BELGIUM – The European Panel Federation (EPF) has announced the appointment of Matti Rantanen as its new Managing Director, effective May 5,  2025.

Rantanen will succeed Clive Pinnington, who has decided to step down at the end of June 2025.

Rantanen, 40, currently serves as Director General of the European Paper Packaging Alliance (EPPA). A Finnish national, he has extensive experience in trade associations and politics, including a previous role as Managing Director of the Federation of Envelopes, Light Packaging, and E-commerce Packaging (FEPE). He holds an MBA from Turku University of Applied Sciences and has lived in Brussels since 2014.

Clive Pinnington, 59, has been with EPF since 2015, following a successful career in business, including serving as Senior Vice-President at a multinational adhesives and resins company in the wood-based panels sector. Over the past 10 years, Pinnington has played a crucial role in advancing EPF’s objectives, combining industry expertise with advocacy to drive results. He will leave EPF to explore new opportunities and spend more time with his family in London.

EPF, based in Brussels, represents the wood-based panels sector in Europe, a EUR 25 billion industry supporting 100,000 jobs. The sector is a key player in the circular bioeconomy and contributes significantly to Europe’s efforts to reduce fossil emissions, accounting for 20% of the EU’s current emissions reduction targets.

Pablo Figueroa López, Chairman of EPF, expressed his gratitude to Clive Pinnington for his leadership and welcomed Matti Rantanen to the role, noting the exciting future ahead for EPF under Rantanen’s leadership.