The opening morning of International Pulp Week has long set the tone for the days that follow—and in 2026, that tradition continues with a trio of speakers tackling the forces reshaping global pulp markets from the top down.
From geopolitical shifts and macroeconomic uncertainty to the evolving dynamics of specialty cellulose, the session brings together perspectives from British Columbia, global financial markets, and the international pulp trade. Taken together, they offer delegates a structured look at how broad economic forces are filtering through to fibre flows, pricing, and competitiveness.
A shifting global order: ERA’s Kevin Mason opens the conversation
Kicking off the conference, Kevin Mason returns to the stage with his annual opening address, a session many delegates consider essential.
As Managing Director of ERA Forest Products Research, a British Columbia–based firm serving clients across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, Mason brings decades of experience analyzing global forest product markets from both an industry and investment perspective.
His presentation, The Shifting Landscape, will explore a theme increasingly shaping global markets: the erosion of what has often been described as “Pax Americana,” and the transition toward a more fragmented and uncertain geopolitical environment.
For the pulp sector, these changes are far from abstract. Shifting trade relationships, evolving tariff regimes, and geopolitical tensions are already influencing fibre flows, production costs, and competitive positioning. Mason is expected to examine how these forces are redefining global supply chains, with particular attention to the evolving role of China—both as a critical demand centre and as a source of structural risk.
With a background in finance and investment analysis, and nearly three decades at ERA, Mason’s perspective connects macro-level shifts to real-world implications for producers, investors, and policymakers. As always, his opening session is likely to frame not just the current state of the market, but the risks and opportunities that lie ahead.
Reading the global economy: Numera’s Joaquín Kritz-Lara on uncertainty and recovery
Building on that geopolitical foundation, Joaquín Kritz-Lara of Numera Analytics will turn to the global economic outlook—and the complex interplay of forces shaping commodity markets.
As Chief Economist and head of Numera’s Macro Research practice, Kritz-Lara oversees the firm’s global economic analysis, including strategy publications across major asset classes and the development of econometric models used for forecasting and risk assessment. His work focuses on how macroeconomic shocks translate into asset prices and market behaviour—insight that is increasingly relevant for pulp producers operating in volatile conditions.
In Economic Uncertainty: A Macro View on Tariffs and Global Markets, he will examine a global economy that is showing signs of re-acceleration following a period of heightened policy uncertainty in 2025. Improved growth expectations, combined with a weaker U.S. dollar, relatively low financial stress, and China’s ongoing green energy transition, are contributing to firmer commodity prices.
Yet the outlook remains far from straightforward. Questions around the durability of the U.S. dollar’s decline, the trajectory of global trade, and the persistence of geopolitical tensions all introduce uncertainty into the forecast.
For the pulp sector, these macroeconomic dynamics have direct implications. Currency movements influence export competitiveness, while shifts in global growth affect demand across key end-use markets. Kritz-Lara’s session is expected to provide delegates with a clearer understanding of how these forces interact—and what they may mean for the years ahead.
Specialty markets in focus: CelCo’s Christian Chavassieu
Rounding out the morning, Christian Chavassieu will bring the discussion back to the industry itself, with a detailed look at the specialty cellulose market.
As Managing Partner of CelCo, Chavassieu brings over two decades of experience in the global cellulose industry. He founded CelCo in 2011 and continues to lead the business within Numera, providing trusted expertise across dissolving pulp and downstream markets.
His presentation, Specialty Cellulose: Market Dynamics and Outlook, will examine demand trends, capacity developments, and pricing across key segments, including viscose, acetate, ethers, and industrial applications.
Specialty cellulose occupies a unique position within the pulp industry—serving high-value, often technically demanding applications that are closely tied to broader manufacturing and consumer trends. As such, it is particularly sensitive to shifts in both supply and demand.
Chavassieu is expected to highlight how evolving constraints—ranging from capacity additions and raw material availability to changing end-use demand—have been shaping the market through 2025 and into the outlook period. In an environment where supply-demand balances can shift quickly, understanding these dynamics is critical for both producers and buyers.
From global forces to market realities
Taken together, these three presentations provide a layered view of the forces shaping the pulp sector in 2026.
Mason’s geopolitical analysis sets the stage, highlighting the structural shifts influencing trade and supply chains. Kritz-Lara builds on that foundation, examining how macroeconomic conditions are affecting growth, commodities, and financial markets. Chavassieu then brings the focus to a key segment within the industry, illustrating how those broader forces play out in specific markets.
The result is a progression from global systems to sector-specific outcomes—offering delegates a comprehensive understanding of how external pressures translate into operational and commercial realities.
A conference defined by perspective
The international composition of the speakers—anchored by a British Columbia-based analyst, a globally focused chief economist, and a European-based industry expert—reflects the breadth of perspectives that define International Pulp Week.
It is this combination of global insight and industry expertise that has long made the event a cornerstone for the market pulp community. By bringing together voices from across disciplines and regions, IPW provides a forum for understanding not just where the market is today, but where it is heading.
As the sector continues to navigate uncertainty and change, that perspective remains invaluable.
International Pulp Week (IPW) is the premier annual gathering of the global market pulp industry, hosted by the Pulp and Paper Products Council. As the leading event dedicated exclusively to the market pulp sector, IPW provides a unique platform for producers, end-users, and key stakeholders to exchange insights, strengthen relationships, and explore the trends shaping the industry’s future.
Join us May 10–12, 2026, at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver