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Tissue World is happy to announce that you can now secure your place at the world`s largest tissue exhibition and conference. Taking place at the Messe Düsseldorf between the 28 and 30 of March 2023, our latest European event promises to re-unite leading names in global manufacturing. Some of the events key features are: The Trade Show Tissue World Düsseldorf`s three-day trade show features over 100 exhibitors from across the tissue ecosystem, meaning you can source products for each part of your business. With high costs being a huge factor in the current tissue market, sourcing sustainable and low-energy products is key to continuing to build your business – and our trade show is the perfect place to do that! The trade show is also a great place to network and catch up with your industry. You can meet professionals from across the entire tissue supply chain, build on existing partnerships and create new business connections.

Saudi Paper Group (SPG) has invested in a Toscotec-supplied AHEAD 2.2L machine to be installed at its Dammam facility in Saudi Arabia. PM5 will be supplied on a full-on turnkey basis, and it follows Toscotec`s supply of a complete AHEAD 2.2S line that is currently undergoing erection at the same tissue mill. The new machine has a sheet trim width of 5.6m, a maximum design speed of 2,200m/min, and an annual production capacity of over 60,000tpy. Start-up is scheduled for 2024. The tissue machine is equipped with TT NextPress upgraded design shoe press, a third- generation design TT SYD Steel Yankee Dryer, and high efficiency TT Hood. The scope of supply also includes two OPTIMA 2600L slitter rewinders devised to preserve bulk and softness while ensuring optimal winding performance. Yousseri Abdel Hamid Abdel Aziz El Bishry, Chief Executive of SPG, said: [Progressing on the path of strong expansion we have set for SPG, we selected Toscotec for this second tissue line because we value both their ability to deliver first-in-class technology and their proven history of successfully managing complex turnkey operations." Founded in 1989 as a private enterprise in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Paper Group includes three subsidiaries specialising in tissue jumbo rolls manufacturing – named Saudi Paper Manufacturing Company (SPMC) – tissue converting, and paper recycling.

Toscotec has responded to customer demand with the launch of its patented TT Hydrogen Burner, its latest generation of 100% hydrogen fuelled burners designed and tested for Yankee hoods. The supplier said it developed the system to drive the conversion of paper manufacturing to clean energy. It said: [TT Hydrogen Burner is an in-line burner featuring precisely controlled combustion and two safe operation modes. [In carbon-free mode it runs on 100% hydrogen; in carbon-reduction mode it is fuelled by a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen, where the percentage of hydrogen is accepted across a wide range." The supplier also added that the TT Hydrogen Burner [entirely matches the high performance of gas-fired burners, using a carbon-free fuel", adding that the key factor in the overall energy balance is that hydrogen fuel is produced from renewable energy sources. Stefano Pecchia, Energy Technology Director at Toscotec, said: [Tissue producers are asking for technological innovations that will allow them to work in full hydrogen mode. [Whether they choose to replace their existing burners or install new tissue lines, tissue producers aim to be ready for when this fuel will be widely available, cost competitive and green. [In response to this demand, Toscotec has invested in building a dedicated air system test bench to ensure guaranteed results according to the specific operating requirements of paper mills".

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has said it is working with renewable energy company ENGIE North America on its latest and largest solar energy Power Purchase Agreement. P&G`s said the 200 MW partnership helps progress its aim to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and supply chain by 2040. The business added that the new Sun Valley project in Hill County, Texas, is [expected to remove harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the electricity grid each year". Through the agreement, ENGIE will supply P&G with more than 530,000 MWh of renewable power annually. Sun Valley project solar panels will power the equivalent to the annual electricity needs of more than 50,000 US homes and will support the local agricultural ecosystem. P&G said that the 200 MW project is the largest global agreement it has developed with ENGIE. Nate Nelson, Purchasing Director, Global Energy Purchases, P&G, said: [The transition to renewable energy is part of P&G`s comprehensive plan to accelerate action toward net-zero GHG emissions by 2040. [Investing in and partnering to build new renewable power projects that bring long-term, zero emissions renewable energy online is vital to help us advance our goal of purchasing 100% renewable electricity."

