Tissue World 2009

By Mark Rushton, Editor, Pulp & Paper International Magazine, RISI

NICE, April 9, 2009 (RISI) - Tissue World 2009 was an upbeat affair, with all the major supplier companies represented on the exhibition floor, as well as another well-attended conference which went alongside the exhibition.

The organizers say that despite the trend of global pessimism, the event was a big success with around 1500 tissue makers and converters from 83 countries worldwide in attendance. The conference was attended by a healthy 240 delegates, who listened to subjects ranging from differentiation being the key to long term profitability, to the fact that bacteria is being proved to be spread by hand dryers, and that paper towels are a much safer option.

The good news is that tissue is the one area of the industry that is still on a growth surge with RISI's tissue market expert Esko Uutela declaring to the assembled audience that: "Tissue consumption on a global basis is expected to grow at a respectable pace of about 2.8% this year, and in 2010 popping up to 4.5%. 

The atmosphere on the exhibition floor in Nice was one of friendly optimism and a hope for better times in the not too distant future.