Tissue Summit Brasil 2026 brings the industry together in São Paulo focused on Industry 5.0, innovation and competitiveness

Tissue Summit Brasil 2026, one of the leading annual events for the tissue paper industry in Latin America, took place on March 23–24 in São Paulo, at the Hotel Tivoli Mofarrej, bringing together leaders, executives and companies from across the entire value chain under the theme “Industry 5.0: Technology and People.”

Over the course of two days, the event addressed the main challenges facing the sector, highlighting the need to integrate technological innovation, operational efficiency and human capital as strategic pillars to strengthen competitiveness in an increasingly demanding environment.

TECHNOLOGY, DIGITALIZATION AND STRATEGY DEFINE THE FIRST DAY OF THE EVENT

The opening presentations, delivered by ANDRITZ and Valmet, analyzed the evolution of the sector in an increasingly digitalized industrial environment, with a focus on productivity, efficiency and strategic positioning. In the same vein, Color Química, INCAPE and QNB Group presented applied solutions in chemicals, converting and operational resilience, providing an integrated view of the value chain. The block also included a Talk Tissue session moderated by Felipe Quintino, CEO of Nexum Group, together with Eduardo M. Aron, Tissue General Director at Bracell, where key challenges for the development of the industry were discussed.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the practical application of technologies. Euromonitor International presented an analysis of consumer behavior and the evolution of the tissue and hygiene market, while Voith, Dynatech and Gambini addressed innovations in machinery and processes. Meanwhile, Solenis and FactoryPal highlighted the use of data, automation and smart solutions to optimize operations and improve industrial efficiency.

The first day concluded with a presentation by Luis Bueno, Executive Vice President of Consumer Goods at Suzano, who addressed value creation and sector challenges, followed by Buckman, with a focus on operational stability. In addition, Valgroup presented perspectives on regulation in the plastics sector and its impact on the industry. The day ended with an executive panel featuring leaders from IPEL, Damapel and Jakspel, who discussed topics such as efficiency, competitiveness and business management.

TISSUE ONLINE AWARDS RECOGNIZE LEADING COMPANIES IN THE INDUSTRY

The 5th edition of the Tissue Online Awards recognized companies that stood out for their performance, innovation and contribution to the development of the tissue paper industry over the past year. Held within the framework of Tissue Summit Brasil 2026 in São Paulo, the awards brought together key players from across the value chain in a space designed to highlight best practices in the sector.

As in previous editions, the winners were determined through popular vote, reflecting the perception of industry professionals regarding the companies driving competitiveness and technological advancement in the segment. In this edition, companies were recognized across different supply chain categories, including Valmet, INCAPE, VOITH, Solenis, Color Química do Brasil and Plasdil.

Beyond the results, the awards have consolidated their role as a benchmark within the sector by highlighting the players that continuously contribute to strengthening the industry, in a context marked by challenges such as rising input costs, margin pressure and economic instability.

In this context, the 2026 edition also included the Tissue Online Recognition, a special segment that highlighted leaders who have made significant contributions to the evolution of the industry. This initiative broadens the scope of the awards by recognizing not only corporate performance but also the strategic contributions of professionals driving the sector’s development.

OPERATIONS, EFFICIENCY AND HUMAN FACTORS DEFINE THE SECOND DAY OF THE EVENT

The second day of Tissue Summit Brasil 2026 began with the “Excellence in Development” panel, which brought together specialists from Damapel and Suzano to analyze the evolution of production processes and the challenges associated with increasing competitiveness in the industry. The discussion addressed the need to move toward more efficient, integrated and adaptable models, in line with evolving market demands.

Throughout the morning, companies such as Nalco Water, ProJet B.V., Petrofer and Valmet presented solutions aimed at improving industrial performance, focusing on process optimization, applied production technologies and advancements in operational efficiency. The presentations emphasized the importance of continuous innovation as a tool to raise performance standards in the industry.

At the same time, Regiane Herchcovitch, from Soul HR Consulting, highlighted the human factor, emphasizing the importance of psychological safety, leadership and organizational purpose as key drivers for enhancing team performance and sustaining long-term results.

In the afternoon, the “Efficiency & Maintenance” panel brought together representatives from IPEL, Softys and Bracell, who shared experiences in asset management, reduction of unplanned downtime and continuous process improvement. Complementing this block, presentations from Contech, Firefly and Plastiweber addressed solutions focused on operational safety, contaminant control, risk prevention and adaptation to new regulatory and environmental requirements.

MARKET ANALYSIS AND SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGIES CLOSE THE EVENT

The event concluded with a presentation by Fastmarkets, which provided an updated overview of prices, trends and outlook for 2026 in the tissue and pulp sector in Latin America, offering a strategic perspective on market dynamics and short- to medium-term challenges.

In addition, FIS Impianti and Plasdil presented advances in automation and sustainability, highlighting the role of technological innovation in process optimization and adaptation to new regulatory requirements. In parallel, a panel featuring representatives from Softys and Santher discussed sourcing strategies, supplier management and cost control in a context of increasing pressure on the supply chain.

Beyond the technical analyses, the final block provided a comprehensive view of the sector, in which operational efficiency, digitalization and coordination among the different players in the value chain emerged as key factors to sustain competitiveness.

Tissue Summit Brasil 2026 concluded with a clear overarching message: the industry is undergoing a transformation that requires greater integration between strategy, technology and people, positioning events like this as key platforms for anticipating trends, sharing knowledge and strengthening the development of the sector in the region.