Tissue company executives need no telling how energy costs not seen in decades are impacting their businesses. They will, however, be keen to know how some of their industry colleagues are fighting back. MarketIssues provides a snapshot of the immediate challenges, and reveals strategies employed to see out the ordeal. Spain-based L.C. Paper has been operating for 140 years and exports to more than 40 countries on four continents. General Manager Pau Vila relates the startling figures of the last few years. For 20 years gas prices hovered between €12/MWh and €17/MWh. They are now around €222/MWh, and what was hopefully a peak at €350/MWh – a 2,000% increase. Historically, electricity prices moved between €35/MWh and €60/MWh. Now they are €300/MWh to €400/MWh. His monthly energy bill has risen, rapidly, from about €350,000 to upwards of €2,000,000. Managing Director Khalid Saifullah says Star Tissue, UK, scrutinises [every inch of the business to help mitigate each crisis." Negative margins are anticipated and, where possible, mitigated. Elsewhere across Europe, several mills have been forced to reduce production or close over the last few months, some temporarily and some permanently. In Germany one toilet paper company went into insolvency in September. The responses? Huge investment is going into automation, unnecessary processes are being cut, innovation and productivity boosted. Sustainability projects planned are being brought forward and accelerated. Poppies Europe, with an energy bill up by 300%, triggered the installation of solar panels covering 90% of the plant`s roof. Scenarios such as further rampant price developments and potential energy shortages in Europe are now risk assessed and prepared for at Essity. A spokesman said: [In order to avoid and reduce the effects of possible disruptions, we implement a series of measures such as finding alternative fuels and increasing stock volumes. We also have energy price hedges in place and implement energy optimisation measures at all our production facilities."

Manufacturers need to pursue innovative ways to decrease consumption and make their factories more efficient as energy and raw material prices soar. Report for TWM by Eduardo de Almeida, Managing Director, AFRY Zaragoza. In a time where cost savings are more important than ever, there is one low hanging fruit that most manufacturers are still overlooking: process variability. In this article, we`ll identify the main sources of variability in paper tissue production, and more importantly – how to tackle them. Soaring costs are pushing for efficiency As prices of energy and raw materials soar, manufacturers pursue new ways to decrease consumption and make their factories more efficient. Higher costs mean that investments that were in the past dismissed due to long paybacks are now becoming attractive. Sustainability, and the push towards carbon-neutrality also puts pressure on companies to invest in green technology. Whilst companies should undoubtedly keep focus on green investments, there is a low-hanging fruit that often goes unnoticed: operational excellence. Reaching stable basis weight is a struggle In a recent article published in Tissue World Magazine in 2021 we discussed how manufacturing variability is common in the paper industry; companies are struggling to control base weight even within a single batch, and to meet minimum weight targets most were needing to compensate by increasing the average weight of their tissue rolls, therefore [giving away" a percentage of their product. This was shown by simply assessing basis weight variability of tissue rolls of the main manufacturers in Spain and Portugal. The results of that study showed that many companies – some of them large multinationals – were struggling to manufacture paper with stable basis weights. The impact of this variability is massive. Manufacturing variability is indeed the tip of the iceberg, as lying beneath the surface one will find customer complaints, sheet breaks, excessive consumption of cellulose, water and energy, and more importantly, a culture that is not focused on operational excellence.

Essity is announcing price increases for all product categories and markets following a raft of energy price hikes for electricity and gas in Europe. Prices for electricity and gas have risen sharply in Europe since July 2022, while costs for the company`s raw materials such as pulp have also [risen significantly" in the third quarter. The business said that following these additional cost pressures, it would announce a new range of price increases. Magnus Groth, President and Chief Executive, Essity, said: [The cost headwinds have worsened further. [We will manage this situation through new comprehensive price increases and energy price surcharges and are continuing to invest in our strong offering under leading brands and to supply essential hygiene and health solutions to Essity`s customers and consumers every day. [The timing and degree of the price increases will be managed locally." He added that the business was also preparing and assessing the risks and effects of different scenarios, such as a rampant energy cost development and possible energy shortages. [We have implemented a series of measures such as finding alternative fuels, increasing our stock levels and leveraging our European wide production network," he said.

