The 9th edition of the Paper Week Symposium took place from 19-22 September 2024, at the Limak Deluxe Hotel, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The event brought together key players from the paper, tissue, and pulp industries, gathering more than 195 participants from 110 companies across 27 countries. The event once again showcased the vibrant and innovative spirit of the sector, with sponsors and participants driving forward new ideas, partnerships, and solutions.
This year’s event was sponsored by Akkim Kimya, the main sponsor, and Caran Kimya, the entertainment sponsor. The other key sponsors were Crown Paper Mill, Ittihad Paper Mill, DDC Makina, Fujian Light Machinery, Eczacıbaşı Consumer Products, Korozo Group, Tulip Technologies, and ProcessMiner, who collectively contributed to the event’s unique and engaging atmosphere.
The B2B meetings were productive. In addition to the sponsor companies, these firms held discussions at their dedicated B2B tables – ResourceWise, Toscotec, OMET, OSK, Maflex, and Korozo Group.
The symposium opened with presentations from industry experts. Brian McClay of TTO BMA set the stage with his talk on ‘Risks of The World for Paper, Tissue & Pulp,’ offering a comprehensive outlook on the global paper industry.
Özlem Arız of Kimberly-Clark followed with a session on ‘Strategic Approaches for the Paper Industry,’ focusing on navigating the EU’s Legal Framework. Şahin Civelek from Hayat Kimya impressed the audience with innovations in water and energy management during his talk on ‘Sustainable Production’. Additionally, Omar Barjij from IMA TMC delivered a presentation on ‘Enhancing Sustainability by Cutting Waste in Packaging Lines.’
Orhan Öğücü from Lila Kağıt delivered a presentation on ‘Growth Expectations in the Tissue Paper Industry.’ His session covered key trends, market dynamics, and future growth opportunities in the tissue paper sector, providing valuable perspectives for industry stakeholders.
Marko Summanen from ResourceWise delivered one of the standout presentations on ‘Current Market Trends and Industry Drivers for the Future,’ drawing significant attention for its forward-thinking insights. His analysis on the evolving paper market dynamics resonated strongly with attendees, further solidifying the importance of innovation and adaptability in the sector.
Toscotec was at the forefront with Fabio Bargiacchi and Enrico Fazio leading a session on ‘Sustainability as a Decisive Success Factor for the Tissue Industry,’ discussing the role of innovative technologies in improving sustainability across operations. Their presentation underlined Toscotec’s commitment to sustainable practices and technological excellence in tissue manufacturing.
Sami Safran, Michael Shamma, Kaan Cindemir, Abdullah Al Khateeb, and İsmet Müstecaplıoğlu led the panel on ‘Innovations and Sustainable Practices in the Paper and Pulp Sector,’ with a focus on how the industry can adopt more eco-friendly and efficient production methods. This panel, alongside others such as ‘AI and Technological Advances in the Paper Industry,’ highlighted the push towards greener solutions and smarter technology integration.
The ‘Innovative Chemical Solutions in the Paper Industry’ panel, sponsored by Akkim, provided valuable insights into advancements in the chemical sector within the paper industry. Moderated by Sedat Ondaral, the panel featured key contributions from Duygu Özlem Doğan, Lorenzo Sorci, and Serdar Açıkgün. This session highlighted cutting-edge chemical innovations driving sustainability and efficiency in paper production.
Interactive and engaging networking
In addition to the sessions and panels, B2B networking events, organized through special matchmaking tables, provided attendees with the chance to engage directly with potential partners. These discussions led to new opportunities and collaborations, ensuring the event was not only informative but also commercially fruitful.
The entertainment and sports segments sponsored by Caran Kimya brought an additional element of excitement to the event, allowing participants to unwind, socialize, and build relationships in a more relaxed setting.
