Jean-Marc Louis's choices of sober colors and refined lines, unexpected materials and captivating combinations that will be presented in his new exhibition entitled “Jean-Marc Louis Contemporary Art”, a selection of paintings presenting his latest inspiration, which will immerse the public in a shimmering universe where art arouses atmosphere and emotions.
The work of Jean-Marc Louis is an ongoing process, strongly influenced by his experiences and memories. Born in 1959, his first inspiring influences come from Africa, his native land, where he studied at the National Institute of Arts of the Ivory Coast and from there on to the House of Haute Couture Parisienne.
Jean-Marc has a deep love and appreciation of art in general and tribal art in particular. He regularly brings back from his journeys around the globe cult, ritual and ethnographical objects charged with magical symbols that constitute his private collections, and influence his visualization of the world.
The simplicity of shape, the harmony of colors, and the mixing of materials are all elements found in his works. It was also his time in Africa that started Jean-Marc’s taste for the recycling, constant approach in his work. Paper, canvas, cardboard, wood, and metal brackets, particularly those marked and scarred by the passing of time, are his favorites. The brush, pen and scissors are his tools of preference.
In an abstractive research, Jean-Marc is bringing us toward background or recent memories marked by enigmatic symbols it is up to each of us to interpret, as if he wanted to share with us a bit of that world which is his.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
SCG's Paper Business strives to consolidate its position operating strength to compete in world market
The Paper and Packaging Business of the Siam Cement Group is committed to strengthening its position through the realization consolidation benefit with its joint venture partners in developing business. At the same time, it is also seeking opportunities to invest in related businesses to rival the global industry leaders, bringing more income to the country while reducing imports.
Mr. Somboon Chuchawal, President of SCG's Paper and Packaging Business, said the paper and packaging unit, which is one of SCG's core businesses, has showned a continued growth over the years, particularly exports, which totalled 6,000 million baht in 2009. The Business' strategy focuses on consolidating its position through joint business development with its joint venture partners as well as new investment in related businesses. The efforts are intended to enhance the Business' competitiveness in the regional and global markets, which not only helps bring more income to the country and reduce imports, but also enhances efficiency in production, human resource management, technology, and marketing. It is hoped that this will enable the Thai companies to rival the global industry leaders. Since last year, the Business has joined force with Phoenix Pulp (PPPC) and Thai Cane (TCP) to develop business after it had purchased shares in both companies.
Furthermore, the Business has implemented supply chain management to increase efficiency in production and cost management. Advanced technology such as Web-ordering and E-sourcing / Procurement has also been utilized to enhance operations and customer service to better accommodate customer demand.
For 2010, the Business is expected to perform as well as last year, thanks to its full capacity utilization and relatively healthy prices as in the previous year.
"It is forecast that the demand for pulp and paper in 2010 will continue to grow by 5-6%," said Mr. Somboon.
The Paper and Packaging Business product offerings fall into three distinct categories: pulp and printing & writing paper, industrial paper, and packaging. The Business is now the nation's largest integrated manufacturer of paper products with The Siam Pulp and Paper Public Company Limited functioning as the holding company. Its manufacturing facilities include two pulp and paper plants at Ban Pong, Ratchaburi and Wang Sala, Kanchanaburi as well as eight corrugated box plants throughout the country to quickly respond to customer needs. The business has a combined annual capacity of two million tons of pulp, paper and packaging. It is now the market leader in all three product categories.
Mr. Somboon Chuchawal, President of SCG's Paper and Packaging Business, said the paper and packaging unit, which is one of SCG's core businesses, has showned a continued growth over the years, particularly exports, which totalled 6,000 million baht in 2009. The Business' strategy focuses on consolidating its position through joint business development with its joint venture partners as well as new investment in related businesses. The efforts are intended to enhance the Business' competitiveness in the regional and global markets, which not only helps bring more income to the country and reduce imports, but also enhances efficiency in production, human resource management, technology, and marketing. It is hoped that this will enable the Thai companies to rival the global industry leaders. Since last year, the Business has joined force with Phoenix Pulp (PPPC) and Thai Cane (TCP) to develop business after it had purchased shares in both companies.
Furthermore, the Business has implemented supply chain management to increase efficiency in production and cost management. Advanced technology such as Web-ordering and E-sourcing / Procurement has also been utilized to enhance operations and customer service to better accommodate customer demand.
