Apr 04, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Chris White, commercial manager at Aylesford Newsprint, was appointed president of the recovered paper sector of the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) at the recent annual general meeting in Coventry. Chris takes over from Ken Stevens, managing director of SCA Recycling, after his two year term ended at the AGM. Chris has been working in the recycling industry for over 35 years and has a vast experience of commercial, regulatory, and technical affairs. He will lead a balanced CPI Sector Council, representing a Membership comprising UK recovered fibre reprocessing paper mills, integrated recovered paper merchants, and independent recovered paper merchants. Chris commented, “I am very happy to accept the presidency of the recovered paper sector. I look forward to presiding over an active council and membership which represents the vast majority of the industry. Ken presided over a period of change in the organisation, and it is now in a strong position to be active in the key areas which will impact on the industry as it goes forward. “The UK recovered paper industry is a great success story, and leads the way in finding overseas markets to recycle the paper that our indigenous industry cannot use. Unfortunately, it is becoming apparent that some unscrupulous operators are casting a shadow over this good work and ignoring the law and their duty of care. This appears to be leading to pressure for potential regulatory changes. However, there is certainty that recycling paper is the right option in terms of economic and sustainable development, as well as carbon reduction in comparison to other management options. With this in mind, the Recovered Paper Sector of CPI will be active in ensuring that the UK makes the best use of this resource, and that any proposed regulatory changes are fully assessed and proportionate to any risks associated with this non-hazardous material”. CPI is the voice of the UK paper industry, representing papermakers, tissue manufacturers, corrugated packaging producers, and recovered paper merchants. The recovered paper sector represents three main categories within its membership: UK mills using recovered paper as a raw material; UK integrated recovered paper merchants affiliated to paper mill groups; UK independent recovered paper merchants independent of paper mill groups. Recovered paper sector integrated members, and independent recovered paper merchant members, manage around 67% of UK collected recovered paper. Recovered paper sector mill members utilize around 75% of UK used recovered paper.