Market Director Core Technologies & Regulatory Affairs
The European pulp and paper industry has faced significant headwinds during the recent years, driven by a confluence of economic, structural, and regulatory challenges. In 2023, the sector experienced a sharp contraction, with paper and board production declining by approximately 13% – a drop more severe than during the COVID-19 crisis [1]. In 2024 there was a modest rebound in production and profitability across several segments. Nevertheless, the industry remains below pre-pandemic levels, and structural vulnerabilities persist [2].
While the European paper industry has shown adaptability and commitment to sustainability, it continues to grapple with economic volatility and a complex regulatory landscape shaped by the EU Green Deal, Fit for 55 package and evolving chemical safety standards. With high energy and raw material costs, long investment cycles and increasing pressure to decarbonize, the industry requires strategic support to remain competitive and compliant in a less predictable business environment.
Chemical suppliers play a critical role in enabling the pulp and paper industry to meet regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency and sustainability. Every day, every member of Kurita is striving to acquire a deeper understanding of our customers’ operations in order to ensure that we are always implementing the best available technology. We call this Gemba. We don’t see ourselves just as vendors – we want to be a strategic partner for our pulp and paper industry clients. That’s why we focus on technologies and services that directly address environmental, operational and regulatory challenges.
- The Dilurit® BC S-System is known for groundbreaking performance in keeping paper machines’ water system clean, enabling mills to reduce their fresh water consumption as well as to increase low cost fibre utilization.
- Water reclamation solutions like the Kurita® Cooling Tower Blowdown Recovery system generate significant fresh water savings and thus contribute to reducing overall water treatment cost. Furthermore, they support compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive. The benchmarking Avista products are making the most out of membrane operations.
- Combined with our S.sensingTM online monitors our digital platform solution Kurita® Connect360 provides real-time in-depth process visibility and enables smart asset management.
Beyond our customized chemical and digital solutions we are offering proactive compliance assistance through prompt and up-to-date document provision, risk-assessments and on-site audits.
Our vision is to create innovative solutions that address global water and environmental challenges.
Our mission is to help our partners of the pulp and paper industry to improve their performance and to better meet their sustainability and regulatory challenges.
