (currently no mandated collection ratio)
• What’s behind the slump in recycling rates? 
• How to address Europe’s recycled fiber degradation? How do we maintain high-quality recycled fiber within Europe?
• What does ‘good’ look like, and what’s the industry cost?
• The role of legislation – and depoliticising infrastructure decisions

• Weak demand conditions slowing the containerboard demand recovery
• Increasing capacity will exacerbate the oversupply situation
• Falling operating rates could threaten producers’ profitability and push capacity out of the market

• What are the drivers for the capacity changes? Will anything change in the coming year?
• What are the alternatives to consolidation and mill closures to mitigate the impact of capacity issues? 
• How does the risk of closure impact funding and investment? 
• How do pulp and paper grades differ when it comes to capacity adjustments? 
• Trends between organic growth vs M&A activity

Secure your tickets to the awards here: https://www.fastmarkets.com/events/forest-products-europe/ppi-awards-2024/

You are invited to take part in an empowering and collaborative session at the ‘Women in Forest Products Breakfast Roundtable’. Celebrating the exceptional leadership of women in the pulp, paper, and packaging sector, participants will engage in discussions delving into the industry’s evolving roles, as well as exploring pathways for diversification and advancement. Moderated to ensure fruitful exchanges, the boardroom style breakfast promises invaluable insights into the industry’s future, including emerging trends and inclusivity initiatives. Don’t miss the exclusive opportunity to be part of a dynamic dialogue shaping the future of the forest products industry.

• Mid-term outlook for energy prices and their key drivers
• Emerging challenges of a climate-neutral energy system
• Alternative and future energy carriers – biomass and hydrogen

• The investment cycle for new market pulp capacity is winding down, when will markets begin to tighten up?
• Can we expect a return to “normal” seasonal demand patterns in 2024?
• Synchronized demand growth: Will pulp buyers in Europe, North America and China come into alignment or remain decoupled?

• Review of global paper for recycling demand and supply dynamics 
• The effects of regulations on European paper for recycling markets
• Future paper for recycling availability

• Consumer trends and insights – how higher costs are impacting behaviours
• Plastic substitution trends
• Supply challenges and change in trade flows

• A deep look into the actual situation and main demand drivers of the European boxboard and sack kraft markets’ demand
• Outlook for the European boxboard and sack kraft markets over the next two years 
• Threats, challenges, and opportunities for the boxboard and sack kraft markets, including new regulations, plastic substitution, and high wood prices.

• Do consumers really need graphic papers?
• Industry still in oversupply even when considering latest announcements. 
• Rising cost inflation and low operating rates continue threatening producers’ margins. Is this the new normal?
• Two year outlook of the European graphic paper industry

• The impact of the Red Sea conflict on global trade dynamics 
• The effect of extended shipping routes on supply and demand
• How will the European industry be affected by the developments?
• What lies ahead for freight passing through this region?