Intelligent Manufacturing for a New Ecosystem, Green Momentum for a New Future

2025 China International Paper Innovation and Development Forum Convened in Shanghai

On August 12, the 2025 China International Paper Innovation and Development Forum (below referred to as “2025 CIPTE Forum”) was convened in Shanghai. Hosted by the China Technical Association of Paper Industry, China Paper Association, and China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute (CNPPRI for short), and organized by China Pulp and Paper Magazines Publisher under CNPPRI, the forum centered on the theme of “Intelligent Manufacturing for a New Ecosystem, Green Power for a New Future.” It comprised six core modules: Keynote Presentations, Report Release, Industrial Chain Synergy, Intelligent Manufacturing, Green and Low-Carbon, and Market Insights—with 20 insightful presentations delivered. Covering the entire industrial chain of the paper sector, the content provided in-depth analysis and interpretation, spanning from macro trends to specific technological applications.

More than 350 attendees were present, including senior experts from China and abroad, leaders of provincial (municipal) industry associations, representatives of leading enterprises, and media professionals. Notable participants included Cao Zhenlei, Former President of China Technical Association of Paper Industry; Wang Shuangfei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor of Guangxi University (participating online); Zhao Wei, President of the China Paper Association; Cao Chunyu, President of China Technical Association of Paper Industry; Sun Bo, Vice General Manager of Sinolight Corporation Ltd. and President of CNPPRI; Tian Chao, General Manager of CNPPRI; Wang Yuezhong, Supervisor of the China Packaging Federation; Chu Tingliang, Former Executive Vice President of The Printing Technology Association of China; And Anna Ni, Senior Advisor of Business Finland.

Opening Ceremony: Driving Industrial Innovation with Green & Intelligent Forces, Jointly Shaping the Industry’s Future

Delivering a speech on behalf of the hosts, Chairwoman Sun Bo noted that new quality productive forces are profoundly reshaping the manufacturing sector and injecting robust impetus into the paper industry to overcome bottlenecks and realize leapfrog development. As 2025 marks a crucial year preceding the launch of the national 15th Five-Year Plan,  Sun Bo emphasized that the industry must not only address pressing challenges such as energy cost pressures and enhance resource recycling efficiency but also seize opportunities from technological innovations in bio-based materials and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive improvements in total factor productivity and international competitiveness.

In his address, President Zhao Wei acknowledged that while the paper industry currently faces certain headwinds, it has proactively pursued breakthroughs by optimizing industrial layout, upgrading product mix, and adjusting energy structure. He stressed that the sector should take “greening, low-carbon development, and digital intelligence” as its core direction, advance raw material independence, energy low-carbonization, and process digitalization-intelligentization, and work collectively to propel the industry toward higher-quality and more sustainable development.

Launching & Signing of China Paper History Series: Inheriting Time-honored Craftsmanship & Dedication, Inspiring an Intelligent Innovative Future

To document the evolution and innovative accomplishments of China’s paper industry, China Technical Association of Paper Industry and Shanghai Popular Science Press Co., Ltd. jointly initiated the planning, compilation, publication, and distribution of the China Paper History Series. At the opening ceremony, Cao Chunyu, President of China Technical Association of Paper Industry and Chen Dan, Director of Shanghai Popular Science Press signed a cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective organizations, marking the official launch of the series’ compilation.

Keynote Presentations: Insights Guiding the Industry’s Leapfrog Development

This session was chaired by Deputy General Manager Cao Baoping. Four distinguished speakers (Wang Shuangfei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor of Guangxi University; Cao Zhenlei, Former President and Director of the Senior Expert Advisory Committee of China TechnicalAssociation of Paper Industry; Tian Chao, General Manager of China National Pulp and Paper Research institute Co., Ltd.; Anna Ni, Senior Advisor of Business Finland) explored the sustainable development path of China’s paper industry in the new era, focusing on perspectives including industrial structure optimization, transition and upgrading, technological innovation, and green integration.

Result Release: Core Data Charting the Industry’s Development Vision

Liu Zhenhua, Director of China Pulp and Paper Magazines Publisher under CNPPRI, released two key industry reports: The 2025 Competitiveness Report of China’s Paper Industry and the 2025 Report on the Development of China’s Paper Chemicals Industry. She noted that China Pulp and Paper Magazines Publisher will continue to track industrial dynamics, deepen research, and offer more robust intellectual support for government decision-making, industry development, and enterprise innovation.

