The European pulp and paper sector recorded a moderate recovery in 2024, following a period of contraction between 2021 and 2023.
According to the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi), the industry rebounded across all segments while advancing on its long-standing commitments to sustainability and decarbonisation.
Production Growth Across All Segments
Paper and board production rose by 5.9% in 2024, with consumption up by 7.0%, slightly below initial expectations. Packaging paper and board led the growth at +6.7%, while tissue production increased by 5.6%. Even graphic paper – long in structural decline – saw an unexpected 3.8% uptick, suggesting a temporary stabilization in demand for books, newsprint, and printing paper.
Despite these gains, overall production in energy-intensive sectors remains 10–15% below 2021 levels, largely due to a sluggish European economy and mounting regulatory costs that continue to affect industrial competitiveness.
Trade and Global Market Pressures
Exports of paper and board increased by 4.6% in 2024 but remain 19% lower than in 2020. The pulp and paper sector is one of the few industrial sectors in Europe to maintain a positive trade balance. However, global overcapacity and rising trade tensions – particularly with the United States, Europe’s second-largest trading partner in the sector – are adding pressure to an already competitive environment.
Sustainability as a Strategic Driver
Cepi’s report also confirms a significant reduction in emissions: CO₂ emissions per tonne of paper produced fell by 6.3% in 2024, reaching 0.24 tonnes, and marking a 50% decrease compared to 2005 levels. These results reflect continued investments in energy efficiency, renewable fuels, and clean technologies.
Sustainability remains at the core of the sector’s strategy. In 2024, 91% of natural fibres used in production were sourced within the EU, mostly from sustainably managed forests and a robust recycling network. This strong domestic sourcing contributes to the EU’s strategic autonomy while aligning with circular economy principles.
A Call for Policy Support
Jori Ringman, Director General of Cepi, emphasized the sector’s resilience and urged policymakers to act:
“We have proven that industry is more resilient when it invests long-term in sustainability. We now look to the European Commission to deliver a new Bioeconomy Strategy that ensures fair competition between fossil and bio-based materials.”
The 2024 Cepi Key Statistics Report is available at www.cepi.org.
Cepi, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, represents the European pulp and paper sector. It advocates for the industry’s sustainable development, competitiveness, and innovation, driving forward solutions that support Europe’s transition to a circular bioeconomy.
