Recent consultancy projects
Examples of some of the consultancy projects which we have been commissioned to undertake...
Projects primarily in the pulp and paper area
- The development of a woodchip pricing mechanism for an Asian pulp and paper producer. The client required advice on the creation of transparent mechanism for calculating transfer prices between subsidiaries in different jurisdictions.
- The outlook for the demand and supply of printing and writing papers in Asian markets. The study was commissioned by an international paper merchant as part of its review of strategic development options.
- The development of a diversification strategy for an existing European pulp producer, looking at the risks and rewards of entering the fluff and dissolving pulp markets.
- A feasibility study regarding the availability of fibre certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This study was commissioned by Kimberly-Clark in response to a shareholder resolution calling on KCC to phase out its use of non-FSC-certified wood fibre.
- The market feasibility of a project to build a bleached acacia kraft market pulp mill in SE Asia. This study was commissioned by the project's financial advisors on behalf of the project consortium.
- An assessment of the UK export market for recovered paper. This study, undertaken for a UK government agency in 2005 and updated in 2007, modelled the outlook for the global recovered paper market over the next 15 years and included a risk assessment of the UK recycling industry’s exposure to global prices for recovered paper.
- The market feasibility of a world scale market pulp mill in Brazil. A ten-year outlook for bleached eucalyptus kraft market pulp demand, supply, and prices, including the recommendations of a marketing strategy. The financial consortium commissioned the study.
Projects primarily in the biomass and bioenergy area
- The future costs of wood pellet supply. This study was commissioned by a European electricity utility which required an interactive model of forward cost curves for wood pellets supplied to north-west Europe. The analysis was used to inform forward contracting decisions and the development of internal risk management procedures.
- An analysis of the factors that will drive US wood markets over the next twenty-five years and the development of feedstock supply strategies to prospective wood-based biofuel plants in the USA. The study was commissioned by a major international oil company.
- The fifteen-year outlook for pulpwood and woodchip prices. This study was commissioned by an investor in biomass power capacity in the UK as part of its bid for project financing.
- The availability of biomass feedstock in potential supply regions. This study, on behalf of a UK investor in a biomass power project, assessed the future availability of woody biomass in target supply regions as part of the development of the plant's feedstock supply strategy.
Other forest industry consultancy projects
- A qualitative assessment of senior management in selected forest products companies. This report commissioned by a group representing a prospective investor.
- The structure of the market for minerals and fillers - for coating grades of kaolin in particular - examining market size and usage trends, competitive advantages/disadvantages of the principal kaolin suppliers etc. The study was commissioned by a private equity fund as part of the due diligence prior to a proposed acquisition.
- The size and structure of the Chinese market for stock preparation equipment (refiner plates and screen cylinders). The study was commissioned by a North American equipment supplier planning an expansion into the Chinese market.