Chinese paper industry returns to the growth zone in 2023
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After a decline in production and consumption, the Chinese pulp and paper industry is back on track for growth in 2023. Nevertheless, the environment remained difficult, writes the Chinese Paper Association: High demand volatility and escalating prices for raw materials put pressure on companies to transform.
Total consumption of paper and cardboard by Chinese consumers rose by 6% to a new record of 132 million tons in 2023, after falling by 2% in 2022. This is higher than domestic production, which also grew faster. Per capita consumption in China increased to 93 tons after 88 tons in the previous year.
The structural decline in demand for graphic paper was also felt in China, but only affected newsprint and, at around 4.4%, was significantly lower than in Europe, for example. There was a clear upturn in the packaging sector. After a year of stagnation, consumption of liner and fluting increased by more than approx. 8 %. Consumption of bleached cardboard and packaging paper rose by around 5.6% and 5.8% respectively.