For 2010, the Business is expected to perform as well as last year, thanks to its full capacity utilization and relatively healthy prices as in the previous year.
"It is forecast that the demand for pulp and paper in 2010 will continue to grow by 5-6%," said Mr. Somboon.
The Paper and Packaging Business product offerings fall into three distinct categories: pulp and printing & writing paper, industrial paper, and packaging. The Business is now the nation's largest integrated manufacturer of paper products with The Siam Pulp and Paper Public Company Limited functioning as the holding company. Its manufacturing facilities include two pulp and paper plants at Ban Pong, Ratchaburi and Wang Sala, Kanchanaburi as well as eight corrugated box plants throughout the country to quickly respond to customer needs. The business has a combined annual capacity of two million tons of pulp, paper and packaging. It is now the market leader in all three product categories.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
SCG PAPER OPENS NEW PAPER PRODUCTION LINE
SCG PAPER OPENS NEW PAPER PRODUCTION LINE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS PRINT AND WRITING PAPER MARKET TARGETED Innovative production technology helps minimize resource consumption and environmental impact
SCG Paper celebrates the official opening of its latest state-of-the-art and environmental friendly Bt7.3 billion production line for its premium print and copy paper at Khon Kaen plant. With 200,000 tonnes per annum production capacity, the new production line will enable SCG Paper to better meet significantly increasing local and overseas market demand for the premium printing and writing paper and gain stronger ground in the regional market.
This new paper production line is located at Phoenix Pulp and Paper Plant in Khon Kaen province. It produces uncoated printing and writing paper, including pound and offset paper for high quality printing (Offset PRO) and premium quality paper for copying machine. The product has superior whiteness, opacity, smoothness and stiffness.
Mr. Kan Trakulhoon, President and CEO, Siam Cement Group (SCG), said after chairing the official opening of the new production line, “SCG strongly commits to operating sustainable business and environment protection. We seriously introduce environmental management measures in our entire production process and services, natural resource rehabilitation, environmentally friendly product and service research and development, and public activities to promote cooperation in environment preservation. All these form the core of our corporate social responsibility practice. And, all these can be achieved successfully only when everyone works closely together like what we see today.”
Mr. Chaovalit Ekabut, President of SCG Paper, said, “The uncoated printing and writing paper market, especially offset paper and paper for copying machine, has been growing dramatically at 6-8% per annum during the past couple of years. Despite weak demand for premium printing and writing paper at present due to economic recession, we expect the market demand to resume and grow in the future.”
SCG Paper won approval from the board of directors and shareholders in 2006 to make Bt7.3 billion investment in this printing and writing paper production project. With 200,000 tonnes per annum production capacity, the facility mainly produces premium printing and writing paper for domestic market and some will be exported to the region. The construction started in 2007 followed by machine installation and test-run in 2008. The official opening of the production line commences in April 2009.
The project won promotional privileges, including tax exemption on imported machineries and other tax incentives, from the Board of Investment (BOI).
The latest global technology for producing uncoated printing and writing paper has been deployed at the facility in order to produce high quality products in terms of opacity, smoothness, whiteness and stiffness.
In addition, the latest technology and production process significantly save a lot of natural resources used, reduce water consumption in the entire production process by 30-50%, and significantly reduce energy consumption. This mill integrates pulp production and paper production processes together, resulting in signification reduction in energy consumed in paper drying and raw material transportation.
The plant also use recycle waste to produce alternative energy for the production process. For example, biomass from pulp production and sewage treatment system is used for producing energy to replace coals. Such biomass is for example, bark, dust and sediment from sewage treatment system. This is not only a way to maximize the use of natural resources but also an elimination of landfill according to SCG’s Zero Landfill policy.
SCG Paper celebrates the official opening of its latest state-of-the-art and environmental friendly Bt7.3 billion production line for its premium print and copy paper at Khon Kaen plant. With 200,000 tonnes per annum production capacity, the new production line will enable SCG Paper to better meet significantly increasing local and overseas market demand for the premium printing and writing paper and gain stronger ground in the regional market.
This new paper production line is located at Phoenix Pulp and Paper Plant in Khon Kaen province. It produces uncoated printing and writing paper, including pound and offset paper for high quality printing (Offset PRO) and premium quality paper for copying machine. The product has superior whiteness, opacity, smoothness and stiffness.
