European 2013 Paper, Board Output Estimated to Decline 1.3%

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CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries), Brussels, Belgium, reports that, according to preliminary figures, paper and board production by its member countries declined some 1.3% in 2013, with production totaling about 91 million metric tons. Mill and paper machine closures in the EU27 in 2013 amounted to 2.4 million metric tons, while new and upgraded existing capacity totaled 1.6 million metric tons.

CEPI member countries produced approximately 37 million metric tons of pulp (integrated and market) in 2013, representing a decrease of 1.8% compared with 2012. Market pulp production increased about 4.3%. Use of recovered paper by CEPI members increased by 0.5%. Demand for graphic paper continued to decline, but was offset by increased demand in the packaging paper and board sector.

Based on cumulative data at the end of the third quarter of 2013, total CEPI member country paper and board deliveries for the year are expected to fall by 1.5% - 2.0%, compared with 2012. Overall consumption of paper and board in CEPI countries last year appears to have declined 1.0% and 1.5%, respectively.

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