European Paper, Board Output Falls 1.7%

CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries), Brussels, Belgium, reports that paper and board production by CEPI member countries fell by in the region of 1.7% in 2012. CEPI estimates that its member countries produced around 92 million metric tons of paper and board in 2012, resulting from some adjustments in production capacities with closures amounting to 2 million metric tpy and new capacities or upgrading of existing ones accounting for close to 1 million metric tpy.

CEPI estimates that the production of pulp (integrated + market) has decreased by up to 1% when compared with the previous year, with total output of approximately 38 million metric tons. It further estimates that output of market pulp increased by between 4% and 4.5%, while integrated pulp output decreased by 3% in 2012 when compared with 2011.

Consumption of paper for recycling by CEPI members fell by between 1% and 1.5%, CEPI estimates. Based on cumulative data up to the end of the third quarter of 2012, it is expected that total paper and board deliveries for the year will have fallen by more than 2% when compared with 2011.

It appears, CEPI says, that the overall consumption of paper and board in CEPI countries in 2012 decreased by between 4% and 5% when compared with 2011.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/