UPM’s CEO and CEPI’s next chairman Jussi Pesonen: “EU needs a competitive forest fibre industry to reach carbon neutrality”

(CEPI and UPM, Brussels,12 December 2011 at 11.00) - The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jussi Pesonen as next CEPI chairman. Mr Pesonen is the CEO of UPM-Kymmene Corporation and of Finnish nationality. He will start his chairmanship on 1 January 2012. Mr Barry Wiersum, current CEPI chairman, will take the post of Vice-chairman for the next two years to guarantee a smooth transition.

Pesonen states that EU needs a competitive forest fibre industry in order to meet its carbon neutrality goals. “The forest fibre industry is the leading producer of bioenergy and renewable wood based bio-products in Europe. European consumers are most definitely interested in seeing positive progress in substituting oil-based products with renewable and recyclable bio-products. Therefore European policy makers should ensure a competitive operating environment for this industry”, says Mr Pesonen.

Pesonen mentions three examples of policy measures that directly affect competitiveness of the sector: “We need the continued carbon-leakage status for 2015-2020 to remain competitive. Also the EU Renewable Energy Policy, by subsidising biomass for energy use, threatens the supply of essential raw materials for our industry. At a regional level, the sulphur directive of marine fuels increases transport costs in Northern Europe to uncompetitive levels.”

Jussi Pesonen was named President and CEO of UPM in January 2004. Under his leadership, the company has taken strong and consistent measures to reposition itself as the Biofore Company. UPM is expanding its operations outside its traditional home market of Europe, and strengthening its position in self-adhesive labels, pulp and energy related businesses. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and Pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials.

Mr Pesonen joined UPM in 1987 as a production engineer, advancing rapidly into leading management posts in UPM’s various business units. He is member of the Board of publicly listed steel company Outokumpu Oyj, and Ilmarinen, a leading mutual pension insurance company.

Mr Pesonen (born 1960) has a Master of Science degree in engineering in process technology from the University of Oulu, Finland

For more information, please contact:
Daniela Haiduc, Communications and Public Affairs Manager CEPI at d.haiduc@cepi.org, mobile: +32 473 562 936
Pirkko Harrela, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, UPM at mobile +358 20 415 0588, pirkko.harrela@upm.com

UPM, Corporate Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com

Link to the image bank: http://www.upm.com/EN/MEDIA/Media-Centre/Image-gallery/People/Group-executive-team/Pages/default.aspx

Notes to the Editor

CEPI aisbl - The Confederation of European Paper Industries
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is a Brussels-based non-profit making organisation regrouping the European pulp and paper industry and championing this industry’s achievements and the benefits of its products. Its mission is to promote the members’ business sector by taking specific actions notably, by monitoring and analysing activities and initiatives in the areas of industry, environment, energy, forestry, recycling, fiscal policies and competitiveness in general. Through CEPI, the paper industry increases its visibility and acts on emerging issues, making expert and constructive contributions on behalf of the industry.
 
Its collective expertise provides a unique source of information both for and on the industry; coordinating essential exchanges of experience and knowledge among its members, the ability to provide technical assistance to legislators and to identify independent experts on specific issues. Through its 19 member countries (17 European Union members plus Norway and Switzerland) CEPI represents some 700 pulp, paper and board producing companies across Europe, ranging from small and medium sized companies to multi-nationals, and 1000 paper mills. Together they represent 25% of world production. www.cepi.org

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 24,000 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's annual sales are about EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com