Executive summary

Situation: A global leader in sustainable packaging and paper production sought to diversify its raw material base by exploring non-wood fiber sources. The initiative focused on enhancing sustainability in key European markets.

Challenge: The company needed to identify regional supply chains and feedstocks in target European countries that could deliver scalability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits while minimizing Scope 3 emissions.

Solution: FutureScaleX (FSX) developed a structured four-step framework to assess non-wood fiber sources. The approach included: creating a long list of options, analyzing upstream supply chains, evaluating country-specific insights, and prioritizing the most viable and sustainable sourcing strategies.

Impact:
  • Recommended country prioritization strategies for non-wood fiber sourcing. 
  • Identified 8 feedstocks with the highest potential for scalability and sustainability. 
  • Proposed supply chain partners and engagement strategies to support diversification efforts. 
Driving raw material diversification through sustainable non-wood fibers

 

Business Context: Our client, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper production, is advancing its raw material diversification strategy to reinforce its sustainability commitment. A key focus of this initiative is exploring non-wood fiber sources to improve environmental performance, reduce supply chain risks in key European markets, and meet growing regulatory and market demands for greener solutions.

FSX was engaged to evaluate the potential of non-wood fibers and deliver actionable recommendations aligned with the client’s goal of cutting Scope 3 fossil CO2e emissions by 50% from 2019 levels by 2030, while fostering long-term sustainable growth.

 

Business Requirement: The client enlisted FSX’s expertise to perform a comprehensive analysis of non-wood fiber streams across key European markets. The study focused on evaluating the availability, pricing, seasonality, quality, and fiber composition of these feedstocks. It also assessed supply chain viability and environmental impacts, including CO2 emissions, water usage, land use, and soil remediation.

This in-depth analysis was designed to support strategic decision-making for prioritizing countries and feedstocks, enabling the client to achieve raw material diversification and ensure long-term sustainability.

 

Key deliverables
  • Prioritized key countries for supply chain development by evaluating supply chain maturity, feedstock availability, and volume potential to optimize procurement strategies across European markets. 
  • Delivered a comprehensive upstream supply chain analysis, identifying the top eight feedstocks in target countries, based on market availability and environmental impact, to streamline procurement alignment across regions.
  • Developed a strategic partner engagement plan, identifying critical supply chain partners in priority countries and outlining actionable steps to enable sustainable and efficient feedstock procurement.


The FSX solution framework FSX utilizes a 3-step process to conduct peer benchmarking in green hydrogen production
Assess
key-learning
Step 1:

Peer Identification & Search Engine

  • Competitor universe setup: Screened energy and industry peers who are direct competitors to the client and are active in hydrogen production. 
  • Robust search engine: Prepared robust search engine, keywords identification, and identified relevant IPCs-CPCs for different concepts. 
  • Grouping of taxonomy: Proposed structured categorization of relevant IP and academic data.  



Step 2:

IP and Academic Screening

  • IP data screening: Screened an exhaustive list of patents authored by peers.
  • Screening of NPL: Screened an exhaustive list of publications authored by peers.
  • Analyze each peer: Gathered datapoints regarding academic/industrial partners listed as co-affiliations. 
Most preferred companies
Model of engagement
Viability of GTM strategy
Entry barriers & success factors

Credibility of market claims
Action
Step 3:

Startup & Collaboration Analysis

Partnership ecosystem
  • Assessed various joint ventures and technology partnerships led by peers in hydrogen. 
Startup engagement
  • Identified peer collaborations and investments in green hydrogen startups. 
Market approach
  • Analyzed peer-led research collaborations with universities and grants provided to academic institutions.

FSX sample output

Non-wood fiber strategy country prioritization
Non-wood fiber strategy supply chain
Non-wood fiber strategy feedstock profile

The FSX methodology

Sustainable-growth-as-a-service: A systems-level approach that connects the dots, identifying critical tipping points and solutions that matter. 

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Policy & Regulation

Carrots vs. Sticks

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Innovation & Technology

Potential vs. Scale

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Techno-economics

Tipping points vs. ROI

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Supply Chain

Technical vs. Capital Readiness

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Digitalization

Time-to-market vs. Payback Period

Partnership & Ecosystem

Risk vs. Reward

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