11 Jan. 2024: Cepi, the European association representing the paper industry, announced that Marco Eikelenboom, CEO of Sappi Europe, takes over as Chairperson of Cepi, effective January 2024. Eikelenboom succeeds Ilkka Hämälä, CEO of Metsä Group, Cepi's previous Chair.

Since 2021, Eikelenboom has served as CEO of Sappi Europe, based in Brussels, Belgium. He has held various high-level positions within Sappi, starting his career with the company in 1997.

Cepi noted that outgoing Chair, Mr. Hämälä, is a strong supporter of a more open dialogue between the industry and the EU Institutions, helped launch Circular Choices, a coalition for a more competitive and ambitious EU bioeconomy. "This is the broadest coalition yet of European trade associations representing providers of high-quality wood-based products, fibre-based paper and board products as well as packaging and renewable energy solutions, which is also supported by EU forest owners and managers," Cepi said.

"Eikelenboom will be taking over as EU Institutions prepare for an election period and the start of a new mandate for Members of the European Parliament and a new College of EU Commissioners. The next five-year term is already widely being seen as a critical time for action, where the European Union needs to transform the elements of the Green Deal legislative package into concrete actions and deliver on its emission reduction and removal targets," Cepi added.

Cepi is a Brussels-based non-profit organisation representing the European pulp and paper industry. Through its 18 national associations, Cepi gathers 490 companies operating 885 pulp and paper mills across Europe producing paper, cardboard, pulp and other bio-based products.