Finnish technology company Tietoevry has teamed up with Tissue World, Valmet, Fisher International and I-Plan to launch its Global Tissue Trends Report 2022. Tissue industry leaders and decision makers are invited to participate in the global study which analyses key market trends in business, industry efficiency, sustainability, and digitalisation. Tietoevry is collecting responses from top management decision-makers until 30 September. Jarmo Ropponen, Head of Sales and Marketing at Tietoevry Industry, Pulp, Paper and Fibre, said: [This truly unique study is our most modern and global to date and focuses on key tissue industry market trends in business, sustainability, efficiency and digitalisation. [The study is part of our TIPS for Tissue campaign, our latest offering for the pulp, paper, fibre, packaging, and tissue industries. [It will provide tangible benefits that help leaders in the tissue and towel industries face today`s business challenges, and also help prepare the market for tomorrow`s requirements." The global tissue market is forecast to continue growing in the coming years due to increasing population growth, rising concerns about health and hygiene, and innovative products launched by tissue and towel companies. Tietoevry`s latest study comes in the run up to the Tissue World Düsseldorf exhibition and conference, held between 28-30 March 2023 at the Messe Düsseldorf. By completing the survey, participants will receive a copy of Tissue Market Trends Report 2022. The survey is conducted by independent customer research company Funnel 2.0. Oy and all responses will be treated as confidential. To take part in the study go to: www.tietoevry.com/tipstissue#Tissue-study-2022-139774 For more information about Tissue World Düsseldorf go to: https://www.tissueworld.com/dusseldorf/en/home.html

Many smaller companies doubted ROI from automatic assets combined with smart software, but those days should be over, says William Nelson, President, E80 Group North America. A TWM report. One of the most common statements I`ve heard over the years goes like this: [Yes, we`d love to be able to afford to do that like the Big Guys are doing." But is this statement pertinent today? Is automation only the domain of the [Big Guys," or is it time to re-think this well-worn theory that automated material handling requires size to justify traditional ROI? Let`s take a look at what we have been able to execute so far: • Just about any function in material handling can be automated: – warehousing of finished products and raw materials in block storage or racks of any type; – fully cubed trailers are loaded automatically; – parent rolls are stored and delivered into the rewinder; – raw materials are directly delivered to production assets; – most recently, trailers are unloaded automatically. • Automatic vehicles support operations, allowing managers to focus on productivity, efficiency, and maintenance. • Automatic guided vehicles do the job of multiple operators 24/7/365, delivering goods to the right place at the right time. • Combine automatic assets with a smart software platform, and you have a robust decision-making structure that is as adaptable as it is repeatable. • Automation is scalable, meaning it can grow and evolve as a plant changes over time. • Safety developments enhance the workplace experience. Doesn`t every tissue producer require the same essential functions as above? We move input materials in and ship finished goods out; therefore, the challenge isn`t in identifying WHAT to do. Instead, it`s in knowing HOW to do it. Anyone who has walked the floor of an automation show in the last years can clearly see that a wide range of automated vehicles come in a dizzying array of shapes, sizes, and costs. So, how does one decide what to buy?

The country`s market leader Kimberly-Clark, celebrating its 150th anniversary, reflects on local shifts in shopping habits and pandemic-accelerated opportunities to pivot and drive stronger penetration for in-home consumption. Ratree Skuntantimeta, Managing Director, Kimberly-Clark Thailand, talks to TWM about growth in the Asia-Pacific region. [This year marks the 150th anniversary of Kimberly-Clark," Ratree Skuntantimeta, Managing Director, Kimberly-Clark Thailand, says from her office in Bangkok. [And throughout our history, we have always taken a consumer-centric approach in all that we do. This ties back to Better Care for a Better World, which reflects our ambition to be a purpose-led and performance-driven company." The Irving, Texas-headquartered multinational business has been producing personal care products for consumers globally since 1872. It established its two Thai-based tissue plants – one based in Pathum Thani, located in the northern Bangkok metropolitan area established in 1966, as well as the second in Samut Prakan, a central province on the Gulf of Thailand through the 1995 Scott Paper Company merger, and to this day it is still one of just a few Western-headquartered tissue manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region. In Thailand, it is the country`s leading provider of hygiene and cleaning solutions, manufacturing and distributing a variety of products in three core areas: consumer tissue, personal care and Kimberly-Clark Professional. It manufactures Kimberly-Clark facial tissue, bath tissue and paper towels under its Scott and Kleenex brands for both its consumer and professional businesses (Kimberly-Clark Professional).

