Separately bookable, Limited spaces available

This workshop is designed to help define key sustainability metrics for the packaging and containerboard industry. Understand how to measure and track these metrics. and identify opportunities to improve the sustainability of packaging and containerboard products. 

– Optimising for Agility and Resilience: Explore strategies for building a more agile and responsive supply chain to navigate potential disruptions, including supplier diversification, nearshoring, and scenario planning. 

– Examine how containerboard CEOs can leverage technologies like automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize production processes, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency. 

– Building the Workforce of the Future: Explore strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing a skilled workforce equipped to handle the demands of a digital and automated future.  

– What is on the horizon for the mega macro trends, including the Impact of 2024: Analyse the lingering effects of the pandemic, market volatility, and other factors 

– A closer look into sustainability and the impact of regulations and shifting consumer sentiment, including substrate preferences and the willingness to pay for sustainability 

– The industry’s transformation: Megatrends of Gen AI and AI and presenting use cases

– Global macroeconomic outlook
– Where is the US economy heading 
– The key drivers of economic growth from forest products industry perspective 

The pulp, packaging, and containerboard industry is witnessing a wave of consolidation, with companies seeking scale and resilience in a challenging market. Recent mega-mergers have reshaped the competitive landscape, prompting critical questions about the future. 

This panel discussion will bring together industry experts to delve into the M&A landscape and explore what lies ahead: 

– Analysing the drivers of consolidation
– Mega-Merger Impact: Explore the potential long-term implications of recent mega-mergers, including their impact on pricing dynamics, competition, and product innovation.
– What potential divestment strategies could be seen? When might companies look to shed non-core assets or streamline operations? What are the benefits of such divestitures?
– How can smaller companies compete and innovate in this environment? 

– What is driving the increased volatility in pulp price cycles and what are the long-term implications for the industry
– Has enough softwood pulp capacity come out of the market, and is hardwood capacity also at risk ?
– How have the past two years changed the competitive landscape for global softwood pulp producers?
– Why has so much fluff pulp and dissolving pulp capacity closed in North America ?

– How current market dynamics are impacting their businesses and how they are adapting their strategies for success. 

– Analyse the impact of plastic substitution on corrugated board demand and supply chains. Will this lead to increased corrugated consumption or create new challenges for end users? 

How can containerboard companies strike a balance between delivering strong financial performance while meeting evolving sustainability expectations and exploring new growth avenues?

– What to expect for demand growth as we move past destocking/restocking cycles
– For how long will the European containerboard market remain in oversupply?
– Why EUDR matters to the global containerboard market
– Key risks and uncertainties for the European containerboard industry 

– How will businesses implement the shift towards sustainable packaging?
– Rise of reusable packaging
– Increased costs and innovation- could this lead to more investment in innovative packaging design and recycling technologies? 

– What are macroeconomic indicators suggesting for demand?
– When will Asia’s market become better balanced?
– How will fiber influence the market?
– What are the key risks and uncertainties?

– A closer look into sustainability integration into the supply chain- challenges and opportunities
– Technology Advancements- Embracing the power of AI
– Where next with M&A for our industry? 

– Innovation: Investing in R&D to develop next-generation, eco-friendly packaging solutions. This segment will explore advancements in bio-based materials, closed-loop systems, and design for recyclability. 

-The Regulatory Landscape: A comprehensive discussion on current and upcoming legislation impacting sustainable forestry practices, responsible sourcing, and containerboard production. We’ll delve into industry efforts to stay ahead of the curve and ensure compliance. 

-Beyond Carbon Footprint: A closer look at how the industry can maximise energy efficiency, explore renewable energy sources, and develop carbon sequestration strategies for a truly sustainable future

– Discuss strategies for optimising the supply chain in the face of potential disruptions 

– Exploring the importance of embracing new technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet evolving customer demands 

– Addressing the challenge of labour- the need to invest in workforce development programs to address potential skill gaps and ensure a future-proof workforce 

– What are the key demand & supply trends for Latin America for 2025-2026? 

– How can nearshoring trends in Mexico affect the market? 

– What should drive regional consumption? 

Join the discussion to understand if AI is a liberating force for innovation or a potential disruptor, and discover real-world examples of how mills and converters are already leveraging AI to gain a competitive edge. 

– What does this mean for packaging?
– Is it liberating or fearful? 
– Integrating AI into your supply chain process 
– How is it being used today at mills and converters? 

The eCommerce supply chain has been around for only 25 years. As eCommerce companies grew and added more expertise to their ranks, they started optimizing their logistics and packaging. 

At first, everything was packed in American cases, then slowly moved to more sophisticated boxes mailers, bags and automation.  

The latest wave – driven by consumers and regulation – is moving the portfolio even more towards automation (technology), recycled paper and custom eCommerce packaging (for example: protective mailers) in the future, since the supply chain is now ready for it, we will see the development of custom eCommerce packaging (a combination of existing materials and designs) 

In this session, we will discuss the circularity of fiber-based packaging, responsible forestry, innovative partnerships and the path to decarbonisation. 

– Analyse how geopolitical tensions are impacting containerboard transportation and explore potential mitigation strategies for businesses. 

– Explore strategies for optimising containerboard transportation by leveraging intermodal options, route planning, and collaborative logistics partnerships.