Mr. Kan Trakulhoon, President and CEO, Siam Cement Group (SCG), said after chairing the official opening of the new production line, “SCG strongly commits to operating sustainable business and environment protection. We seriously introduce environmental management measures in our entire production process and services, natural resource rehabilitation, environmentally friendly product and service research and development, and public activities to promote cooperation in environment preservation. All these form the core of our corporate social responsibility practice. And, all these can be achieved successfully only when everyone works closely together like what we see today.”
Mr. Chaovalit Ekabut, President of SCG Paper, said, “The uncoated printing and writing paper market, especially offset paper and paper for copying machine, has been growing dramatically at 6-8% per annum during the past couple of years. Despite weak demand for premium printing and writing paper at present due to economic recession, we expect the market demand to resume and grow in the future.”
SCG Paper won approval from the board of directors and shareholders in 2006 to make Bt7.3 billion investment in this printing and writing paper production project. With 200,000 tonnes per annum production capacity, the facility mainly produces premium printing and writing paper for domestic market and some will be exported to the region. The construction started in 2007 followed by machine installation and test-run in 2008. The official opening of the production line commences in April 2009.
The project won promotional privileges, including tax exemption on imported machineries and other tax incentives, from the Board of Investment (BOI).
The latest global technology for producing uncoated printing and writing paper has been deployed at the facility in order to produce high quality products in terms of opacity, smoothness, whiteness and stiffness.
In addition, the latest technology and production process significantly save a lot of natural resources used, reduce water consumption in the entire production process by 30-50%, and significantly reduce energy consumption. This mill integrates pulp production and paper production processes together, resulting in signification reduction in energy consumed in paper drying and raw material transportation.
The plant also use recycle waste to produce alternative energy for the production process. For example, biomass from pulp production and sewage treatment system is used for producing energy to replace coals. Such biomass is for example, bark, dust and sediment from sewage treatment system. This is not only a way to maximize the use of natural resources but also an elimination of landfill according to SCG’s Zero Landfill policy.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
SCG Paper promotes premium product
SCG Paper is heavily marketing its Idea Work premium-grade paper in a bid to double its paper sales to Bt1 billion next year, from Bt500 million expected this year.
"The challenge is to persuade users to shift from standard to premium paper. That's why we have to conduct roadshows in offices, to offer paper samples for testing before making the decision to use it," business manager Danaidej Ketsuwan said yesterday.
The company is rolling out aggressive marketing activities for premium-grade paper aimed at corporate and end-users, backed by b Bt100-million promotional budget.
SCG Paper made paper products for industry before entering the enterprise and individual end-user markets last year with th launch of its Idea brand.
At that time, the company introduced Idea Green paper and received good feedback from state agencies, corporations and students.
The government has a policy of procuring green products, which boosted sales of the company's green paper, as well.
SCG Paper this year brought out an innovative paper, product called Idea Work, to tap customers requiring high-quality paper for work. Idea Work paper is priced higher than standard and green paper, by Bt2 to Bt110 a pack.
Despite being more costly, consumers needing high-quality paper for activities like presentations and printing will like it.
Total paper consumption this year is expected to climb 6 per cent to 200,000 tonnes.
One positive factor driving paper consumption is cheaper prices for printers.
The company targets its two paper products to grab 15-20 per cent of the market next year.
Premium paper accounts for 30-40 per cent of the Bt6-billion paper market.
"The challenge is to persuade users to shift from standard to premium paper. That's why we have to conduct roadshows in offices, to offer paper samples for testing before making the decision to use it," business manager Danaidej Ketsuwan said yesterday.
The company is rolling out aggressive marketing activities for premium-grade paper aimed at corporate and end-users, backed by b Bt100-million promotional budget.
SCG Paper made paper products for industry before entering the enterprise and individual end-user markets last year with th launch of its Idea brand.
At that time, the company introduced Idea Green paper and received good feedback from state agencies, corporations and students.
The government has a policy of procuring green products, which boosted sales of the company's green paper, as well.
SCG Paper this year brought out an innovative paper, product called Idea Work, to tap customers requiring high-quality paper for work. Idea Work paper is priced higher than standard and green paper, by Bt2 to Bt110 a pack.
Despite being more costly, consumers needing high-quality paper for activities like presentations and printing will like it.
Total paper consumption this year is expected to climb 6 per cent to 200,000 tonnes.
One positive factor driving paper consumption is cheaper prices for printers.
The company targets its two paper products to grab 15-20 per cent of the market next year.
