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European Pulp and Paper Industry Welcomes Bioeconomy
Feb. 15, 2012 (Press Release) - The European pulp and paper industry welcomes the strategy on "Innovating for Sustainable growth: A bioeconomy for Europe" launched by the European Commission [Feb. 13] and looks forward to its timely implementation, says the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI). According to CEPI, the EU can create a first mover advantage on global markets, if this bioeconomy strategy leads to a true system shift and finds its place in a broader industrial policy agenda.
“The action plan presented by the Commission today is a good start and a great step forward,” said Teresa Presas, CEPI Director General. "Our sector already represents a large part of the bioeconomy in terms of volume and value. Also our industries’ expertise in forestry, recycling, wood chemistry and fibre processing provides a unique know-how for the bioeconomy." Already today the pulp and paper sector uses forest fibre as a renewable and low-carbon resource to also produce bio-chemicals, viscose for textiles as well as industrial vanillin and many other bio-based products, CEPI explained. CEPI expects the communication to lead to a comprehensive policy approach, ensuring enough biomass is available to develop the bio-based economy through provisions in the EU Energy policy and the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. The recently launched CEPI 2050 roadmap fully embraces the bioeconomy by defining a technology roadmap and the required policy agenda for a decarbonisation of the forest fibre sector. "Our roadmap gives practical input to the debate. It perfectly fits in the bioeconomy strategy of the European Union," Presas said. "It also shows our potential to develop a high-added value, low-carbon forest fibre industry." For further information on "Forest Fibre Industry 2050 Roadmap to a Low-carbon Bio-economy" visit: www.unfoldthefuture.eu SOURCE: CEPI |
Teresa Presas, CEPI's Director General