Visit by the Indonesian Ambassador

July 2025
Sustainability and supply chain transparency aren’t just ambitions at EBB – they’re at the core of how we operate. As a major supplier of paper, paperboard, and associated products to the UK and Irish markets, we understand the weight of our responsibility. And we believe that meaningful progress starts with honest conversations, especially at the highest level.
This week, we were honoured to welcome His Excellency Pak Desra Percaya, the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, to our Head Office in Farnborough, accompanied by his Trade Attaché and Coordinator for Economic Affairs. The visit was a rare and valuable opportunity to bring together diplomacy, trade, and sustainability under one roof.
The visit began with an exchange of gifts – a paper Indonesian flag, handcrafted from flowers, presented to the Ambassador, who in return gifted us a beautifully packaged selection of Indonesian coffee. A small but symbolic gesture that set a tone of mutual respect and openness.
Tim, Matt, and Rebecca Elliott hosted a tour of our site, showcasing our operations and walking through the scale and scope of the EBB business. We provided a detailed overview of our supply chain model, distribution network, and the wide range of sectors we support – from commercial print to food packaging and healthcare.
During the conversation, the Ambassador asked Tim, “How have you managed to keep EBB successful for 103 years?” Tim shared his philosophy: “I like the ‘K-I-S-S’ strategy – Keep It Simple” explaining that EBB’s independence and agility allow it to respond quickly to changing market conditions.
Rebecca expanded on how sustainability and transparency have become increasingly important to our customers: “EBB has invested in creating this role so we can lead the way in these areas and support our customers as they navigate complex legislation, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).”
The discussion covered some of the most pressing issues facing our industry today: deforestation, upcoming regulatory changes under the EUDR, the importance of supply chain due diligence, and EBB’s long-standing commitment to responsible sourcing. This includes the protection of Indigenous rights and the recognition of communities whose lives and livelihoods are closely tied to forested landscapes.
The Ambassador expressed Indonesia’s ambition to be a strong and credible supplier to the global market, noting that several sustainability initiatives are being prepared for rollout – many of which are dependent on the release of pledged funding from COP. He also acknowledged the challenges posed by geography, highlighting that carbon emissions from transport can disproportionately impact sourcing from regions such as Southeast Asia. Nonetheless, he stressed that transport-related carbon should not be a barrier to sustainable trade.
Throughout the conversation, there was mutual recognition of the need for open dialogue, shared responsibility, and continued collaboration across borders.
At EBB, we are proud to be part of this evolving and essential conversation and one that can help shape the future of our industry from our supply chains to our customers.
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