Francesca Siciliano Stevens takes the helm at CEPI amid European paper output decline

Taking the reins of Europe’s primary pulp and paper lobby is no easy task in 2026. The Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) has officially appointed Francesca Siciliano Stevens as its new Director General, placing her at the forefront of an industry navigating one of its most complex transitional periods in recent history. She steps into a role that requires balancing fierce global market pressures with the European Union's stringent regulatory frameworks.

A sector under mounting pressure

Siciliano Stevens inherits an association that carries significant industrial weight. Cepi represents 19 national associations, encompassing around 480 companies and 856 mills, which together provide more than 175,000 direct jobs across the continent. However, the underlying metrics reveal an industry fighting to maintain its manufacturing base. According to Cepi's own 2025 Key Statistics Report, European paper and board production slipped by 1.6% to 77.4 million metric tons last year. The headwinds have not abated in 2026, with first-quarter output falling a further 2.4% compared to the same period in 2025.

The core issue is industrial competitiveness. European producers are grappling with structural energy costs that remain stubbornly high compared to North American and Asian competitors. Furthermore, import penetration reached a historic high of 7.7% of EU consumption in 2025. The new Director General will need to aggressively advocate for investment conditions that prevent the gradual deindustrialization of the European manufacturing sector.

Navigating the Brussels regulatory maze

The policy agenda awaiting Siciliano Stevens is dense. Cepi is currently heavily engaged in high-stakes discussions surrounding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the broader circular bioeconomy policy. The industry has a strong narrative to leverage: despite the market softness, European producers managed to cut specific carbon dioxide emissions by an impressive 10.2% in 2025. The sector also continues to operate the world's most effective paper recycling system, sourcing the vast majority of its wood and recovered fiber domestically.

• Energy and Decarbonization: Securing affordable, clean energy to power energy-intensive mills while meeting EU climate targets.
• Trade Defense: Addressing the rising tide of imports and ensuring a level playing field for European exports, which still account for over 20% of production.
• Regulatory Certainty: Pushing for a predictable framework that encourages long-term capital expenditure in bio-based alternatives to fossil materials.

The road ahead for European manufacturing

The appointment of Siciliano Stevens comes at a time when the industry cannot afford passive representation. The transition from traditional graphic papers—which tumbled 7.3% in 2025—to packaging and specialty grades requires massive capital investment. To facilitate this, Cepi must convince European policymakers that the pulp and paper sector is not a legacy industry to be managed into decline, but a critical enabler of the continent's sustainable packaging and logistics future.

Siciliano Stevens brings a fresh perspective to an organization that must now pivot from defensive lobbying to proactive industrial strategy. Her success will likely be measured by her ability to translate the industry's undeniable sustainability progress into tangible policy support that protects margins and jobs.

The appointment of Francesca Siciliano Stevens is a strategic move that could inject much-needed dynamism into Cepi's advocacy efforts, provided she can effectively align the industry's decarbonization triumphs with a hard-hitting demand for global competitiveness. Will European policymakers finally recognize the strategic necessity of a robust, domestic paper and packaging supply chain before import reliance becomes irreversible? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai