Aid completely bypasses the paper value chain

In the view of the association DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE, the price brake for electricity and gas will not reach the companies. The entry hurdles for subsidies are set much too high. "What does not relieve the energy-intensive paper production will not reach the customers and consumers, i.e. not printers and publishers, not the food and pharmaceutical industry and also not the sale of hygienic paper in the retail trade," explained the president of the association, Winfried Schaur. The hope of the various value chains to regain supply and price security for paper will not be fulfilled under these circumstances.

According to Schaur, in view of the exorbitant energy prices, the paper industry faces the enormous challenge of simultaneously maintaining production, securing the long-term existence of the companies and, in addition, financing the transformation necessary with a view to sustainability. In view of the size of the problem, the promised subsidies of € 4 million are only a drop in the ocean. The energy cost increases of paper mills amount to double and triple digit millions and are not cushioned by the current price brake laws.

Schaur therefore called on the German government to renegotiate with the EU Commission on reducing the regulatory hurdles of the energy price brake. In particular, the reference period of the controversial EBITDA criterion must be renegotiated with Brussels so that the national subsidies can take effect.