Cepi Flags Rising Challenges for Europe's Paper Industry

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Europe's paper industry is facing increasing challenges as production continues to decline and competitive pressures intensify, according to Cepi's 2025 Key Statistics Report. The report warns that the sector's industrial base is gradually weakening.

Paper and board production fell by 1.6% in 2025 to 77.4 million tonnes. Market pulp production recorded modest growth of 1%. However, early data for 2026 suggests further weakness, with production during the first quarter already 2.4% lower than the same period last year.

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Packaging paper production remained broadly stable, although cartonboard output declined by 5.4%, while graphic paper production dropped by 7.3% as demand for printing and writing papers continued to shrink. Excluding graphic papers, overall production remained relatively steady but was still 7% below the record levels achieved in 2021.

European paper manufacturers are also facing growing international competition. The industry has continued to lose production capacity over the past three years, while imports accounted for a record 7.7% of consumption. Meanwhile, exports still represent more than one-fifth of total production.

Despite these market pressures, the industry continued to improve its environmental performance. Producers reduced specific carbon dioxide emissions by 10.2% during 2025, the report said.