Nov 30, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. CEPIPRINT, the Association of European publication paper producers and CEPIFINE, the Confederation of European fine paper industries announced that on the 1st of January 2012 they will join forces to create a new Association based in Brussels. The Association, to be known as Euro-Graph, will represent over 30 companies, operating well over 100 paper mills in Europe, with an annual capacity of approximately 45 million tonnes of graphic papers, as CEPIPRINT said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. The merger allows the graphic paper sector, the largest within the European pulp, paper and packaging industry, to stand united before the common challenges posed by new and electronic media. The new entity will aim to further improve the quality of market statistics and analysis for its members, as well as addressing cross-sector issues such as sustainability and communication, while benefiting from streamlined and simplified processes and working procedures. In spite of the new name, which should help in reducing the confusion between different Associations, Euro-Graph will remain closely linked to CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries. The members of Euro-Graph will continue to fully support the work and activities of CEPI, doing their utmost, through the new Association, to help the industry bringing forward coordinated messages. Jyrki Ovaska, President of the paper business group at UPM and currently Chairman of CEPIPRINT, will be Chairman of Euro-Graph. Emanuele Bona, presently Director General of CEPIPRINT, will be in charge of the daily management of the Association, taking on the same position in Euro-Graph. Frank Leerkotte, Managing Director of CEPIFINE, will leave the Association to concentrate all his efforts on the Print Power/TwoSides campaign, a major communication project supported and funded by the entire print value chain. “The transformation of the paper industry that we have witnessed over the past few years is now moving to the paper Associations. The merger of CEPIPRINT and CEPIFINE into Euro- Graph represents a historic development for an industry that is aiming at improving its effectiveness, cohesion and quality of products and services,” says Mr Ovaska. “We look forward to continuing to provide the same high standard of services to the entire graphic paper industry, whilst exploring all the development opportunities the changing business climate can offer,” comments Mr Bona.