Thailand has relatively low unemployment at 0.99% in 2019. Figure 2 shows the unemployment trend as a series of bars. While it did spike up in 2020 due to the pandemic, it was still considered at a relatively low level when compared to most other economies. In 2019, Thailand`s inflation rate was 0.7%, which again, is very low compared to most other countries. The inflation trend is shown in Figure 2 as a line. These statistics however tend to put Thailand in a relatively good position for consumer spending. These economic and demographic factors have supported a relatively slow growth in domestic tissue consumption. This is reflected in the cautious growth of Thailand`s tissue machine fleet. The changing trend in the number of tissue machines is shown in Figure 3. Seven new machines were installed between 2013 and 2021, while only one was removed in 2017. Several tissue manufacturers are active with two or more mill sites in Thailand. Notable is the international company Kimberly-Clark, headquartered in the United States. Thailand is very involved in international trade and runs a small positive trade surplus. However, the country tends to import more tissue than it exports. Figure 4 shows the tissue exports with a significant drop starting in 2018. Current tissue customers include Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the United States. Thailand`s tissue export trend shown in Figure 5 shows an interesting anomaly. The trend of imports shows a linear growth pattern that indicates that tissue machine additions have not kept up with domestic consumer tissue demand. However, the spike in imports from Indonesia seen in 2020 suggests a disruption in domestic mill production due to pandemic closures. In addition to Indonesia, China is becoming a significant tissue supplier to Thailand as well.

Essity has reported [record growth and higher sequential profit" in its half-year results. The margin was positively impacted by higher volumes, higher selling prices and a better mix. In its Consumer Goods division, during January – June 2022 compared with the corresponding period a year ago net sales increased 26.0% to SEK 43,956m. Sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 16.9%. In its Consumer Tissue segment, during the period organic sales growth amounted to 15.8% and for the Consumer Tissue Private Label Europe division to 25.1%. The sales growth was mainly the result of price increases, but volumes were also higher. The group also implemented price increases, and further increases will be carried out in the second half of 2022. It said its assets in Russia have been impaired by approximately SEK1.6bn and work has been initiated to exit the Russian market. Magnus Groth, Essity President and Chief Executive, said the results showed [record growth and higher sequential profit." [In a turbulent world, Essity stands strong. We have further strengthened the company through significant price increases, successful product launches, increased productivity and leading sustainability work. [In July, we announced the acquisition of two companies in leakproof apparel to become the fastest growing company in Intimate Hygiene." He added that during the second quarter of 2022, net sales increased 31% to approximately SEK 38bn, while sales growth, including organic sales growth and acquisitions, amounted to 20.6%. He said: [We implemented significant price increases, while we had higher volumes in all business areas. [Price elasticity in our categories is low and our brands are strong. Essity`s market shares increased for approximately 50% of branded sales in the retail trade over the past 12 months. [This was the result of long-term investments in innovation, digitalisation and marketing." E-commerce sales increased organically by 25% to around 15% of net sales, while organic sales growth for the group was 17.8%, of which price/mix accounted for 14.1% and volume for 3.7%. Groth added: [Raw material, energy and distribution costs continued to rise in the second quarter, negatively impacting the adjusted EBITA margin by 12.8 percentage points. [We offset a large share of this through significantly higher selling prices, a better mix and higher volumes. [We also continued to improve productivity through increased efficiency in our production facilities, material rationalisations and digitalisation of processes."

