OREANDA-NEWS. February 26, 2013. Indications are that paper and board production by CEPI member countries fell by in the region of 1.7% in 2012. It is estimated that CEPI member countries produced around 92 million tonnes of paper and board in 2012, resulting from some adjustments in production capacities with closures amounting to 2 million tonnes and new capacities or upgrading of existing ones accounting for close to 1 million tonne, as CEPI said in a press release received by Lesprom Network.

This contrasts with the peak total paper & board production of 102 million tonnes in 2007. European pulp & paper production suffered from the economic slowdown but its performance remains above other energy-intensive sectors.

According to first estimates, world paper & board production has increased by 1% in 2012. EU27, USA and Japan have registered a 1.5% contraction compared to 2011, while China, India and Russia have registered significant increases.

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is a Brussels-based non-profit making organisation regrouping the European pulp and paper industry and championing this industry’s achievements and the benefits of its products.