From Papyrus to Biorefineries: PAMSA at G-STIC 2025
In October, Jane headed to Pretoria for a panel discussion on ‘Biomass and the bioeconomy’ at the G-STIC (Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Community). The conference was the organisation’s 8th and was held in conjunction with the CSIR’s 80th birthday celebrations.
She was asked to look at what the new opportunities are for what is a very ancient bioeconomy, the forest and forest product industry.
I her opening statement, she said, “I represent one of the oldest bio economies in the world. Think shelter, think fire, think food! Our sector has been meeting the most basic of needs since time began, and indeed even allowing for self-actualisation at the top of the pyramid of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, because that is what paper offers you, from Pharaoh’s time when paper was made from papyrus until today when it’s made predominantly from wood fibre.”
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the pulp and paper industry represents a $350+ billion global market that’s part of a broader $663+ billion forest products sector. Interestingly, FAO statistics also state that around 405 million tonnes of paper and paperboard are produced every year and this totals only 13-15% of total wood consumption, yet it provides more than 50% of the value.
The Finnish Forest Industries federation expects the global market for the wood value chain to grow by 175 billion euros from 2022 to 2035, from around 600 billion euros in 2022 to 775 billion euros in 2025. In Africa specifically, the sector is smaller (~$23 billion for Middle East & Africa) because, as we will see, the bioeconomy is not a one-size-fits-all all.
This growth is despite seeing a structural decline in the consumption of graphic papers. A double-digit decline in the EU year after year. Internationally, there is a rising pulp inventory. All are looking at ways to innovate, to add value either through R&D or creative business solutions. Suzano is doing it with KC, with a new joint venture, e.g, vertical integration of pulp to tissue. Everywhere you look, the industry has and is re-inventing itself to survive; it needs to keep doing it. Nordic countries, in particular, have led this evolution; for years, many of their pulp and paper mills have functioned as biorefineries. Although the term is no longer fashionable and those who used it in the early 2000s now talk about offering biomaterial solutions or being part of the bioeconomy!
“So, despite a rocky road, this isn’t a declining industry, it’s a transforming one, with new bioeconomy initiatives driving new growth,” noted Jane.
The panel continued to discuss the most important elements to put the bioeconomy firmly on the agenda for climate change mitigation, particularly in Africa.