CEPIPRINT, CEPIFINE Merge to Form Euro-Graph
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CEPIPRINT, the Association of European publication paper producers, and CEPIFINE, the Confederation of European fine paper industries have joined forces to create a new Association based in Brussels, Belgium. The Association, to be known as Euro-Graph, will represent more than 30 companies, operating some 100-plus paper mills in Europe, with an annual capacity of approximately 45 million metric tons of graphic papers.
The merger allows the graphic paper sector, the largest within the European pulp, paper and packaging industry, to stand united before the common challenges posed by new and electronic media, the merged associations note, adding that the new entity "will aim to further improve the quality of market statistics and analysis for its members, as well as addressing cross-sector issues such as sustainability and communication, while benefiting from streamlined and simplified processes and working procedures."
In spite of the new name, which should help in reducing the confusion between different Associations, Euro-Graph will remain closely linked to CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries. Members of Euro-Graph will continue to fully support the work and activities of CEPI.
Jyrki Ovaska, president of the paper business group at UPM and currently chairman of CEPIPRINT, will be chairman of Euro-Graph.
The organization will also be represented by Vice-Chairman of Fine Paper Paolo Mattei of Lecta/Cartiere del Garda, currently chairman of CEPIFINE, and by Vice-Chairman of Mechanical Paper Henrik Sjolund, managing director of Holmen Paper.
Emanuele Bona, currently director general of CEPIPRINT, will be in charge of the daily management of the association, taking on the same position in Euro-Graph.
Frank Leerkotte, managing director of CEPIFINE, will leave the association to concentrate all of his efforts on the Print Power/TwoSides campaign, a major communication project supported and funded by the entire print value chain.
"The transformation of the paper industry that we have witnessed over the past few years is now moving to the paper associations," Ovaska said. "The merger of CEPIPRINT and CEPIFINE into Euro-Graph represents a historic development for an industry that is aiming at improving its effectiveness, cohesion, and quality of products and services."
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