Transform renewable resources into tomorrow’s materials and energy.

A Renewable Industry, Rooted in Global Demand

 

Wood, paper and biomass sit at the intersection of two of the world’s oldest industrial traditions and its newest sustainability imperatives. The global pulp and paper market alone is valued at roughly $360 to 400 billion in 2025, while the biomass energy market, encompassing solid biofuels, biogas and waste to energy generation, has passed $140 billion and continues to expand as governments push to decarbonise heat, power and industrial processes. Together, these sectors convert a renewable, carbon absorbing raw material into everything from packaging and tissue to biofuels, biochemicals and next generation building materials.

 

Wood, paper, biomass | ABGi

This momentum spans several major producing nations.

 

  • Brazil, through Suzano, is home to the world’s largest market pulp producer, with 13.5 million tonnes of annual capacity built on sustainably farmed eucalyptus plantations.
  • Poland has become Europe’s largest furniture exporter and the world’s fourth largest, shipping close to €12 billion of wood based furniture annually to more than 150 countries.
  • The United Kingdom leads Europe in renewable electricity generated from biomass, with wood based power stations supplying up to 17% of the country’s electricity during peak demand periods and anchoring its transition away from coal.
  • France’s paper, board and pulp industry generates close to €5.6 billion in annual revenue across around 70 companies, according to COPACEL, and remains a cornerstone of the country’s circular bioeconomy.

 

Wherever they operate, wood, paper and biomass companies face a shared challenge: modernising energy intensive, capital heavy production assets while building traceable, low carbon supply chains from forest to finished product. This is exactly where ABGi operates, helping companies across pulp, paper, panel, bioenergy and biomaterials value chains secure R&D tax credits and innovation funding for their transition.

Key figures for the sector 

$370B

Global pulp and paper market size in 2025

$140B

Global biomass power market size in 2025

420M

Tonnes of paper and paperboard produced worldwide each year

55%

Share of global paper fibre now sourced from recycled material

Key Strategic and Operational Challenges for the Sector

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY AND DEFORESTATION COMPLIANCE

Securing FSC and PEFC certified fibre while adapting supply chains to meet the EU Deforestation Regulation and other traceability requirements.

DIGITALISATION AND AUTOMATION

Deploying AI, digital twins and predictive maintenance to optimise mill performance, reduce downtime and improve energy efficiency across ageing industrial assets.

DECARBONISATION AND ENERGY COSTS

Reducing the heavy carbon and energy footprint of pulping, drying and power generation processes amid volatile electricity and gas prices.

STRUCTURAL COMPETITIVENESS AND OVERCAPACITY

Navigating declining graphic paper demand, site closures and intensifying competition from lower cost Asian and South American producers.

STRUCTURAL COMPETITIVENESS AND OVERCAPACITY

Navigating declining graphic paper demand, site closures and intensifying competition from lower cost Asian and South American producers.

SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE RISK

Protecting fibre supply against wildfires, extreme weather and raw material price swings while securing long term wood sourcing agreements.

Focus on the 4 Strategic Levers

Innovation

  • Research and development of next generation biomaterials, including nanocellulose, lignin based chemicals and bio based packaging alternatives to plastics.
  • Development of alternative and recycled fibre sourcing, including agricultural residues and post consumer waste streams.
  • Advanced pulping and bleaching processes to reduce chemical use and improve yield.

Operations & Performance

  • Optimising mill uptime and yield through predictive maintenance and process control systems.
  • Reducing energy and water intensity across pulping, drying and bleaching operations.
  • Strengthening fibre supply chain resilience against climate related disruption and cost volatility.

Technology

  • AI and digital twins to model and optimise pulping, papermaking and biomass conversion processes.
  • Automation and robotics to improve throughput, safety and precision in mills and processing plants.
  • Blockchain and digital traceability to certify sustainable forestry and fibre origin across complex supply chains.

ESG & Sustainability

  • Accelerating decarbonisation roadmaps across energy intensive pulping, drying and power generation processes.
    Circular economy approaches to fibre recovery, recycling and end of life product reuse.
    Scaling sustainable biomass supply chains and certified forestry practices to meet EU Deforestation Regulation requirements.

Read more

Heavy-duty transportation: the electric revolution is underway

Road freight transport is a key issue in France’s climate transition. Heavily reliant on diesel, this sector is responsible for...

Agroecological transition – Challenges and prospects for agricultural machinery manufacturers, seed companies and agrochemicals firms

On a large scale, the reality of our world will be shaped by the growing number of mouths to feed,...

Superfoods and Nutritional Fortification: Technological Challenges and Opportunities in the Food Industry