BCG helped define ambitious decarbonization targets and chart a path toward greater sustainability.
Changing times mean changing practices, products, and organization structures for the forest product, paper, and packaging industries. Each one must adapt to thrive in a challenging environment, with digital communications overpowering print media, pressure to cut costs through optimized operations, and intense attention focused on sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship.
To evolve, forest product companies must look to conserve resources and energy while maximizing output. Paper manufacturing companies need to seek out new applications for their products. Packaging companies must accommodate growing interest in paper-based alternatives to plastic. And all companies must embrace digital technologies to improve manufacturing, supply chains, and other processes.
BCG uses its deep knowledge of the forest product, paper, and packaging industries to establish the long-term client partnerships needed to navigate this transformation journey. We assist clients of all types by combining sector know-how, business function expertise, global coverage, and digital capabilities.
The Future of Process Industries
Explore our collection of insights and learn how to navigate the six key trends that are reshaping the future of basic and industrial materials.
Our Client Impact in Forest Products
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February 2, 2024
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December 12, 2024
BCG is helping American Forest Foundation scale up a nature-based carbon credit program and deliver 1 billion tons of climate impact by 2050.
Savings created from the launch of a new organization structure for a Middle Eastern forest and paper industry client
Increase in share price at a Nordic paper industry client that implemented capacity recommendations
Expected five-year operations
cost savings at a major Asian forest product conglomerate from implementing a value creation model
Lower logistics costs for a multisite European forest product manufacturing client that used data analytics to reallocate production
Improvement in production planning accuracy after an Asian plywood maker adopted plant-wide sales and operations planning tools
Lower harvesting and transportation
costs after a South American forest product client piloted a planning tool with advanced analytics
BCG Solutions in the Forest Product, Paper, and Packaging Industry
In addition to our proprietary sector knowledge, BCG brings ready-to-use market models, toolkits, and databases to its work with forest product, paper, and packaging clients. Project work spans key functional topics, including:
- Digital transformation
- Operations, including people and organization
- Corporate development and strategy
- Manufacturing and process improvements, including predictive maintenance and smart-factory systems
- Sales planning
- Supply chain
- New business opportunities, including new ventures, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions
For work that involves digital transformation for forest products, our industry experts work hand in hand with digital experts from BCG X, BCG’s tech build and design unit. BCG X brings together advanced tech knowledge and ambitious entrepreneurship to help organizations launch their next big bets and enable innovation at scale. Its global team of world-class technologists, scientists, programmers, engineers, and designers includes experts in advanced analytics, AI, digital solutions, launching or investing in a new business, and much more.
The BCG forest products consulting team also collaborates with other experts in the firm on issues related to sustainability, forest building materials, operations, marketing, and sales and pricing.
Our Insights on the Forest Products, Paper, and Packaging Industry
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January 27, 2025
The Cost-Saving Power in Procurement
Declining producer prices have given process industry firms a crucial but limited window of opportunity to renegotiate contracts and set a new cost baseline.
Article
August 12, 2024
The process of combining bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, known as BECCS, offers a big boost to companies looking to meet tightening emissions regulations and avoid high fees.
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August 7, 2024
Costs are threatening the ability of process companies to take advantage of both organic and inorganic growth opportunities because of expanding financial constraints.
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April 6, 2022
A global survey of 16,600 industrial sector employees reveals changing attitudes about work, what’s important on the job, and the training needed to stay ahead.