Premium paper accounts for 30-40 per cent of the Bt6-billion paper market.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
SCG sees flat sales until US revives
SCG Paper, The country's largest paper manufacturer,expects no sales growth from last year as the US economy has not recovered enough to drive global demand.
SCG Paper has sourced scrap paper from the United States where declining purchasing power has lowered the price by around 30% this year, said president Chaovalit Ekabut.
"The US has yet to see an economic recovery. In large cities people are still buying, but not in the towns where there aren't a lot of people," he said.
However, the price of scrap paper has seen a small increase since the end of the third quarter. Paper scrap is currently traded at $160 to $170 per tonne,compared with the record high of $250 in June last year.
Paper scrap, which is used in paper production, may be more expensive if oil prices rise further. The price of shortfibre pulp has also risen from a range of $520-530 to $560, pushing the prices of printing and writing paper up marginally.
Meanwhile, China is expected to increase its paper production by another 2 million tonnes next year and that will drive the demand and prices of raw material to rise further.
"However, we are not planning to stock more raw material because we are studying the possibility of using alternative materials that are easy to buy locally, such as weeds," said Mr Chaovalit.
In Thailand, demand for packaging paper and printing paper has rebounded since the third quarter and the market has already returned to the same levels as last year. The price of packaging paper is on the rise and should be stable at around $150-160 a tonne at the end of this quarter, he added.
In the third quarter of this year, SCG Paper's sales totalled 11.23 billion baht,up 6% from the second quarter but still down 9% compared to the same period of 2008 due to lower product prices. Net profit was 701 million baht, up 10% on a quarterly basis and 13% year-on-year.
Mr Chaovalit said packaging paper sales fell 7% in the first nine months while printing paper declined by 11%.However, third-quarter sales of packaging paper grew by 3% compared to last year.
Positive annualised growth is foreseen in the fourth quarter, driving the paper market in Thailand to the same level as last year."Growth of zero would still be fine," Mr Chaovalit said.
SCG Paper's 5-billion-baht paper plant in Vietnam, which has been operating since the second quarter, will raise its production in November and December.He projects it will contribute around 2.5 billion baht to the sales next year.
Shares of Siam Cement (SCC) closed on Friday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 204 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 423 million baht.
SCG Paper has sourced scrap paper from the United States where declining purchasing power has lowered the price by around 30% this year, said president Chaovalit Ekabut.
"The US has yet to see an economic recovery. In large cities people are still buying, but not in the towns where there aren't a lot of people," he said.
However, the price of scrap paper has seen a small increase since the end of the third quarter. Paper scrap is currently traded at $160 to $170 per tonne,compared with the record high of $250 in June last year.
Paper scrap, which is used in paper production, may be more expensive if oil prices rise further. The price of shortfibre pulp has also risen from a range of $520-530 to $560, pushing the prices of printing and writing paper up marginally.
Meanwhile, China is expected to increase its paper production by another 2 million tonnes next year and that will drive the demand and prices of raw material to rise further.
"However, we are not planning to stock more raw material because we are studying the possibility of using alternative materials that are easy to buy locally, such as weeds," said Mr Chaovalit.
In Thailand, demand for packaging paper and printing paper has rebounded since the third quarter and the market has already returned to the same levels as last year. The price of packaging paper is on the rise and should be stable at around $150-160 a tonne at the end of this quarter, he added.
In the third quarter of this year, SCG Paper's sales totalled 11.23 billion baht,up 6% from the second quarter but still down 9% compared to the same period of 2008 due to lower product prices. Net profit was 701 million baht, up 10% on a quarterly basis and 13% year-on-year.
Mr Chaovalit said packaging paper sales fell 7% in the first nine months while printing paper declined by 11%.However, third-quarter sales of packaging paper grew by 3% compared to last year.
Positive annualised growth is foreseen in the fourth quarter, driving the paper market in Thailand to the same level as last year."Growth of zero would still be fine," Mr Chaovalit said.
SCG Paper's 5-billion-baht paper plant in Vietnam, which has been operating since the second quarter, will raise its production in November and December.He projects it will contribute around 2.5 billion baht to the sales next year.
Shares of Siam Cement (SCC) closed on Friday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 204 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 423 million baht.
SCG PAPER TURNS TO ALTERNATIVE PULP MATERIALS
SCG Paper is resorting to other materials for paper pulp-making, to ease the expected increase in global waste paper prices due to higher demand from China.
