Our Value Proposition
for a Healthy and Sustainable Europe
The European Tissue Industry is an essential partner in safeguarding public health
and a cornerstone of European well-being. We deliver products such as toilet tissue,
facial tissue, napkins, hankies, paper towels, both for household and industry, bed
sheets, centre feed rolls and wipers, thus playing an essential role in the daily life of
EU citizens. The members of ETS represent the majority of tissue paper producers in
Europe and make up 90% of total European tissue production.
We go beyond delivering hygiene solutions to millions of homes, workplaces, and
public buildings across the EU. We are a vital partner in achieving the EU’s
environmental, economic, and social objectives. By producing essential products in
Europe, we are contributing to both its economic resilience and the green transition.
HYGIENE FOR
A HEALTHIER EUROPE
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of hygiene in safeguarding public health. Tissue products play a vital role in preventing the spread of viruses and bacteria. Proper handwashing with soap and tissues, along with the use of toilet tissue, household towels and single use handkerchiefs, is essential to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases at home and in the workplace.
By enabling good hygiene practices, the European Tissue Industry significantly contributes to improved public health across Europe. Tissue products contribute to a clean and healthy environment, promoting well-being and reducing the risk of infection. They are essential in homes, schools, workplaces, public facilities, healthcare settings, and on-the-go, including critical infrastructure like train stations, airports, and hotels. Tissue products are also part of emergency preparedness supplies.
Tissue products meet the highest safety standards for applications involving food, making them a trusted hygiene tool across various sectors. Tissues play a vital role in preventing cross-contamination and maintaining hygiene at home, work, public buildings, healthcare facilities, hospitality settings, and public transport.
Tissue products are essential for preventing the spread of germs and promoting good hygiene practices. Their proper use plays a crucial role to stop the spread of illness, leading to healthier citizens and a more productive workforce.
The European Tissue Industry is committed to contribute and participate in the development of a comprehensive EU Hygiene Strategy. The Strategy should recognise the critical role of hygiene for public health starting with good hygiene behaviour especially washing hands thoroughly and frequently.
Set regulatory safety standards for handwashing, tissue solutions for hand drying, cleanliness, and disinfection in public places and workplaces.
Promote best practices for hand hygiene and proper cleaning in Horeca, industrial, and household settings.
Highlight the positive correlation between hygiene standards and societal well-being.
A RESILIENT
AND COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY
FOR A SECURE FUTURE
The European Tissue Industry is a recognised leader in innovation, constantly developing new and improved hygiene solutions that meet the evolving needs of European citizens and businesses. This focus ensures a steady flow of high-quality, efficient, and sustainable hygiene products. Together we advocate for a policy framework that supports and enables accelerated uptake of innovative and sustainable production processes.
A regulatory framework that encourages and enables innovation is crucial to maintain the technological leadership of the European Tissue Paper Industry and to develop innovative hygiene solutions in the future, while ensuring security of supply. A renewed EU policy framework can help to relaunch the competitiveness of manufacturing industries, guarantee future employment, and re-position EU as an attractive market for investment.
We align ourselves with the Antwerp Declaration’s call for an Industrial Deal, ensuring a level playing field for the industry. This includes safeguarding traditional essential industries like tissue paper while supporting innovation in new biobased products. To ensure a continued thriving European tissue industry, we urge the EU to develop a competitive framework that:
Ensures better access to hygiene products at equitable prices e.g. by evaluating a lower VAT rate by Member States.
Addresses energy supply and access to raw materials to enhance the EU’s open strategic autonomy.
Creates EU-level measures for paper products used for food contact.
Promotes fair trade practices.
Develop an Omnibus proposal to address existing EU regulations.
Ensure stable long-term regulatory framework built on consensus and active participation of industry that secures jobs, growth and investments in Europe.
LEADING THE WAY TO
A LOW CARBON
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The European Tissue Industry champions biobased products and contributes to a robust circular bioeconomy, while playing a vital role in societal wellbeing. We develop processes and products with reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and focus on:
- Sustainable raw material sourcing through renewable resources.
- Promoting recycling and recyclability of fibres.
- Exploration of alternative fibres
The European tissue industry utilises a combination of recycled, fresh, and alternative fibres to meet product characteristics and sustainability goals. We advocate for policies that recognise this multi-fibre approach and its contribution to a circular bioeconomy.
We actively participate in shaping the EU Waste Framework for effective paper and fibre recycling practices, composting, and side-stream valorisation such as biogas production. We advocate for policies that ensure the responsible collection, procurement, and utilisation of wood fibres. Additionally, we support the EU’s ambitions in promoting sustainable forest management, responsible sourcing throughout the supply chain, biodiversity protection, responsible land-use practices, and restoration of carbon sinks.
We are committed to mitigate climate change by reaching the global consumer goods industry’s goal of driving down carbon emissions through innovation in our individual production processes, supply chains and products. Our member companies have individually defined strategies and measures to drive down carbon emissions both in production and in transport. Our sector is part of the collective ambition to mitigate carbon emissions in the EU to the equivalent of at least 30% of EU fossil fuel emissions by 2030. Looking ahead to 2050, we see our responsibility in meeting society’s needs while decarbonising the European economy, towards net-zero emissions.
Water is a crucial resource in tissue production. We are committed to responsible water stewardship and continuously strive to reduce water usage throughout the production process. We support policies that promote water conservation and responsible water managemenT practices while giving priority to local provisions to the use and management of water.
We urge a timely review of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy to make it truly circular. This strategy should:
Recognise the vital role of the tissue industry in a circular bioeconomy.
Leverage the industry’s leadership in minimising waste through innovation in renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable tissue products.
Include measures to preserve water, save energy, and promote the renewal of biodiversity and natural resources.
Acknowledge the contribution of biobased products to the overall goal of climate neutrality, recognising “renewability” as a sustainability parameter in all product policy legislation beyond the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
We support the call for an Omnibus proposal to address existing EU regulations and ensure a level playing field for the industry.
We believe a robust Strategic Agenda for biobased industries is crucial for fostering innovation and a thriving bioeconomy.
We call for the Single Market report by Enrico Letta to recognise the importance of harmonisation for a well-functioning internal market for tissue products.
We actively engage with policymakers and stakeholders to support initiatives related to biomanufacturing, which is key to a sustainable future.
We urge the EU to acknowledge the essential role of products like hygiene tissue in the upcoming revision of the Bioeconomy Strategy, recognising the value of existing solutions alongside future innovations.
The European Tissue Paper Industry is a proactive partner for the EU. By collaborating on these policies, the EU can ensure a thriving tissue industry that:
Safeguards public health through essential hygiene solutions.
Fosters strategic autonomy in essential products.
Contributes to a circular bioeconomy through innovation and responsible sourcing.
Drives innovation for a more sustainable and competitive future.
Provides education for good hygiene practice starting with handwashing and hand drying.
The European tissue industry plays a vital role in European well-being and contributes significantly to a sustainable future. We work in partnership with policymakers and stakeholders to build a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable future for all Europeans. We urge the EU to recognise our contributions and collaborate with us to build a healthier, more secure, and resource-effcient future.
