Paper Technology International 2026 foreword by Jori Ringman, Cepi

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
Foreword
Robustness and resilience
The global pulp and paper industry is once again navigating a
period when external pressures are as intense as the internal
expectations we set for ourselves. Around the world, producers
are confronting a hard economic climate—one marked by shifting
trade dynamics, volatile energy markets, geopolitical uncertainty,
and changing consumer behaviour. Yet the de昀椀ning characteristic
of our sector has never been the absence of dif昀椀culty. It has been
our ability to respond to dif昀椀culty with clarity, innovation, and a long
term view.
In times like these, I am reminded of the distinction between
robustness and resilience. Robustness enables an organisation—
or an entire industry—to absorb shocks without losing its essential
identity. Resilience goes further: it allows us not only to withstand
challenges but to reorganise, adapt, and emerge stronger.
Our sector has consistently demonstrated both. From digital
transformation to decarbonisation, from new circular business
models to the expansion of 昀椀bre based solutions, global pulp and
paper companies have shown that they are capable of evolving
without losing sight of what makes this industry unique.
Nature offers a 昀椀tting analogy. Forests around the world endure
hard seasons—periods of drought, storms, or cold—only to
regenerate with renewed vigour. Growth follows winter not by
accident, but because these cycles are intrinsic to renewal. Our raw
material, wood 昀椀bre, comes from this same biological reality. And
our industry re昀氀ects it: diverse, adaptive, deeply rooted, and always
capable of new growth after disruption.
Today’s challenges, seen through this lens, are not roadblocks but catalysts. As Marcus Aurelius reminded
us, what stands in the way becomes the way. Global demand for renewable, recyclable and climate friendly
materials is rising. The world is searching for alternatives to fossil based products. Circularity and carbon
neutrality are no longer aspirations—they are imperatives. This positions our sector not on the margins of
the future economy, but squarely at its centre.
The coming years will require courage, collaboration, and sustained investment. But I remain con昀椀dent
that the global pulp and paper industry will continue to demonstrate why it remains one of the most resilient
industrial ecosystems in the world.
Winter will pass. Growth will follow. And our industry will be ready.
Jori Ringman
Director General
Cepi.org
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