Brussels - It is estimated that CEPI (Confederation of European Paper industries) member countries produced less than 90 million tonnes of paper and board in 2009, the lowest annual total production since 2001. This represents a fall in the region of around 11 percent over 2008, which is slightly better than the European manufacturing industry taken as a whole. It would appear that the overall output performance of the CEPI countries in total during 2009 is much the same as that of the other major paper producing regions of the world.

Production of packaging grades decreased by nearly 7 percent

The production of packaging grades is estimated to have decreased by between 6.5 percent and 7 percent when compared with 2008. Within the grades, case materials recorded a decrease in production of approximately 6 percent, and output of wrappings decreased by over 5 percent. The fall in output of carton board plus all other packaging is estimated to be between 8 percent and 8.5 percent. Because only tonnage variations are being measured it should be noted that these volumes are affected by the continuing trend towards light-weighting.

Hygienic paper manufacturers are estimated to have seen a limited fall in output of between 2 percent and 3 percent when compared with 2008. This is mainly due to the more stable developments in the retailing sector and the fast moving consumer goods industry. Production of all other grades of paper and board declined by over 14 percent.

Pulp production falls by around 14 percent

It is estimated that the production of pulp has fallen by around 14 percent, with total output of approximately 35 million tonnes, the lowest annual total since 1996. Output of mechanical pulp is believed to have decreased by over 20 percent and production of chemical pulp fell by over 11 percent from the 2008 level.

Quarterly production levels for the first three quarters of 2009 were much lower than in the previous year. However, the final quarter is expected to record a still low but similar level of production as in the same quarter of 2008, approaching 23 million tonnes.

New statistics

Besides that, CEPI has expanded its offer on statistics packages. Next to a full set of ‘Annual Statistics’ from the European pulp and paper industry, which includes country data as well as production figures, CEPI now offers several new packages including a quarterly and even monthly package of statistics.

The packages can be combined in a very flexible way. Four different statistics packages are available, which were created to meet the needs of stakeholders from the pulp and paper industry.

Every year CEPI publishes its ‘Preliminary Statistics’ in February and the ‘Key Statistics’ in June, which are free of charge. Next to these publications the additional statistics packages offer closer monitoring possibilities and more timely observation of trends.

The latest Preliminary Statistics can be downloaded under cepi.org.

Through its 19 member countries CEPI represents some 760 pulp, paper and board producing companies across Europe, ranging from small and medium sized companies to multi-nationals, and 1080 paper mills. Together they represent 26 percent of world production.

Quelle: Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI)

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