Emanuele Bona · VP Europe, Pulp & Paper Products Council (PPPC) · Print Matters 2026
At Intergraf Print Matters in Budapest, Morten Reitoft speaks with Emanuele Bona, Vice President Europe at PPPC, following a presentation that offered a realistic assessment of the long-term decline in graphic paper consumption across Europe and the broader changes reshaping the paper industry.
While the numbers may appear challenging at first glance, the conversation quickly reveals a more nuanced picture of an industry that has spent years adapting to changing market realities. Emanuele explains how paper producers have diversified beyond traditional graphic papers, moving into packaging grades, specialty papers, recycled fiber applications, and even energy production. Many companies have successfully transformed their business models to remain profitable despite significantly lower volumes than in previous decades.
The discussion explores the factors that have shaped the industry in recent years, from the financial crisis and the pandemic to geopolitical tensions, inflation, and energy costs. As one of Europe’s most energy-intensive industries, paper manufacturing has faced extraordinary challenges, yet many producers have continued to invest in efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
Morten and Emanuele also discuss the role of recycled fibers, the balance between recycled and virgin fiber content, and why different applications require different paper qualities. While recycled papers play an increasingly important role in sustainability strategies, certain premium applications still depend on high-quality virgin fibers to meet customer expectations and technical requirements. The conversation also touches on the challenges associated with declining paper consumption, where lower volumes can create new pressures on fiber availability and recycling systems.
Looking beyond the statistics, Emanuele argues that the industry is entering a new phase. Traditional segments such as newspapers, magazines, and catalogs continue to decline, but opportunities remain in commercial print, specialty papers, labels, and other higher-value applications. As producers continue adapting their portfolios and business models, the pace of decline may eventually slow, creating a more balanced and sustainable market environment.
A candid and insightful conversation about market realities, sustainability, recycled fibers, specialty papers, and how the European paper industry is adapting to a future that is very different from its past.
No Data Found.
Content for this section will appear here once available
Fri June 5th
Laetitia Reynaud · European Policy Advisor Â...
At Intergraf Print Matters in Budapest, Morten Reitoft speaks with Laetitia Reynaud, Policy Advisor at Intergraf, about one of the most important—and often most complex—topics facing the European printing industry: legislation. As one of Intergraf’s leading experts on sustainability, environmental policy, and regulatory affairs, Laetitia works at the intersection of industry and European policymaking. Her role involves helping printers understand new legislation, representing industry interests in Brussels, and ensuring that the voice of the printing sector is heard as new regulations are developed. The conversation explores several major legislative initiatives affecting printers, including packaging regulations, sustainability requirements, environmental reporting, and the long-term implementation timelines often associated with European legislation. Laetitia explains why rules that may not come fully into effect until 2040 still require attention today, as businesses need time to adapt, invest, and prepare for future compliance requirements. Morten and Laetitia also discuss the challenge of making complex legislation understandable and relevant for printers. Using examples from packaging regulations, they explore how legal definitions can sometimes appear surprising—or even confusing—and how political compromises often shape the final outcome of legislation. A key topic is the relationship between regulation and simplification. While many businesses feel burdened by increasing compliance requirements, Laetitia explains that much of the legislation currently being implemented originates from policy decisions made several years ago under the European Green Deal. At the same time, current political discussions within the European Union increasingly focus on reducing administrative burdens and simplifying compliance, particularly for smaller businesses. The interview also offers insight into how Intergraf works within the European legislative process. As a relatively small association representing a highly diverse industry, collaboration with suppliers, customers, and partner organizations is often essential to ensure that the printing industry's concerns are understood and considered by policymakers. A highly informative discussion about European legislation, sustainability, packaging regulations, regulatory simplification, and the critical role industry associations play in helping printers navigate an increasingly complex business environment.