Conference Abstracts
SENIOR MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM - 10 APRIL 2017 Economic Outlook: The good, the bad and the ugly
Andrea Boltho, Emeritus Fellow, Magdalen College, University of Oxford, UK 09:30 – 09:55 The world’s economic outlook at present is, inevitably, clouded. Trump’s economic policies are, as yet, unknown. Should he stick to some of the pronouncements he made during the electoral campaign (huge tax cuts for richer households, imposition of tariffs on China and Mexico, drastic reductions in the immigrant population, etc.), he may well risk a trade war abroad and, possibly, even a recession at home. Should he behave more presidentially (and also accept that Congress may veto some of his more extreme policies), then the US economy may not be unduly affected by the change in the White House. Indeed, it could even benefit from corporate tax cuts and a large programme of infrastructure investment. Further uncertainties relate to the unravelling of the Brexit process and, more generally, to the rise of populism in Europe. Elections will be held this year in the Netherlands, France, Germany and, possibly, Italy. Successes for populist politicians such as Marine Le Pen, Geert Wilders or Beppe Grillo seem unlikely at present, but then the same was said about Brexit and Trump. Forecasts for the world economy are at present clearly surrounded by an unprecedented amount of uncertainty. Hopefully, by the time of the Conference, some, at least, of these uncertainties will have been lifted.
The circular economy and hygiene products: how it’s all connected
Mario Forte, Customer Quality Director Global Hygiene Supply Tissue AfH, SCA, Sweden 09:55 – 10:20 Today’s linear “take, make, dispose” economic model relies on large quantities of cheap, easily accessible materials and energy, and is a model that is reaching its physical limits. Dame Ellen MacArthur of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has outlined the concept of the Circular economy as the attractive and viable alternative to the linear economy. A circular economy is a continuous positive development cycle that preserves and enhances natural capital, optimizes resource yields, and minimizes system risks by managing finite stocks and renewable flows. How is the model of a circular economy relevant for a Hygiene business model? With a life cycle perspective, it soon becomes obvious that Tissue and Personal Care products makers meet both opportunities and challenges. Renewable raw material is clearly on the pro side, whereas the pulp, paper and tissue making processes will meet challenges and needs innovative re-thinking. Customer and consumer waste has to be addressed both by policy makers and the manufacturers. Unconventional partnerships will open up for finding new solutions and will inspire new business models. The Circular society is here to stay; this is a business opportunity that will require creativity, innovative thinking and new partnerships and business models.