President’s introduction
LOOKING FORWARD What can we look forward to? Great things!
Recovered paper is now a world commodity, customers have driven excessive packaging out of the supply chain, Government and environmentalists have demanded environmentally friendly paper products, and consumers want still more convenience to make their lives easier. Food waste and damaged products are seen as a major negative contribution to society. The UK retail trade leads Europe in its methodology and product offering and we are partners with them especially in the corrugated and tissue sectors.
On top of all this, society demands less carbon, less pollution to waterways and the environment, better energy utilisation and more efficient use of all resources.
Our industry is in exactly the right place to achieve these goals and aspirations. We are investing well. A recent example in our sector is Palm Paper, in Kings Lynn, which is the most modern newsprint machine producing 400,000 tonnes a year.
Saica has continued with a new state of the art containerboard machine at Partington, near Manchester. Again providing jobs and light-weight paper for the UK corrugated sector. DS Smith, as a UK-based plc, is investing approximately €1.6bn in the acquisition of the
UK businesses of Sweden’s SCA Packaging. Iggesund Paperboard is investing over £100m at Workington to eliminate fossil fuel carbon emissions.
Others continue to make clever investments in plant and machines.
So it’s not all bad news!
The marketplace is more demanding than ever. And the role of your Industry Trade Association is critical – ignore it at your peril.
I can tell you that 20 years ago, one of CPI’s forerunners had offices based in central London in Argyle Street next to the London Palladium. The number of staff was more than three times what it is today and the threat from legislation was considerably less.
The UK has a lot going for it but the political rhetoric about manufacturing is, I’m afraid, stronger than the action. However, MPs want to know what we want - so we must tell them. There is a lot of complexity out there and David Workman and the excellent CPI team of experts are there to ensure we give coherent and strong guidance that parliamentarians can understand.
Lobbying on the climate change levy saves our industry approximately £20m a year.
Water regulations will have a major cost input unless we are alert.
Health and Safety, through the tripartite work of PABIAC, has helped to make our industry safer than ever.
The confusion of the Government over the collection of waste and localism has been a major cost to councils and affected the quality of recovered paper into our mills.
The Energy Intensive Users Group, which we have been a significant part of, has brought the realisation to the Government that subsidies in some parts of Europe have put UK manufacturing businesses such as Paper at a severe disadvantage.
All of this aside, the UK Paper Industry directly employs approximately 25,000 people who can be proud of their endeavours, so we must lead them well and give them the tools to do their job.
I am very encouraged by the changes we have seen in our industry. The journey has been difficult and we are yet to arrive. Stewardship of our industry is essential and I wish our new president well in his endeavours which will be greatly aided by your full support.
Bob McLellan
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