After a pause last year because of the pandemic, the traditional AFVP (French Association of Pulp Vendors) annual seminar took place yesterday in a near-normal format. Around 60 guests participated to this event sponsored by Metsä and jointly organised by AFVP and its sister association of Switzerland.
Catherine Vallet, the President, and his colleague Pierre Noé, took the initiative to organise this gathering last April, when the evolution of the sanitary situation was still very uncertain. A winning bet, even though some restrictions and hygienic precautions had to be imposed. But it was not enough to discourage the participants who clearly enjoyed this “family” reunion. Once again, golfing and hiking were the social activities offered to volunteers in the morning.
More thoughtful workshops were proposed in the afternoon.
Jori Ringman, Director General of CEPI, came from Brussels to show how forest-based products are taken seriously by the European Commission to paly a key role in its ambitious Green Deal programme.
Prices and availability of the pulp are certainly a concern for all buyers these days. The current market conditions presented by Pierre Bach of Hawkins Wright did not come as a surprise to the audience. The trend for the months to come might be bearish however.
The happy faces shown during the dinner that followed was a proof that real life meetings are more fun than any digital event.
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