The industry
provides direct
employment for
about 260,000
people, and
indirect
employment to
some 1.8 million
people, 63% in
rural areas.
The industry
is made up of
around 800
companies and
1,200 pulp and
paper mills.
Within
Europe, Germany
is the largest
paper producer,
followed by
Finland, Sweden,
Italy and France
. The main
pulp-producing
countries are
Finland and
Sweden .
It is a
vital part of an
economic cluster
- the paper and
forest cluster -
that generates
an annual
turnover of more
than 375 billion
euros, i.e. 6.5%
of the European
manufacturing
industry’s
turnover.
CEPI member
countries
account for 27%
of world paper
and board
production,
North America is
28% and Asia is
35% .
On Energy
and Environment
The European
pulp and paper
industry has a
turnover of 79
billion euros
and a value
added of 25
billion euros.
It invests 4.7
billion euros
per year with
more than 10%
specifically
dedicated to
direct
environmental
protection.
One of the
biggest users
and producers of
renewable energy
sources. Around
50% of the
energy used for
on-site heat and
power production
comes from
biomass-based
energy. It has
invested heavily
in combined heat
and power
generation .
Paper
Consumption
Over the
last 15 years,
paper & board
consumption has
increased by an
average 2.6%
rate per annum
in Europe . In
2006, more than
56% of the paper
and board
consumption was
recycled .
In 2006,
CEPI member
countries
produced more
than 100 million
tonnes of
paper and board
and exported 18
million tonnes .
In volume terms,
graphic paper
grades account
around 48% of
the European
paper
production,
packaging paper
grades account
for 40%, and
hygiene and
specialty papers
for 12% .
Raw
Materials
The industry
uses 42% of
recycled fibres
and 42% of
virgin pulp, the
rest being other
pulp 1% and
non-fibrous
materials, 15% .
Fibres
represent about
one third of the
average cost
structure of the
European paper
industry, energy
about 13% and
personal 14% .