European paper industry association Cepi quotes paper and board production below 90 million t in 2019, for the first time in the last ten years.
According to Cepi preliminary figures, production in the packaging paper and board industry remained relatively stable in 2019. Production of corrugated case materials increased by 1.4 per cent and was the only segment among the packaging grades to record an increase. Production of cartonboard and other packaging board fell by 1.3 per cent against the previous year.
Contrary to previous years, the growth in the packaging paper and board industry was not enough to offset the ongoing output decline of publication and fine paper grades. Production of newsprint, magazine paper and woodfree paper grades fell by more than 8.0% in 2019.
Production of sanitary and household (tissue) papers registered a limited growth in 2019. The output increased by 1.0 per cent compared to 2018.
Total paper and board deliveries by the 18 Cepi member countries are expected to fall by 2 per cent against the previous year. According to Cepi, this was due to a slight growth in export activity in 2019, especially towards European neighbouring countries, Africa and Asia.
Consumption of paper board in Cepi countries is expected to decrease by 4 per cent compared to 2018.
This article is part of our coverage on Cepi and the European paper and board industry.
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