It’s been an interesting start to 2025 with disruption to global free trade agreements, continuing geo-political tensions and fluctuating markets. As we commented post pandemic, the new normal is - there isn’t one, so expect the unexpected.

Let's say you would like to stop differentiating between certification systems when it comes to buying packaging, but the message from your customer's sustainability department is that they favour one system above another because they believe that's what consumers want. We conducted just such a study and found that in reality, consumers neither knew nor cared about the difference between schemes in the case we investigated and would not necessarily favour one label above another. We helped the client make better decisions based on real insight from their target group rather than presumption.

Does it matter who designs your questions?

- Yes. Extracting meaning from data starts with asking the right questions. Who you choose to write and ask the questions makes all the difference.

And here we are again, looking back on another year and ahead to the future. It’s been a year of milestones here, not least because Opticom celebrated its 35th year of service to the forest products industry.

Over the decades, I’ve watched the sector evolve and innovate in response to a world in constant flux. I co-founded Opticom after being inspired by this industry’s potential all those years ago, and I continue to be impressed today by its resilience, sophistication, expertise and ability to move with the times. There has never been a better moment to work in an industry that has such a huge role to play in the green transition, while improving the everyday lives of people around the world. Its potential cannot, must not, be underestimated.

We know Södra understands the importance of communication and listening to their customers, because we’ve been working with them for some 20 years, conducting regular in-depth customer feedback studies and qualitative market research on their behalf.

In March the EU introduced new rules to ‘empower consumers for the green transition’. Among other aims, the Directive seeks to forbid vague environmental claims, stating that “companies will no longer be able to declare that they are ‘green’ or ‘environmentally friendly’ if they cannot demonstrate that they are”. Displaying unreliable voluntary sustainability logos will also be forbidden. EU countries are required to transpose the Directive into their national law by March 2026 and the rules are currently set to apply from September 2026. In parallel, the Green Claims Directive aims to ensure that companies substantiate any green claims or labels they use.

There’s little doubt that AI will prove to be one of the big disruptors in the near future. We’re always keen to embrace change at Opticom, but as Research & Sustainability Team Lead, Niklas Schulz, points out, AI is a tool to enhance human productivity, not replace it.

In our latest Health Newsletter we're excited to bring you an exclusive interview with Johan Juhlin, CEO of Mavatar, sharing his insights on the evolving landscape of health innovation. We also feature a testimonial from Petter S. Lindqvist, CEO of Isofol, highlighting their impactful journey in oncology.

Plus, don't miss our latest updates on discussions with Life Science companies, industry organizations, and patient advocates as we prepare for Almedalsveckan 2025.

Read the full newsletter here!

This past June, Opticom was excited to participate in Almedalsveckan 2024, an annual event that brings together industry leaders in Sweden to discuss key public policy, business, and technology trends. Our team's engagement in these discussions was met with enthusiasm, highlighting our commitment to leading and innovating within our industry.

We know that most consumers strongly support the green transition, that they like the idea of bio-based products, but they are still not keen on the idea of cutting down trees to help produce them. There’s a disconnect when it comes to understanding that harvesting sustainably-managed forests has huge potential to be part of the solution, not the problem.

We understand that trees evoke an emotional response, and there is no question that we need to protect old-growth and high-value conservation areas, but as the bioeconomy and increased competition from new sectors drive demand for forest materials, how can we meet this rising demand without cutting down more trees? Competition for wood resources is intensifying at a time when supply has tightened, whether from natural disasters, geopolitical forces (Russian exports of wood have halted since its invasion of Ukraine) or mounting regulation.

Every three years, we conduct an in-depth customer study for SCA Containerboard. Mikael Frölander, VP Sales & Marketing SCA Containerboard, explains why:

“We got the results of our latest study from Opticom in June, and we are currently analysing the findings. This is the fourth in the regular series, so we have been working with Opticom to better understand our customers for over a decade. Consistency is important. As well as understanding the mood of the day, we can also track and monitor our performance and the market as viewed by our customers over time. We can see what customers perceive we have done well, where we’ve improved or where there is more to be done. The beauty of this study is that Opticom knows us, understands the industry, and can gather meaningful, reliable and detailed feedback on our behalf.”

Malin joined us in March, bringing a wealth of marketing and communications expertise from her experience in manufacturing and automotive sectors, as well as real estate. She has a track record of understanding complex value chains, discerning customer needs, and a particular interest in digital media.

At Opticom, sustainability has been a core value since our foundation in 1987. As we guide our clients through their most pressing sustainability challenges, we believe in leading by example. For the third consecutive time, we have been certified by EcoVadis, earning the Silver Medal (Top 15%) while continuously improving our scores.

The forest industry is possibly the greenest industry we know! It must be, as an industry dependent on forests cannot afford to neglect or destroy the very resource it relies on for survival.

Welcome to the latest edition of Opticom's Health Newsletter! Across Europe, the health and life sciences industry are rapidly evolving with significant advancements in digital health technologies and personalized medicine. The EU's regulatory landscape is adapting to support these innovations, ensuring patient safety while fostering technological growth. Globally, there is a marked increase in the adoption of telemedicine and AI-driven diagnostics, which are revolutionizing patient care and operational efficiencies in healthcare systems.

On May 6th 2024, the doors of Forskaren opened, marking a significant milestone in the realm of scientific and technological innovation. Representing Opticom, we were privileged to be among the attendees at this momentous event, witnessing the unveiling of a space that promises to redefine the landscape of research and development.

The pharmaceutical industry plays a crucial role in global healthcare but its operations have a significant environmental impact. From the production process to the disposal of medications, the industry contributes to a considerable carbon footprint. This issue has prompted various global initiatives, including notable efforts, such as the ones in Sweden and the USA, which aim to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceutical activities. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions and collaborative efforts, reflecting Opticom's commitment to integrating environmental sustainability with strategic business insights.

It’s been a busy quarter here, not least because we are seeing increased demand for our services when it comes to sustainability issues. Clearly, all things green, and listening to what consumers as well as direct customers are saying and thinking about sustainability, is key - now more than ever.

Don’t take our word for it. That’s the view from SCA Pulp’s Sales Director for Italy and Austria, Marcus Hellberg, who recently hosted a workshop event with us to review the results of their latest in-depth customer study with Opticom.

Swedish forest products group Södra has been working with Opticom for some 20 years to track customer satisfaction for its pulp products. Now its Bioproducts team has added us to its toolbox, conducting the company’s first in-depth survey of its growing solid bioproducts customer base.