Suzano and Klabin have confirmed they are announcing a range of global pulp price hikes in July. Swedish pulp producer Södra declined to comment on any plans to implement further increases when contacted by TWM. Suzano has confirmed to TWM it is raising hardwood prices in three markets and that the increases will be between $20 and $40 per tonne. In Europe, the price of eucalyptus will be increase by $30 per tonne, raising the reference price to $1,380 per tonne. In North America, it will increase its prices by $40 per tonne, meaning that the cost of one tonne of eucalyptus pulp will now be $1,610. In China, it will make increases of $20 per tonne, pushing the current price of $840 per tonne up to $860. Suzano declined to comment further. Klabin also confirmed to TWM that it will apply readjustments in the price of eucalyptus pulp ranging from $20 to $40 per tonne. In America, prices per tonne will increase by $40, resulting in a tonne of pulp now costing $1,610. In Europe, prices will be increased by $30, raising the price for eucalyptus pulp to $1,380. In Asia, the increase will be $20, raising the price to US$ 860 per tonne. A spokesperson for Klabin told TWM: [The leading causes of this new global pulp price increase (expected for July) are related to the current tight supply conditions and continued strong demand, supply disruptions – both planned and unplanned, delays in the introduction of new projects ~800kt impact on the hardwood pulp supply from Finland – and also due to restrictions on wood imports from Russia and logistical bottlenecks." In North America, Canfor Pulp said to TWM that it sees [current pulp pricing levels at record highs". Brian Yuen, Canfor Pulp, Vice President Pulp & Paper Sales and Marketing, said: [Pulp prices continue to trend up, i.e. June 2022 was the sixth consecutive NBSK price increase in North America. [The primary drivers for this is the unprecedented unplanned pulp downtime (+2M tonnes July YTD) coupled with ongoing global supply chain bottlenecks (limited boxcar supply, port congestion, shortage of skilled labour, etc.)." He confirmed the business has announced price hikes for its NBSK pulp in North America, which has increased from $1,450 per tonne in January 2022 to $1,805 per tonne in June 2022.

HS Manufacturing Group (HSMG) and parent company Greentech Global have announced a partnership with specialty chemicals company Amazon Papyrus Chemicals to promote its PROTĒAN plastic-and PFAS-free barrier products across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region. The PROTĒAN range includes blends of plant-based derivatives that have been used for decades in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other applications. Samuel Mikail, Chairman of HSMG parent company Greentech Global, said: [HSMG`s discovery of the barrier properties of these materials launched an entirely new approach to displacing plastics and PFAS, both widely used classes of materials that are being replaced around the globe as quickly as possible due to environmental, health and safety concerns. [The applications of PROTĒAN include oil and grease takeaway papers and molded fibre packaging. Agricultural mulches and containers are also significant opportunities. [Such new, sustainable solutions can be equally effective and as economically viable as plastic and PFAS." The Asia Pacific region has been phasing out [non-recyclable" or single-use plastic due to sustainability initiatives from governments and brand owners. Carmen Wong, Group Corporate Strategy & Development Director of Amazon Papyrus Chemicals, states that the current market of fibre-based packaging widely uses PE film and aluminium foil which are hard to recycle, as well as Fluorochemical which is bio-accumulative. She added that alternatives to these current conventional packaging and food service formats such as sustainable barrier materials will assume a critical role and contribute to the circularity and carbon footprint reduction in the industry.

