The latest technologies, employee awareness, collaboration between national & supranational authorities, regulations, and a contingency plan are contributing to our efforts in protecting ourselves.
The Pulp, Paper & Fibre Europe Day 2024, held on June 4th in Espoo, Finland, brought together decision makers from the European paper industry. The theme of the event was business safety.
In today's world, safety holds utmost significance for companies due to the rising number and impact of cybercrime. Fortunately, methods to protect ourselves from these attacks are constantly evolving. The latest technologies, employee awareness, collaboration between national and supranational authorities, regulations, and a robust contingency plan are all contributing to our efforts in protecting ourselves.
In the past 15 years, the global paper industry has witnessed a shift towards a stronger focus on packaging and tissue production. Additionally, the overall capacity in Europe has remained relatively stable, albeit with significant changes in the product mix. The production of printing and writing paper, as well as newsprint, has experienced a decline during this period. This also means changes in the playing field, for example, Turkey is becoming very important producer of containerboard capacity.
Sustainability is a top priority for forest companies, along with energy considerations. However, gas remains a significant energy source, especially in the manufacturing of recycled containerboard. Substantial investments are being made towards sustainable production practices, which go hand in hand with digital transformation initiatives and consumers’ demands. (I covered the European market outlook also in my previous blog post Forecasting the Forest Industry.
A new EU regulation is being implemented to promote the consumption of 'deforestation-free' products and reduce the European Union's contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation. This regulation covers seven key commodities: wood, cattle, rubber, palm oil, soybean, coffee, and cocoa.
There are approximately 700 active mills in the EU that produce tissue, board, and paper (excluding non-wovens). The new regulation mandates that companies, both large and small, must comply with the EUDR by different deadlines. Large companies are required to comply by December 30, and small and medium-sized companies have until June 2025 to meet the compliance requirements. Anyway, the majority of paper mills in Europe are classified as large companies.
In order to thrive in the business world, paper companies require step-by-step digital business transformation and the harmonization of business processes, encompassing people, processes, and technology. This begins with establishing a strong digital foundation through automation and efficiency. The next step involves leveraging analytics and optimization techniques, ultimately leading to the development of new essential services that enable digital business. A case study conducted by our customer, Arctic Paper, exemplifies the significance of these efforts.
Another example of effectiveness improvements, particularly in communication within mills, is demonstrated by Metsä Group. They aimed to replace outdated paper-based processes and ensure seamless communication among mill teams through real-time data and dashboard visibility. This objective was achieved through the implementation of the Tietoevry’s TIPS Operations Management System, which enhances production by integrating production knowledge and process data, ensuring that every mill has access to the same information.
The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed the world, but the evolution and development of more sophisticated intelligent services are ongoing also in the paper industry. This indicates advancements in both technologies and service offerings, as well as the need for continuous learning and active participation in this rapidly changing landscape. AI technology is anyway already here and, for example, 61% Nordic organizations in Finland are already using AI (source: Microsoft).
We are glad to inform you that Tietoevry is well-equipped to assist you with all the aforementioned challenges.
“The TIPS (MES) All-in-One system, designed for pulp, paper, board, nonwoven, tissue, and packaging companies, was launched last week at our event. It ensures easy-to-understand service models that lead to seamless, secure, and business-safe migrations on the fly, tailored to meet your demanding business needs," says Jyri Jokinurmi, Director of Pulp, Paper, Board, and Nonwoven industries at Pulp, Paper & Fibre, Tietoevry Industry.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your requirements further! www.tietoevry.com/tipspaper
Click this link to see some highlights of the Pulp, Paper & Fibre Europe Day 2024
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