President Chaovalit Ekabut said that the other materials for pulp-making, would offer the same quality as waste paper. Importantly, the production cost should be lower than when using waste paper to be imported from the United States.
The paper unit of the Siam Cement Group expects the global demand for waste paper next year to increase due to the business resumption of paper manufacturers in China.
Chaovalit said several Chinese paper manufacturers have resumed their operations after suspensions during the economic crisis. Those companies will have to order waste paper from the US, which is the largest supplier.
The move of Chinese paper-makers might affect other paper manufacturers including SCG Paper because the company is one of those that purchases scrap paper from the US to be made into new paper products.
Chinese paper manufacturers are expected to order a lot of scrap paper. They are expected to produce 2 million tonnes next year.
Chavalit said the company has to reduce risk from the expected shortage of scrap paper by considering using another material that is not made from scrap paper, such as weeds.
Other material prices should be lower than scrap paper, he said.
He said that the resumption of Chinese paper manufacturing has driven scrap paper prices up from the current level of between US$160 (Bt5,350) and $170 per tonne.
However, the scrap paper price is not expected to increase to $250 like in 2008, because of the low paper consumption of the US. The low consumption in the US is in line with the country's economic crisis. The consumption of paper this year dropped by 30 per cent.
In addition, the company believes the economic situation has bottomed out because sales revenue and net profit in the third quarter improved from the second quarter, he said.
SCG paper earned sales revenue of Bt11.23 billion, up 6 per cent from the second quarter while net |profit increased by 10 per cent to Bt701 million from the last quarter and increased 13 per cent year on year.
Chavalit noted that the pick up of sales revenue in the third quarter might help the total sales revenue this year meet flat growth or drop a little from last year's Bt47 billion. The company earlier predicted a plunge in sales in 2009 due to the crisis.
He said that the company outlook next year should be brighter because it will realise full revenue from a new paper craft plant in Vietnam. The company expected the plant in Vietnam would contribute Bt2.5 billion in sales revenue next year.
Chavalit added that besides the new plant in Vietnam, the company is ready for new investment. One of SCG Paper's investments is the merger and acquisition of paper plants in Thailand and overseas.
He could not reveal the investment budget for M&A, but said the M&As should be seen soon.
President Chaovalit Ekabut said that the other materials for pulp-making, would offer the same quality as waste paper. Importantly, the production cost should be lower than when using waste paper to be imported from the United States.
The paper unit of the Siam Cement Group expects the global demand for waste paper next year to increase due to the business resumption of paper manufacturers in China.
Chaovalit said several Chinese paper manufacturers have resumed their operations after suspensions during the economic crisis. Those companies will have to order waste paper from the US, which is the largest supplier.
The move of Chinese paper-makers might affect other paper manufacturers including SCG Paper because the company is one of those that purchases scrap paper from the US to be made into new paper products.
Chinese paper manufacturers are expected to order a lot of scrap paper. They are expected to produce 2 million tonnes next year.
Chavalit said the company has to reduce risk from the expected shortage of scrap paper by considering using another material that is not made from scrap paper, such as weeds.
Other material prices should be lower than scrap paper, he said.
He said that the resumption of Chinese paper manufacturing has driven scrap paper prices up from the current level of between US$160 (Bt5,350) and $170 per tonne.
However, the scrap paper price is not expected to increase to $250 like in 2008, because of the low paper consumption of the US. The low consumption in the US is in line with the country's economic crisis. The consumption of paper this year dropped by 30 per cent.
In addition, the company believes the economic situation has bottomed out because sales revenue and net profit in the third quarter improved from the second quarter, he said.
SCG paper earned sales revenue of Bt11.23 billion, up 6 per cent from the second quarter while net |profit increased by 10 per cent to Bt701 million from the last quarter and increased 13 per cent year on year.
Chavalit noted that the pick up of sales revenue in the third quarter might help the total sales revenue this year meet flat growth or drop a little from last year's Bt47 billion. The company earlier predicted a plunge in sales in 2009 due to the crisis.
He said that the company outlook next year should be brighter because it will realise full revenue from a new paper craft plant in Vietnam. The company expected the plant in Vietnam would contribute Bt2.5 billion in sales revenue next year.
Chavalit added that besides the new plant in Vietnam, the company is ready for new investment. One of SCG Paper's investments is the merger and acquisition of paper plants in Thailand and overseas.
