Great year for the European paper industry

Archiv – Latest statistics from the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) confirm a solid performance in 2004.Latest statistics from the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) confirm a solid performance in 2004.
European paper industry exports rose substantially for the third year running, mainly due to continued Asian demand; in addition, exports to Latin America topped 1 million tonnes for the first time. CEPI countries once again outperformed other major paper-producing regions of the world in terms of production, while trade and consumption continued to show year-on-year increases.
Output exceeded 99.5 million tonnes in 2004 to set another record for paper producers in CEPI countries: this figure is equivalent to a 4.5% increase over 2003 production levels. The average annual increase for the region over the last 14 years stands at 3.2%.
Shipments to Asian markets had increased by 58% since 2001 and, in 2004, accounted for 36% of all exports (5.3 million tonnes). Imports of paper into CEPI countries fell for the fourth consecutive year (by 5.1%). Overall, last year saw CEPI countries boast a positive trade balance in paper (exports exceeding imports) of 10.6 million tonnes.
Overall consumption of paper and board across CEPI countries rose 2.4% last year to mirror the more encouraging GDP growth figure which, according to Eurostat, was up 2.2% for the 15 established members of the EU.
The CEPI statistics reveal a 6.8% increase in the production of graphic grades, with half of this increase coming in the coated graphics sector. Production of packaging grades improved by 2.4% in 2004, reflecting increased economic growth in the region. Hygienic paper manufacturers increased their output by 2.1% last year, with industrial and speciality grades increasing by 1.8%.
Pulp output rose in line with paper and board production, climbing 4.2% to 42.7 million tonnes; operating rates therefore increased by two percentage points to edge through the 90% barrier to 91.2%.
In terms of recovered paper, utilisation increased by 4% last year while apparent collection was up by 7.5% to 51.5 million tonnes. This means that pulp made from wood represents 43% of the total used, while recovered paper accounts for 41% of total fibre demand in CEPI countries.
www.cepi.org
European paper industry exports rose substantially for the third year running, mainly due to continued Asian demand; in addition, exports to Latin America topped 1 million tonnes for the first time. CEPI countries once again outperformed other major paper-producing regions of the world in terms of production, while trade and consumption continued to show year-on-year increases.
Output exceeded 99.5 million tonnes in 2004 to set another record for paper producers in CEPI countries: this figure is equivalent to a 4.5% increase over 2003 production levels. The average annual increase for the region over the last 14 years stands at 3.2%.
Shipments to Asian markets had increased by 58% since 2001 and, in 2004, accounted for 36% of all exports (5.3 million tonnes). Imports of paper into CEPI countries fell for the fourth consecutive year (by 5.1%). Overall, last year saw CEPI countries boast a positive trade balance in paper (exports exceeding imports) of 10.6 million tonnes.
Overall consumption of paper and board across CEPI countries rose 2.4% last year to mirror the more encouraging GDP growth figure which, according to Eurostat, was up 2.2% for the 15 established members of the EU.
The CEPI statistics reveal a 6.8% increase in the production of graphic grades, with half of this increase coming in the coated graphics sector. Production of packaging grades improved by 2.4% in 2004, reflecting increased economic growth in the region. Hygienic paper manufacturers increased their output by 2.1% last year, with industrial and speciality grades increasing by 1.8%.
Pulp output rose in line with paper and board production, climbing 4.2% to 42.7 million tonnes; operating rates therefore increased by two percentage points to edge through the 90% barrier to 91.2%.
In terms of recovered paper, utilisation increased by 4% last year while apparent collection was up by 7.5% to 51.5 million tonnes. This means that pulp made from wood represents 43% of the total used, while recovered paper accounts for 41% of total fibre demand in CEPI countries.