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BIR Valencia 2025 – Special Edition of Paper Division Plenary Session

Tuesday, 27 May 2025 (09.00 – 12.30)

  • 3.5-hour session open to both BIR members and non-members
  • Special Day Pass for 600 €  (access to the Paper Session, Convention exhibition and networking area)
  • Free access for all delegates registered for the BIR Convention
 

From a stable global status to navigating a complexity of changes

The paper recycling industry had a difficult year in 2024, facing various challenges such as higher costs, lower demand for products and the shipping crisis at the Suez Canal. However, this year it is aiming to face these challenges, strengthen its ranks and recognise its achievements for the environment.

At the upcoming Paper Division plenary session in Valencia on Tuesday, 27 May 2025 (9:00–12:30) under the chairmanship of Francisco Donoso, DOLAF Servicios Verdes S.L. (ESP), four presentations will provide an informative and multi-dimensional overview of the global recovered paper industry and offer context to help navigate the difficulties it faces at present.

To start, Brian Henesey, past Chair of ReMA and Vice President of Rocky Mountain Recycling Inc. (USA), will discuss the political aspect of trade by tackling one of the most crucial topics facing the recycling industry: trade tariffs.

Brian will explore how tariffs can affect the global recovered paper market and whether they could lead to more inward-looking, nationalist and self-contained markets.

 

The presentation will be followed by an insightful round-table discussion, where four world regions will be represented to talk about dynamics and trends in the global recovered paper market. The European view will be provided by Tobias Umpfenbach, Director of ALBA Wertstoff Management (DEU). John Atehortua, Partner & Commercial Director of Circularity by RAW (Recyclables Around the World) (NLD), will comment on the market situation in the United States. Ranjit Baxi, Founder of J&H Sales International (GBR) will represent Central Asia, and Simone Scaramuzzi, Commercial Director of LCI (ITA), with statistical expertise on the recovered paper trade in South East Asia, will share his experience in this particular region.

 

Subsequently, a separate session will be entirely dedicated to policy and regulatory updates, with a specific focus on two new regulations.

 

Julia Ettinger, Secretary General of EuRIC, will tackle the Waste Shipments Regulation, which signals a shift towards better resource management within Europe.

 
 
 
 

 

Francesco Sicilia, General Manager of UNIRIMA (ITA), will give an update on the End-of- Waste Regulation (EoW), which since 2024 has introduced a tighter focus on shipments and packaging.

 

 

The final presentation will be provided by Nuria Rubio, Sales & Customer Manager at Fr. Meyer’s Sohn (ESP), who will give a detailed overview of global transportation logistics - covering topics such as container and cargo ship flows, transport requirements and costs, and the impact of the crisis in the Suez Canal.

 
 

 

The session will conclude with a celebration of Atul Kaul, CCO of Arab Paper Manufacturing (SAU), who will be receiving the BIR Papyrus Award in honour of all of his outstanding work for the paper recycling industry.

  

Don’t miss this all-encompassing session, which will provide a highly valuable, multi-lateral view of the paper recycling industry, as well as a wonderful opportunity to network with fellow industry leaders after the session and strengthen the Paper Division at BIR.