CEPI: paper for recycling usage climbs 1.3% in 2017

Europe – World paper and board production climbed 1.5% last year to almost 420 million tonnes, according to initial estimates.

The increase was boosted by accelerated growth of 4.7% in China as compared to 2.9% in the previous year, with strong gains also reported for Brazil and Russia. Japan registered moderate growth and US production was stable whereas contraction occurred in Canada, South Korea and India, it is reported by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI).

Representing 17 EU countries plus Norway, CEPI reckons utilisation of paaper for recycling in its own region advanced 1.3% last year to 48.4 million tonnes as members’ paper and board production increased by 1.5% to around 92.3 million tonnes; packaging output recorded growth of approximately 3.7% and graphic grades a decline of around 1.5%.

‘New capacities and upgrades of existing ones have more than compensated for closures in 2017,’ CEPI points out. Paper and board consumption across all CEPI member countries is believed to have edged 0.5% higher in 2017 – the fourth consecutive year of growth.