Friday, October 4, 2013

RISI: Global P&B Production Slows, Still Record '12 Levels

Despite the continued decline in North America and Europe, global paper and board production still managed to advance at a meager 0.2% pace to reach a new record level of 400 million tonnes in 2012. Positive growth in tissue and packaging grades continued to offset the retreat in global graphic paper production. These and other statistics were published today in the 2013 Annual Review of Global Pulp & Paper Statistics, by RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry.
"For the past four years, China has maintained the top spot for both demand and production of total paper and board, with the US remaining in second place. China accounted for 25% of world demand and 26% of global production of total paper and board in 2012," said Kevin Conley, Senior Economist of World Graphic Paper at RISI.
"In terms of pulp production, the United States remained the top producing country in the world with 50.4 million tonnes in 2012. China came in second producing 18.2 million tonnes," continued Conley.
The 2013 Annual Review of Pulp and Paper Statistics is published annually every September and details demand, production, trade, and consumption statistics by region and country for 175 individual countries. It provides a comprehensive dataset of all key grades of pulp, paper, packaging paper, tissue, and board for the past two consecutive years.