Despite its low global tissue volume share compared with its substantial population, India is projected to grow in volume at an 11% CAGR over 2020- 2025* – outperforming most peers. Here, Sumit Khanna, Chief Executive of New Dehli-based Beeta Tissues, a leading manufacturer and trader of tissue paper in India, discusses the key trends across the country. When I last wrote for Tissue World Magazine in 2016, India was preparing for an expected surge in tissue demand. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country was poised for a substantial leap forward. Regional tissue growth rates were already reaching 20-25%, and the new one-party government was clearing away restrictions on manufacturing and allowing international players to enter the market. Now in 2022, a lot of that potential has been realised. Due to rising disposable incomes, improved institutional infrastructure and rising urbanisation in India, tissue consumption is growing like never before. This is especially the case in the hospitality and health care sectors following the outbreak of the pandemic, while it`s not yet possible to say the same for the corporate sector at this time. What we are seeing is that the kitchen towel market has increased substantially, while the growth in the m-fold towels category is marginal. There is also a high increase in the e-commerce sector following the outbreak of Covid-19. Projections for future growth India is now projected to grow in volume at an 11% CAGR over 2020- 2025, as per a recent report by Euromonitor International. Despite the consistent retail inflation occurring, the consumer tissue market continues to grow as households paid greater attention on cleaning and sanitation after the outbreak of Covid-19. There has since also been a resurgence in domestic and international tourism which has boosted tissue demand further. How the AfH market has responded to the pandemic After the decline in consumption for AfH tissue and hygiene in the last two years, this year seems promising. Schools, hotels and offices are opening up again and there is a huge upsurge in demand for tissues in this sector. To my surprise, the hospitality sector has also really picked up due to `revenge travelling`! As people are emerging from the pandemic they want to travel anywhere and everywhere, big or small, just to indulge! Private label has grown only slightly in the past few years I have observed that every year more and more supermarkets are attracted to getting into the private label market, and to my surprise many of them try and then fail. I personally feel that Indian consumers enjoy buying a branded product more than going for a privately labelled one. However, there are a few private label tissue brands that are doing well in India. Changing tissues players After the pandemic, many new players are emerging out of nowhere in retailing and in housekeeping business, but they are struggling to survive due to high competition and continuous price increase. Pulp pressures, inflation Due to the constant increase in the price of raw materials there has been tremendous pressure on the converters. With much more than 50% increases in raw materials, the overall costs of investments have got higher. And with such low market sentiments, expansion plans have also slowed down this year as the converters are more worried about the margin of profit. I feel there is too much confusion regarding the consistency of prices and sales and profitability for the converters. Sumit Khanna is the Chief Executive of New Dehli, India-based Beeta Tissues, a leading manufacturer and trader of tissue paper in India.

The recovery of the global $25bn msp AfH market (the figures in the report reflect data released in February 2022) brings opportunities as well as challenges. In 2021, the AfH boxed facial tissues market is worth $2.3bn msp, AfH paper tableware $6.9bn (combined napkins and tablecloths), AfH paper towels $5.8bn, AfH toilet paper $7bn, AfH wipers (paper and nonwovens) $3.1bn,. A global recovery of AfH demand hinges on consumers` financial confidence and the health of the foodservice and hospitality industries, which are largely at the mercy of the state of virus control and any future global shocks due to new variants. In an uncertain environment, wipers (especially nonwovens) offer a great growth potential, given their cleaning and disinfecting efficiencies. Key findings are: Heightened hygiene awareness, which will generate new user occasions and drives product improvements. Hygiene vigilance is fuelling tissue consumption and quality expectations across the globe leading to new products with better cleaning properties and an improved user experience. Rising disposable incomes, urbanisation and a health-centric lifestyle shift in emerging markets will continue to present significant opportunities for greater AfH tissue penetration. Structural changes in business, education and foodservice have squeezed tissue demand. Pandemic-accelerated structural shifts such as remote working, e-learning and food delivery, will recast the AfH landscape, and, depending on the extent and duration of these shifts as the pandemic develops, will weigh on AfH tissue demand in at least the short term. Touchless technology and automation place additional pressure but also continue to open up new opportunities. As new technologies emerge to fill in gaps in the new touch-free, efficiency- hungry economy, tissue needs may slide, due to the lack of human presence. However, high-tech machines and devices also generate new applications for specialised, electronics-friendly wipes. Expectations of sustainability have ushered in heightened demand for eco-friendly products: Rising dedication to more eco-friendly lifestyles and increasingly stringent regulatory moves have brought eco concerns further into the spotlight, forcing another sustainability reckoning. While AfH products are not subject to the same degree of scrutiny confronting the retail market, a wave of green movements is already shifting the AfH landscape.

