25 December 2023
The VII International Conference "Pulp and Paper Industry in Russia - New Realities, New Opportunities" was held in Istanbul from November 30 to December 1, 2023.
Leading industry experts and heads of enterprises, representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Federal Forestry Agency, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as regional authorities discussed the present and future of the Russian pulp and paper industry during lively discussions and on the sidelines of the event.
The first day of the conference was devoted to market analysis, adaptation of enterprises to new conditions and development strategies. The panel discussion "Looking into the Future" highlighted the importance of export-oriented development and the need for "healthy" economic strategies.
Oleg Bocharov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, emphasized the necessity to abolish export duties on pulp and paper products. In his opinion, under current realities, domestic businesses have to adapt to the reduction of available markets, logistical constraints, change of main equipment suppliers, increase in production costs and forced "turnaround" to Asian markets. After a slight downturn in 2022 and early 2023, the Russian pulp and paper industry is showing good growth rates. Some companies, such as Volga, are successfully coping with the challenges they face and are continuing to implement major investment projects. However, there are also "stopping" factors. The export duty for pulp and paper exporting companies, introduced at the end of 2023, may significantly reduce the profitability of the business and the long-term investment attractiveness of the industry. Consolidation of efforts of market players and authorities aimed at overcoming the emerging challenges and forming a new strategy of interaction between business and government can bring the Russian pulp and paper industry to a completely different level of development.
The second day of the conference was full of discussions on sustainable development and investment. Sergei Pondar, Director General of Volga JSC, took part in the panel discussion "Roundtable of Directors General - Work of Pulp and Paper Mills in New Conditions" and spoke about the company's development strategy, in particular, about the conversion of paper machine No. 6 to produce low-grade fluting and light liner as early as 2024, which will add more than 50% to the existing capacity. The mill's production volume will be increased from 320-330 thousand tons to 470 thousand tons annually.
As Sergei Pondar noted in his report at the conference in Istanbul, the products of PM No. 6 of Volga JSC meet the high consumer requirements for Testliner-1 and Testliner-2 level containerboard, which is confirmed by tests on a Valmet pilot machine. The mill is targeting the production of PM No. 6 for the Russian containerboard market, as well as for China and other export markets. The project is currently at the final stage of development. 90% of the main equipment has been manufactured and delivered, its installation and connection are in progress. In 2024, Volga JSC has planned large-scale market launch activities. The company will take part in the largest pulp and paper exhibitions in Russia and China. Product presentations for customers and partners are also planned.
Press service of Volga JSC
