The conference of Pulp & Beyond 2026, Northern Europe’s leading international forest industry event, will bring together hundreds of decision-makers and influencers from around the world at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, Finland, on 14 April 2026. The programme for the three-part conference has now been published. Throughout the day, nearly 50 presentations will be delivered by global experts on topics such as future mills, new technologies driving circularity and carbon neutrality, and innovative wood-based products. The conference was sold out in 2024.
AI and Transformation at the Heart of the Opening Session
The opening addresses will feature Tuuli Koivu, Chief Economist at Nordea, outlining the direction of the global economy amid uncertainty; Mala Valroy, Investment Manager at Sweden’s Industrial Fund, exploring the opportunities AI brings to the pulp and paper industry; and Jussi Vanhanen, President and CEO of Metsä Group, sharing insights on leading transformation in the forest industry. The opening session will culminate in a panel discussion led by Anna Ståhle. The full programme is available at pulpandbeyond.com. The conference’s main partner is Valmet, with Sulzer as a partner.
Future Mills, Sustainable Technologies, Circular Economy and Textile Fibre Revolution
After the opening session, participants can choose between three programme tracks and hear inspiring and topical presentations on the latest industry trends, along with practical examples of innovations, processes and investments:
- Factory of the Future – Focused on AI, improving efficiency and competitiveness through future energy solutions, and lessons learned from major investment projects. Speakers include Tyron Vardy (ABB Process Industries), Marjo Santanen (Billerud), Lari-Matti Kuvaja (Valmet), Felix Hiller (Palm Gruppe) and Matti Lielahti (Stora Enso)
- Novel future technologies towards circularity and lower emissions – Exploring technologies leading the forest industry towards carbon neutrality, increasing yield and value through lignin refining, and sustainable growth by utilising industry side streams. Speakers include Kaija-Pehu Lehtonen (Metsä Group), Becky Gardiner (Svante Technologies), Viktor Odenbrink (Södra), Francisco Razzolini (Klabin), Sampo Lahtinen (Kemira) and Petri Oinonen (Ecohelix).
- New innovative wood-based products – Covering sustainable packaging innovations and the Nordic Textile Fibre Day, conducted in collaboration with Valmet, Kemira and VTT, addressing accelerating textile fibre growth and promoting textile lifecycle circularity. Speakers include Julie Gannon (Smurfit WestRock), Michael Strobl (MM Group), Niklas von Weymarn (Metsä Spring), Jonatan Janmark (Circulose), Mikko Lassila (UPM) and Lutz Walter (The European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing).
Pulp & Beyond – Northern Europe’s Leading Forest Industry Forum
Pulp & Beyond brings together the latest forest industry innovations, products, services and technologies, along with key industry players. The event offers new encounters, inspiration, networking and business opportunities for marketing global and sustainable solutions. It showcases the latest trends, supports learning and employer branding, and fosters competence development – with a strong emphasis on responsibility, efficiency and impact.
The international Pulp & Beyond event will take place from 14 to 17 April 2026 and will consist of the conference on 14 April, a free professional event and exhibition on 15–16 April, and excursions on 17 April to Kemira, Sappi Kirkniemi, Stora Enso, and ABB. At the same time, ChemBio Finland, Helsinki Chemicals Forum, and Sähkö-Electricity 26, will also take place at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre organises the Pulp & Beyond 2026 event in cooperation with the Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association (PI). Website : Pulp & Beyond
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