Industrial Buyers in European Forest Investment - with Jyri Hietala and Tapani Pahkasalo

The ForestLink newsletter sign-upCapMan Natural CapitalToday, I’m joined by Jyri Hietala and Tapani Pahkasalo, Managing Partner and Co-Managing Partner of CapMan Natural Capital. In this conversation, we discuss CapMan’s approach to active forest investment management across Europe and unpack the recent sale of a Baltic forest portfolio to Inter IKEA. Jyri and Tapani explain how they build institutional-scale portfolios, create value through forest management, renewable energy, and other ecosystem services, and position assets for different buyer profiles at exit. We also talk about what this transaction may signal for the future of European forest investment. From industrial demand for long-term wood supply to the growing importance of biodiversity, carbon, and natural capital value creation, this episode explores why high-quality forestry assets are attracting attention from both financial and strategic buyers."You need to understand who your future buyers are—financial, strategic, or impact-driven—because the way you structure your assets today, including contracts and value streams, can directly influence your exit opportunities.” - Jyri"This transaction is a strong example of building an industrial-scale portfolio and finding the right buyer who understands the value created—not just in timber, but across the entire asset, including sustainability and long-term management.” - Tapani0:11 Introduction to the episode0:20 Meet Jyri Hietala and Tapani Pahkasalo from CapMan Natural Capital0:37 Favorite trees: pine and cork oak1:46 Guest backgrounds and introductions3:52 Why Dassos joined CapMan7:07 CapMan Natural Capital’s investment approach9:37 Value creation beyond timber12:46 Current investment markets in Europe13:40 The Inter IKEA transaction14:35 How the Baltic portfolio was built17:34 Previous owners and local forest management20:12 Why Inter IKEA was the right buyer21:22 What made the transaction successful23:19 What the deal signals for European forestry25:09 Forest health, bark beetles and wood supply27:00 Industrial buyers and vertical integration29:05 Biodiversity and ecosystem services31:15 How buyer types shape portfolio strategy37:02 Offtake agreements and exit flexibility38:03 Why Europe remains attractive for investors39:32 Advice for new forest investors40:29 Where to learn more about CapMan Natural CapitalFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.