Brussels, 20/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a document on the European paper industry and competitiveness, CEPI (the Confederation of European Paper Industries), underlines the inter-dependence between competitiveness and sustainability and states that “in a global context, it is fair to say that the European paper industry is in the unique position of being both sustainable and competitive”. However, CEPI maintains that there are a series of factors that impact on competitiveness, “ranging from demand growth and the cost of energy right through to exchange rates and the influence of strict environmental regulation”. CEPI outlines the ten decisive factors influencing competitiveness in the paper industry: energy; wood resources; recycled paper; labour costs; regulation; cooperation with the chemical industry; capital costs (the European paper industry has a marginal advantage over some of its global competitors because interest rates are slightly lower); transport; taxation; capacity to innovate (Europe has a supply of skilled labour and technological advantages over its competitors). Teresa Presas speaking on behalf of CEPI in a press release explained, “The European paper industry is the biggest producer and user of renewable energy in Europe; this is not recognised in legislation that promotes subsidies for the use of wood as a renewable energy source”. CEPI is therefore calling on the European institutions to ensure that legislation is investment-friendly in Europe and enables the European industry to contribute to a future which is both “competitive and sustainable”.