CEPI, the European paper industry association, is calling on the pulp and paper sector to be recognised as an essential supplier amid the COVID-19 crisis.

In a statement, Cepi stated that its main priority is to ensure EU citizens can access the products needed for hygiene, health and food purposes in the current lockdown context. It outlined the importance of tissue and hygiene products, fibre-based packaging for transporting food and pharmaceuticals and its dependence on the quick availability of fibres from recycled paper to manufacture packaging.

It also noted that many of its members are currently struggling due to extra border control check and related delays within Europe.

For these reasons, it is calling on the sector (NACE code 17) to be recognised as an essential supplier in several critical European value chains and to be eligible for state aid to ensure continuity of vital supplies to society during the health crisis and facilitate the sustainable recovery of the European economy.

The statement read: “We are relentlessly working with other industries in our value chain to operate as much in a ‘business as usual’ mode as possible and guarantee security of supply to our fellow Europeans.

“We expect the Coronavirus to prompt many changes in the way businesses are operated and society is organised. We call the European Commission to review the recently adopted Industrial Strategy in the light of the changes to ensure it remains valid and a strong policy for the new industrial realities.

“Solidarity has to come first; we will strongly support the work of the EU institutions and national governments with our reiterated commitment to invest in Europe and for maintaining European jobs in the next five years.”