5 June 2023

In this series, PaperOne™, the flagship brand of leading pulp and paper manufacturer APRIL Group, interviews our distinguished partners, whom we recognise as thought leaders of our sector, to unlock the secrets of their success.

Sustainability Is More Than a Buzzword, It Is the Way Forward

A member of the Japan Pulp & Paper Group, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, OVOL Singapore is the leading paper and material supplier in the country. The company makes it their mission to be part of the circular economy through harnessing the possibilities of paper. In this June feature, we sit down with CEO Ms Genevieve Chua to tap into her insights on the future of the industry and reminisce on some of the highlights of OVOL Singapore’s decades-long partnership with APRIL Group.

Hi Ms Chua, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Could you share with us what your company does?

Of course. We distribute a wide range of paper and other related products to the offset print industry, such as small and large format printers for extensive applications in commercial print, packaging, indoor, and outdoor advertising. Our production facilities also enable us to provide converting, rewinding, and guillotine services for our customers’ bespoke requirements. In Singapore, we’re also a major distributor of office papers! Did you know that we were the first paper merchants to get FSC-certified in Singapore?

Wow we didn’t know that, that’s very interesting

Yes, we got our FSC certification back in June 2007. We carry a wide range of environmentally-friendly products for printers, design agencies, publishers, officers, and other end users.

That’s good to hear. How long have you been with the company, and what do you enjoy about this industry?

I’ve been with the company since 1990, which makes this my 33rd year in the industry! In these last three decades, I’ve seen all the highs and lows, the expansions, consolidations, exits throughout the supply chain, natural disasters, technological advances that have affected supply and demand, and other economic factors that impact consumer choice. Suffice to say, there’s hardly been a dull moment! All these years have further strengthened our strategic direction and resilience toward ensuring we remain a sustainable business that delivers value to our stakeholders.

We love hearing about businesses that share our goals in sustainability for the future! How has PaperOne helped your company in your mission?

PaperOne has been a reliable and supportive partner through the years, delivering quality products aligned with our commitment toward providing value for our customers. As a strong advocate for sustainability, OVOL Singapore benefits from PaperOne’s focus on green credentials and sustainable forest management. For example, PaperOne achieving the Singapore Green Label enables us to continue supporting the industry requirements in this area.

What PaperOne products do you sell?

Uncoated Woodfree, PaperOne All Purpose, PaperOne Copier, and PaperOne Digital. The Woodfree and Copier papers are the most suitable for commercial print applications, such as annual reports, brochures, marketing collateral, and office-related communication material.

What do you think is the key to promoting sustainability in the community?

Well … As you know, we are a market leader providing options for more environmentally-friendly and sustainably-sourced products. For us, working with strategic partners is an important component of promoting sustainability. We usually conduct a review of our main partners to ensure that our sustainability goals are aligned. Being the first in our industry to attain the LowCarbonSG mark, we were pleased when PaperOne launched their Digital 80gsm Carbon Neutral paper, which is an option that we can offer to our customers. We have also introduced various initiatives for waste reduction in our business practices, and support any continued innovation that can help to reduce carbon and improve overall recycling efforts!

That’s great, we heard you visited our paper mill in Kerinci, Indonesia too!

Yes, that was unforgettable – travelling with our international publishing customers to the mill as well as other memorable events such as tree planting organised by PaperOne. For me, one of the best memories was the trip to Kerinci in May 2019. Not only did I have the privilege of flying in a helicopter to be a part of the Restorasi Ekosistem Riau programme in the Kampar Peninsular, but I also got to take an enjoyable boat ride into the biodiverse forest. It was an excellent educational experience to learn about APRIL Group’s, and by extension, PaperOne’s commitment to forest conservation and sustainability.

Yes, it’s wonderful to meet partners we can work with toward common sustainability objectives!

Definitely. PaperOne is a key strategic partner of OVOL Singapore, and we’re delighted to continue growing this excellent business relationship. Moving forward, I envisage this partnership to bring more sustainable options for our customers, improve the global carbon footprint, be a reliable source of information when it comes to market trends, and continue supporting the relevance of print in today’s world. A fantastic example of what our collaboration can yield would be the webinar on market trends for the print industry that we organised in March 2022, which saw quite an impressive turnout.

Lastly, we wanted to find out your thoughts on the future of the pulp and paper industry. How can we stay ahead of the curve?

It is inevitable that the push for digital solutions, reduced expenditure on print for cost savings, and the perception that printing contributes to environmental waste, have contributed to a structural decline in demand for print. To remain sustainable, we must fulfill three criteria. Firstly, to identify new revenue streams and products that fit the evolving market requirements. Next, to critically review operational efficiency and reduce cost. Finally, to identify strategic partners like PaperOne, and continue to build on these relationships so that we remain up to date with industry trends and innovations, and be cost competitive. Despite these odds, I still see a lot of value in print. Therefore, to stay ahead of the curve, we must continue to promote the relevance and effectiveness of print, be cost-efficient, and never stop identifying sustainable and innovative solutions.

Thank you for sharing your time and wisdom with us, Ms Chua. PaperOne is honoured to support an organisation with such clear strategic vision and sustainability goals as OVOL Singapore. We hope to enjoy many more years of successful partnership with you.