9th Paper Week Symposium 2024: Innovations, Sustainability, and Industry Growth in Focus


The 9th Paper Week Symposium took place from September 19-22, 2024, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, gathering over 195 participants from 110 companies across 27 countries. This event, hosted at the Limak Deluxe Hotel, brought together professionals from the paper, tissue, and pulp industries, highlighting innovation, sustainability, and industry growth.

The symposium was sponsored by Akkim Kimya (Main Sponsor) and Caran Kimya (Entertainment Sponsor), alongside notable companies such as Crown Paper Mill, Ittihad Paper Mill, Fujian Light Machinery, and Eczacıbaşı Consumer Products. Participants engaged in productive B2B meetings with companies like ResourceWise, Toscotec, and OMET, fostering new business relationships.

The event featured a series of insightful presentations from industry experts. Brian McClay (TTO BMA) discussed global risks facing the paper industry, while Özlem Arız (Kimberly-Clark) provided strategies for navigating the EU’s legal framework. Şahin Civelek (Hayat Kimya) spoke about innovations in water and energy management, and Omar Barjij (IMA TMC) presented on sustainability through waste reduction in packaging. Other notable speakers included Orhan Öğücü (Lila Kağıt), who covered growth trends in the tissue paper industry, and Marko Summanen (ResourceWise), who examined market trends and future drivers of the paper industry.

The event also focused heavily on sustainability, with Toscotec’s presentation on the importance of sustainable technologies and a panel led by industry experts discussing eco-friendly practices. Panels covered topics such as AI and technological advances in the paper industry, moderated by Karim Pourak (ProcessMiner), and innovative chemical solutions in paper production, sponsored by Akkim.

In addition to the informative sessions, the symposium featured engaging networking events, facilitated by matchmaking tables, which resulted in new partnerships. Entertainment and sports activities, sponsored by Caran Kimya, further enhanced the event’s lively atmosphere, ensuring that participants left with valuable insights and connections.