Paper industry information business RISI has unveiled its ‘Top 50 Power List’ with Domtar president and chief executive John Williams in the top spot.

Teguh Ganda Wijaya, chairman of Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), and John Faraci, chairman and CEO of International Paper, take the second and third positions, respectively.

Now in its fifth year, the list details people, organisations, and developments that have been influential in shaping the course of the global pulp and paper industry over the year. The list is based on nominations from RISI's editors, engineers and economists, as well as from professionals and experts from within the industry.

Jussi Pesonen, CEO of UPM, Antonio Maciel Neto, CEO of Suzano, Ralph Boëttger, CEO of Sappi, James Rubright, CEO of RockTenn, Li Hongxin from Sun Paper, Fabio Schvartsman, CEO of Klabin, and Cheung Yan from Nine Dragons complete the top ten.

"While the 2012 Power List contains many familiar names, we also have up and comers such as Klabin's Schvartsman, as well as the offbeat,” says Graeme Rodden, executive editor of Pulp & Paper International (PPI) magazine. “In one way or another, they have all made a significant impact on the industry.”

Two surprise inclusions were the London 2012 Olympics, based on their decision to use a US-based company to print all the tickets, and Starbucks Coffee Company for their massive recycling initiative. Greece’s continuing economic woes, the upcoming US presidential election and the iPad 3 were also selected for this year’s list.

"Electronic media continues to impact the industry, but world events have a place too, sometimes positive and sometimes negative,” explains Rodden. “And paper packaging is becoming more and more important to the industry as it becomes clear that consumers are accepting it as the way forward in the fight to protect the environment.”

See the complete list at: http://utrk.net/1i3yc/?18UMJ00BWF1

Right: John Williams