UPM's Pesonen Named Next Chairman of CEPI

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI), Brussels, Belgium, has named Jussi Pesonen, president and CEO of UPM-Kymmene Corp. of Finland since January 2004, its next chairman. Pesonen will begin his chairmanship on January 1. Barry Wiersum, current CEPI chairman, will take the position of vice-chairman for the next two years to help assure a smooth transition.

Pesonen noted that "the forest fiber industry is the leading producer of bioenergy and renewable wood-based bioproducts in Europe. European consumers are most definitely interested in seeing positive progress in substituting oil-based products with renewable and recyclable bioproducts. Therefore, European policy makers should ensure a competitive operating environment for this industry."

Pesonen added that "we need the continued carbon-leakage status for 2015 - 2020 to remain competitive. Also, the EU Renewable Energy Policy, by subsidizing biomass for energy use, threatens the supply of essential raw materials for our industry. At a regional level, the sulfur directive of marine fuels increases transport costs in Northern Europe to uncompetitive levels."

TAPPI
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