A possible gas embargo due to the Ukraine conflict would probably be the main threat for the Italian paper industry. Massimo Medugno, Managing Director of Assocarta, shares his assessment of the situation with EUWID.
Assocarta, the Italian association of pulp and paper producers, is concerned about gas prices that are already high and will probably rise further due to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. "We fear no direct consequences on paper trading, but indirect consequences from Russia's exclusion from the international payment system and decreasing gas availability," said Massimo Medugno, Assocarta's Managing Director.
"Italy - and Europe - are largely dependent from Russian gas. I think Italy's strategy is to increase gas imports from the south, using the Trans Adriatic Pipeline and Algerian and Libyan pipelines. Yesterday, our government has decided, if necessary, to use coal in the power plants, necessary medicine in emergency times," Mr Medugno added.
Trading embargo would mostly affect packaging paper sector
Although Italy's paper imports from Russia are limited, some sectors of the paper industry would feel the effects of a possible import embargo much more than others.
To learn more about possible effects of the Ukraine conflict on Italy's paper industry please read our e-paper, which will be available from 2 March.Online subscribers can access it here.
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