Kimberly-Clark (K-C) has confirmed it has not announced plans to put its Latin American operations up for sale following reports it planned to sell the business. According to reports published in Brazil, K-C has hired JP Morgan bank to sell its operations in Latin America in a deal that could reach R$5bn. However, a K-C spokesperson told TWM: [Regarding media speculation about our operations in Latin America, Kimberly-Clark has made no such announcement, and as a matter of policy we do not comment on rumours about our business. [We are focused on how we deliver long-term sustainable growth for the future across all categories in which we compete. [Last week the company detailed the significant investments it is making in our Latin American business and our people in an interview with Valor Economico. [These investments reflect our continued focus on serving consumers across the region."

Although Brazil remains the epicentre of the Latin American tissue market, replacing Mexico as the largest contributor to regional volume sales back in 2007, the comparison belies the stronger tissue culture that exists in Mexico. Population and income levels are critical factors, Mexico with 129 million inhabitants (almost 100 million fewer than Brazil) has a mean household disposable income of close to $20,000 in 2021, compared to roughly half that figure in Brazil. This Mexican market accounted for 25% of Latin American regional volume sales in 2021, a figure that has crept downwards over the last decade as other markets have seen tissue uptake expand through a combination of availability and income increases. The battle over share of regional value is potentially a more interesting story, relatively more stable Mexico taking a 23% share in (USD MSP value sales) and was once again the region`s largest value contributor as economics, relatively more stable Mexico, continued to underpin changing consumer lifestyles, in which tissue products play an important role, which was especially the case during this pandemic period. International comparisons By a more international comparison, the tissue market (retail tissue in this comparison) in per household expenditure terms is positive with USD49 is well ahead of the global average ($40) and respectable when compared to developed markets such as Japan ($67). The Mexican tissue market, like others, faces uncertain and changing times, the spectre of price inflation likely hampering [real" premiumisation, but there is still much to be positive about the market with annual volume growth of 2% forecast over the medium term.

The modernised Miami Beach Convention Center was the perfect location to welcome the global tissue and towel industry back to in-person business during 15-18 March, 2022. It was the first time the industry had met in-person since the start of the pandemic, with many in the industry meeting friends and business partners again for the first time in many months. North America`s largest tissue exhibition and conference welcomed more than 100 exhibitors and over 1,200 total participants from 47 countries. The new-look tradeshow floor hosted visitors and exhibitors keen to sign deals and view the latest technologies: from paper machinery, through to converting, packaging, chemicals and AI. Hundreds of attendees at the four-day conference – with the theme Tissue Today & Forever, Drivers and Strategies for a Sustainable Future – heard delegates discuss a wide range of issues in deep-dive question and answer sessions aimed at navigating the challenges of the years ahead. Expert speakers from across tissue`s value and supply chains shared industry insights and expert knowledge on the latest trends and developments, which also included technical sessions from leading machinery suppliers and the Yankee Dryer Operations Workshop. The networking drinks reception was one of the busiest seen in years, so much so that it was repeated on the second day, as friends and colleagues caught up and discussed deals. Making sure safety is uppermost As part of Tissue World`s ongoing commitment to ensuring that everybody attending – be it visiting, exhibiting or sponsoring – felt safe and confident, various safety measures were in place. The exhibition was organised in accordance with event organiser Informa Market`s AllSecure health and safety standard. Informa Markets has developed a detailed set of enhanced measures to provide the highest levels of hygiene and safety at its events. Tissue World is the only global trade show offering you a platform to do business across all aspects of your day-to-day business life. Miami 2022 was a great start to a unique year for Tissue World, and our industry friends across the world.

Tissue World is set to take place in Düsseldorf from March 28-30 2023, welcoming back thousands of industry professionals for a 3 day trade show and conference. Only at Tissue World can you discover the very latest products in tissue and paper manufacturing, from paper converting and tissue packaging machinery to stock preparation, chemical solutions and sanitary product OEM manufacturers.