He could not reveal the investment budget for M&A, but said the M&As should be seen soon.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Producers want more M&A deals
The paper industry needed more consolidation, the heads of Nordic papermakers UPM-Kymmene and M-real said yesterday, adding that they were ready to support a transformation of the sector.
The global paper industry has struggled for close to a decade to climb out of a slump caused by overcapacity, soft demand, low prices and weak earnings,heightening the need to consolidate.
But merger deals have been scarce throughout that period, and analysts said financing, valuation and competition issues would likely continue to constrain players' options.
UPM-Kymmene's chief executive Jussi Pesonen said his firm aimed to be an active player in the consolidation of an industry struggling to slash costs and close excess capacity.
"Definitely this industry needs to consolidate. Our role will be (that) of an active player," Pesonen, head of the world's third-largest firm in the sector by capacity, said at Reuters Paper and Packaging Summit.
"There will be swaps or share deals.We most probably won't see any cash deals in this industry for the next year or two," Pesonen told the summit at Reuters News bureau in Helsinki.
"We will participate only in those kinds of opportunities that create value for our shareholders and the company."
The current global downturn has further knocked demand for paper, as print advertising has dived.
"In the short term (the focus is on)restructuring, cost savings and balancing demand-supply," Pesonen said."This is a cost game. The lowest cost producer will always be better positioned."
Finnish packaging and paper producer M-real, whose sale last year of its graphic papers business to South Africa's Sappi for 750 million was the biggest deal in years in the sector, said it also aimed to support further consolidation.
"Our goal is to support consolidation of the European paper industry," M-real's chief executive Mikko Helander said at the summit.
"No one can be satisfied with the European paper industry's financial performance. Part of the difficulty is the industrial structure."
Helander said M-real was working hard on a strategic review that is seeking new solutions for its remaining uncoated fine paper and specialty paper units.
He said that such deals could be divestments, mergers, joint ventures or other unspecified options.
Helander said that M-real had taken big strides towards the structure that it wanted, with a heightened focus on packaging."We are moving in the right direction - the impact of paper has been reduced, the impact of packaging has increased."
Packaging now accounts for about 40% of revenues.
He said that in the future M-real would retain some papermaking but he said it remained to be seen how much paper production it would keep.
Moody's analyst Christian Hendker said sector consolidation was possible,but constrained by a lack of debt financing available, difficulties in valuing assets in a falling market, and potential competition issues.
The global paper industry has struggled for close to a decade to climb out of a slump caused by overcapacity, soft demand, low prices and weak earnings,heightening the need to consolidate.
But merger deals have been scarce throughout that period, and analysts said financing, valuation and competition issues would likely continue to constrain players' options.
UPM-Kymmene's chief executive Jussi Pesonen said his firm aimed to be an active player in the consolidation of an industry struggling to slash costs and close excess capacity.
"Definitely this industry needs to consolidate. Our role will be (that) of an active player," Pesonen, head of the world's third-largest firm in the sector by capacity, said at Reuters Paper and Packaging Summit.
"There will be swaps or share deals.We most probably won't see any cash deals in this industry for the next year or two," Pesonen told the summit at Reuters News bureau in Helsinki.
"We will participate only in those kinds of opportunities that create value for our shareholders and the company."
The current global downturn has further knocked demand for paper, as print advertising has dived.
"In the short term (the focus is on)restructuring, cost savings and balancing demand-supply," Pesonen said."This is a cost game. The lowest cost producer will always be better positioned."
Finnish packaging and paper producer M-real, whose sale last year of its graphic papers business to South Africa's Sappi for 750 million was the biggest deal in years in the sector, said it also aimed to support further consolidation.
"Our goal is to support consolidation of the European paper industry," M-real's chief executive Mikko Helander said at the summit.
"No one can be satisfied with the European paper industry's financial performance. Part of the difficulty is the industrial structure."
Helander said M-real was working hard on a strategic review that is seeking new solutions for its remaining uncoated fine paper and specialty paper units.
He said that such deals could be divestments, mergers, joint ventures or other unspecified options.
Helander said that M-real had taken big strides towards the structure that it wanted, with a heightened focus on packaging."We are moving in the right direction - the impact of paper has been reduced, the impact of packaging has increased."
Packaging now accounts for about 40% of revenues.
He said that in the future M-real would retain some papermaking but he said it remained to be seen how much paper production it would keep.
Moody's analyst Christian Hendker said sector consolidation was possible,but constrained by a lack of debt financing available, difficulties in valuing assets in a falling market, and potential competition issues.
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