Pulp and paper industry in Europe

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The Pulp and paper industry in Europe accounts for about a quarter of world production and is a major employer. The leading producing countries are Finland, Sweden and Germany. The industry is a large user of renewable energy and is achieving a recycling rate over 70%.

Production data

The European paper industry produces more than 92 million tonnes of paper and board and more than 38 million tonnes of pulp annually. It provides directly more than 185,000 jobs and indirectly 3 million jobs along the forest and paper chain.[1] Its turnover is approximately 180 billion euros.[2] Over 500 companies are represented by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) and these account for 23% of world production.[3] Europe accounts for around 44% of global exports of forest products.[4]

The raw material consists of 40% recycled fibres and 44% virgin pulp, the balance being other pulp (1%) and non-fibrous materials (15%). 94% of the wood requirements come from managed forests within Europe.[4]

In national terms the largest paper producer is Germany, followed by Finland, Sweden and France; the largest pulp producers are Finland and Sweden.[4] The two largest European companies in the sector, Stora Enso and UPM, are both based in Finland.

Renewable energy

The European pulp and paper industry is the largest industrial producer and consumer of energy from renewable sources. Its share of biomass-based energy exceeds 55% of its total primary annual energy consumption of 1,222,039 TJ.[1] The sector has adopted an objective to reduce carbon emissions of 80% by 2050, which is likely to involve new technological methods to reduce water usage and thus reduce energy usage.[2]

Recycling

Recovered paper and board are a major source of the paper industry’s raw material, which is why the industry aims to maximise the European recycling rate. The recycling rate along the paper value chain (ERPC) reached 63.4% in 2006, and reached 71.7% in 2012 - exceeding the voluntary target of 70% that was set by the industries declaration in 2011. The total amount of paper collected and sent to recycling in paper mills in 2012 was 58 million tonnes, an increase of 18 million tonnes (or 45%) since 1998, the base year for the target. 6% was exported for recycling in third countries.[1] The recycling rate is now considered close to its maximum possible.[2]

Leading companies

In 2011 the top 10 forest and paper products companies in Europe were:[5]

Rank Company Country
1 Stora Enso  Finland
2 UPM  Finland
3 SCA  Sweden
4 Smurfit Kappa Group  Ireland
5 Mondi Group  United Kingdom
6 Metsäliitto  Finland
7 Sequana Capital  France
8 DS Smith  United Kingdom
9 Norske Skog  Norway
10 Lenzing  Austria

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 CEPI Sustainability CEPI Sustainability Report 2013
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ CEPI
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Global Forest & Paper Industry Survey, PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2012

External links

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