Berry Wiersum, chief executive at paper manufacturer Sappi Europe talks to Thomas Fasold

Wiersum: “There’s a lot of interest in digital printing paper.

But in conventional printing too visitors want innovations”

What are your impressions of Drupa?

It’s going better than I expected. The first two days were quiet. But there have been lots of visitors in the past week. There is a lot of interest in digital printing paper. But in conventional printing too, visitors are looking for innovations. Drupa will be a success.

Sappi is exhibiting with three stands instead of one. Why’s that?

We didn’t want to turn up with a general message, but rather show specific products close to relevant exhibitors. Houston, for example, is being shown close to PrintCity.

What is Houston exactly?

A mixed platform for communicating, via the internet or telephone, with one another in the event of printing difficulties. It can be used to enter information, but also to obtain information, and thus consult indirectly with other printers.

What do you see as the sustainability benefits of paper?

Paper is fantastically sustainable. In Europe an area the size of 1.5million football pitches is re-forested each year. Our raw material comes only from certified forests. We are running an energy-saving programme, at one of our sites, 80% of the energy is generated in-house or comes from renewable sources. And paper is the raw material for recycled papers.

What is the future for paper?

There are challenges – digital media, tablet technology – but also opportunities for paper.

What are the key trends at Drupa?

Digital printing; there are plenty of full stands on this topic. But also other print concepts, such as 3D printing. In a recession, companies don’t just want to lower costs; at some point they have to say enough is enough. They are looking for new innovations, for differentiation, and that’s what they find here.