Industrial Chain Collaboration: Forging Value Symbiosis Across Upstream & Downstream Sectors

Niu Qingmin, Executive Vice President of Jiangsu Province Paper Industry Association, chaired this session. Four speakers (Wang Yuezhong, Supervisor of the China Packaging Federation; Chu Tingliang, Former Executive Vice President of The Printing Technology Association of China; Zhai Jingli, Deputy CEO of Sinar Mas Group-APP; Chen Xiao, General Manager of Shandong Jincailun Group) engaged in in-depth exchanges on topics such as industrial chain collaboration, innovative development, and sustainable operations, addressing key challenges currently confronting the paper packaging sector—including raw material price volatility and increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Intelligent Manufacturing: AI Empowering the Integration of Green & Intelligent Forces

Liu Gang, General Manager of China National Light Industry International Engineering Co., Ltd., chaired the “Intelligent Manufacturing” session. Four industry experts (Wei Wenguang, Pesident of Huatai Group Co., Ltd.; Zhao Hai, Vice President of Sales and Applications, Voith Paper Asia; Zhao Shengsheng, Executive President of Zhejiang Huanlong Machinery Co., Ltd.; Li Yishan, Vice Chief Engineer and Solutions Expert of HollySys Group) conducted in-depth discussions on the application of digital technologies, AI, automated production systems, and advanced control systems in the paper industry, sharing first-hand experiences in exploring and implementing intelligent manufacturing solutions.

Green and Low-Carbon: Exploring Carbon Futures, Prioritizing Energy Conservation

Wang Yuzhe, Deputy General Manager of Xianhe Paper Co., Ltd., chaired the “Green and Low-Carbon” session. Four speakers (Lai Xiaoming, Chairman of Shanghai Environment & Energy Exchange; Bie Zhibing, Technical Director and General Manager of the Core Equipment Division of Paper Machines, Shashi Light industryMachinery Co., Ltd.; Ma Haitao, Senior Engineer of Product & Solution Support Department of Domestic Marketing Division, Midea Building Tech.; Dragon Hao, Technical Marketing Manager, BU Tube APAC, Alleima for the Asia-Pacific Region) delved into critical topics: how enterprises can more precisely align with carbon reduction targets to enhance ESG performance amid the carbon trading market; how to foster industrial collaboration through the green economy to expand the value scope of the paper industry; and the integration of environmental coating technologies with energy-saving solutions.

Market Insights: Foreseeing Trends, Guiding Strategic Decisions

Pan Tianyi, Marketing Director of Shandong Sun Paper Co., Ltd., chaired the “Market Insights” session. Three leaders (Li Wei, General Manager of Fastmarkets China Region; Wang Hongxin, Market Information Manager of Strategic Marketing Department, Asia Symbol; Chu Yuanyuan, Senior Advisor of ResourceWise (USA), Head of Forest & Paper Products for the Asia-Pacific Region) shared insights on key issues affecting the industry, including raw material supply stability, pulp price volatility, and strategies for overseas market expansion.

Through in-depth intellectual exchanges and experience sharing, 2025 CIPTE Forum galvanized strong momentum for the papermaking industry’s transformation and upgrading. It also laid a solid foundation for jointly advancing the development of a more innovative, resilient, and sustainable modern paper industry ecosystem.

Appreciation

2025 CIPTE Forum received valuable support from a range of enterprises and institutions:

Co-organizers: Midea Building Tech., Hangzhou Hollysys Automation Co., Ltd., Shashi Light Ind. Machinery Co., Ltd. (SLMC), Zhejiang Huanlong Machinery Co., Ltd., and Alleima (Shanghai) Material Technology Co., Ltd. provided robust support and guarantees for the Forum’s preparation and smooth operation.

Special Thanks: COFCOET Mechanical Technology (Wuxi) Co.. Ltd., Shanghai Shanghai Kunde Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou Leizhan Technology Paper Machinery Co., Ltd., Andritz (China) Co., Ltd., Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), UPM (China), Shanghai Qingliang Industrial Co., Ltd., Shanghai Dongsheng New Materials Co., Ltd., Jinan Chengdong Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Henan Jiemu Machinery Co., Ltd., Qingdao Lehler Filtration Technology Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Mey Membrane Technology Co., Ltd.; as well as the Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Strategic Development Center of Paper Industry, the Recycled Fiber Utilization Technical Committee of China Technical Association of Paper Industry, and the Paper-based Green Packaging Materials and Products Professional Committee of China Technical Association of Paper Industry.