19 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. A delegation from Volga JSC, led by Volga's Director General Sergei Pondar, attended the conference.
Delegates of the conference shared their expectations and forecasts regarding the dynamics of development of the Russian and global pulp and paper markets on the platform and on the sidelines of the forum.
Sergei Ovsov, Senior Marketing Manager at Volga JSC, told about the most discussed topics and trends in the Russian containerboard market: "There are a few key points around which there was a lively discussion. Firstly, the volume of consumption in the domestic market is growing by 3-5% per year. Secondly, the main growth driver is the increase in online trade. Thirdly, there is an increase in the share of cellulose containerboard due to the reorientation of some Kraftliner producers to the Russian market. The prevailing opinion among the forum participants is that the decline in prices on the world markets of letterpress grades will persist at the beginning of the next year. However, by the middle of 2024 the picture will start changing in a positive direction. The main factors for the increase in paper prices will be the growth of pulp prices, decrease in the dynamics of demand reduction, growth of the Chinese economy, withdrawal of inefficient production capacities".
The audience of the forum paid special attention to the high-capacity Asian and Middle Eastern markets, while the prospects for the development of the packaging segment in the Russian market were of high interest: consumers have high hopes for the introduction of premium testliners and fluting into Volga's product line in the fourth quarter of next year, following the launch of the redesigned paper making machine No. 6.
The working schedule of Volga JSC commercial department allowed Volga to use the conference venue for negotiations with the participants of the event, as well as with numerous international partners who came to Istanbul on purpose.
The quality of Volga's paper products, as well as the expected new products, were also widely discussed with local customers, whose production facilities were visited by representatives of the Commercial Service during the conference. The demand for Volga's products is observed in various segments: print media, light industry, wood and metal processing, corrugated industry.
Dmitry Krivoruchenko, Sales Deputy Director General of Volga JSC, shared the key results achieved by the commercial department during the conference: "We held about two dozen business meetings, discussed regional and global trends in both the printing and packaging paper industries, as well as expected changes in Volga's production capacity, and reviewed plans for the next year through the prism of logistics capabilities. We managed to conclude preliminary agreements with new Turkish partners to sign contracts for the supply of our company's products. Some companies are practically doubling the volume of storage warehouses to ensure uninterrupted supply of Volga's new products (testliner and fluting), expected in 2024, to their customers".
Press service of Volga JSC
