Exports rose substantially for the third year running, mainly due to continued Asian demand and exports to Latin America topped 1 million tonnes for the first time. CEPI countries once again outperformed the other major paper producing regions of the world in terms of production. Domestically, European performance in production, trade and consumption continued to show year on year increases meaning record figures once more for production and operating rates up slightly on 2003.

Industry’s contribution to sustainability continued with increases in both collection and utilisation of recovered paper.

Paper Production

Output reached just over 99.5 million tonnes in 2004, signalling another record year for paper producers in CEPI countries in production terms. This figure shows a 4.5% increase over 2003 production levels. The long-term average annual increase for the region since 1991 stands at 3.2%. The statistics from the other major paper producing regions of the world saw production in the USA up 3.5% on 2003, while output in Japan was up by 1.4% and 2.3% in Canada on the previous year’s figures.

The industry continued its strong export performance – again mainly fuelled by Asian demand but in addition, Latin American exports topped 1 million tonnes for the first time in 2004. Shipments to Asian markets have increased by 58% since 2001 and in 2004 accounted for 36% of exports (5.3 million tonnes). Imports of paper into CEPI countries continued to fall for the fourth consecutive year, down 5.1 % in 2004. 2004 CEPI countries then can boast a positive trade balance (exports exceeding imports) in paper of 10.6 million tonnes.

In Europe consumption of paper mirrored the more encouraging figures for GDP growth, which was up 2.2% in 2004 (Eurostat – EU15), while overall consumption of paper and board across the CEPI countries rose 2.4%.

Within the grades, there was a 6.8% increase in the production of graphic grades with half of this coming from the coated graphics sector. Production of packaging grades was up by a healthier 2.4% in 2004, reflecting increased economic growth in the region.

Hygienic paper manufacturers increased their output by 2.1% in 2004, with industrial and speciality grades increasing by 1.8%

Pulp Production

As has been the case in the past, pulp output rose in line with paper and board production. Total output reached 42.7 million tonnes, a 4.2% increase on 2003. Operating rates therefore increased by 2% points to edge over 90% at 91.2%.

Recovered Paper