The event, centered around the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), highlighted the significant changes and challenges it brings to the forest and paper industry. Margherita Miceli, Forest Policy Manager at Cepi, delivered a keynote address, detailing how the EUDR will transform supply chains by mandating digital Due Diligence Statements (DDS). These statements, submitted through the EU’s TRACES system, must include geolocated data to verify the legal and sustainable origin of forest-based materials, ensuring compliance with the regulation.
A roundtable discussion, moderated by Paula Guimarães, Director of Sustainability at Navigator, featured insights from industry experts: Sofia Castelão, Head of Management Systems at Navigator; Mário França, Director of Sales Europe and Latin America at Navigator; and Jonathan Tame, Managing Director of Two Sides UK. The panel explored how businesses are adapting to the EUDR, focusing on practical steps to meet compliance, the impact on pricing, traceability, and access to markets. They emphasized the need for robust traceability systems and collaboration across the supply chain to navigate these new requirements effectively.
The event also showcased Navigator’s 2030 Sustainability Agenda and CEPI’s ‘Ten Toes’ methodology, a framework designed to help the industry align with Europe’s biodiversity and climate goals. These initiatives underscore the sector’s commitment to sustainability and its proactive approach to meeting regulatory and environmental challenges.
Attendees were given a firsthand look at sustainability in action through guided tours of Navigator’s forest nurseries. These tours revealed regenerative practices such as hormone-dipped cuttings to promote root growth, canopy trimming to reduce water stress, and strategic plant separation to minimize disease. With over 12 million trees propagated annually, Navigator’s forestry operations exemplify scientific precision and ecological stewardship, demonstrating how sustainable practices can be integrated into large-scale production.
The day concluded with a tree planting ceremony and a wine tasting session hosted by Ana Varandas of Forest Management, providing a connection to the land and landscape that form the foundation of Navigator’s work. This hands-on experience reinforced the importance of sustainable forestry and the role it plays in the broader paper value chain.
The event also included a tour of Navigator’s Setúbal mill, offering a comprehensive view of its forest-to-paper value chain. The mill’s operations underscore Navigator’s commitment to sustainability, with initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and zero waste. The company’s approach demonstrates that, when managed responsibly, paper production can be not only sustainable but also regenerative.
For those seeking further information on the EUDR, the IPIA’s guidance is available via the provided link. This event highlighted the industry’s ongoing efforts to adapt to regulatory changes, embrace sustainability, and foster innovation in forest management and paper production. Through collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to ecological care, the sector is well-positioned to meet the challenges of the EUDR and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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