Europe’s paper output increases in 2017

CEPI also reports a 7.5 percent jump in mill investments in Europe and points to sustainability factors.


The Brussels-based Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) has reported a 1.5 percent increase in paper and board production in Europe in 2017 compared to the previous year.

The association’s review of 2017 data also points to a 0.5 percent rise in paper consumption in Europe, which ties into the data point that paper and board exports from Europe rose 5.2 percent in 2017 compared to 2016.

Perhaps most encouraging for Europe’s paper industry, CEPI indicates 2017 demonstrated 7.5 percent growth in mill and downstream investments in 2017 compared to the year before. The more than €5 billion ($5.87 billion) leap in spending “is aligned with the transformation outlined in the industry’s 2050 ‘Investment Roadmap,’” according to CEPI.

 “The 2017 figures demonstrate that the European pulp and paper industry is achieving a phenomenal turnaround,” says Sylvain Lhôte, CEPI Director General. “Whether it is production, added value or exports, all key indicators are positive. The current level of investment, not seen since 2005, is indicative of [the] industry’s self-confidence and the acceleration of its transformation.”

CEPI points to “a more favorable economic environment and from conditions promoting sustainable solutions,” as reasons behind the industry’s positive figures in 2017.

States the group in comments released along with the figures, “The industry has proved [capable of excellence] when it comes to paper for recycling. Notwithstanding the introduction in 2017 of the Chinese [scrap] import restrictions, the paper and board recycling rate has increased to 72.3 percent. This comes in the same year that industry has witnessed a 1.4 percent increase in the utilization of paper for recycling.”

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