European paper and board production fell by 1.5% in 2025, reflecting persistent economic pressure across manufacturing and weaker demand in several product segments.
Preliminary data from the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) shows the region produced 77.6 million tonnes of paper and board during the year.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The figures highlight the continuing impact of high energy costs, regulatory pressures and geopolitical tensions on the European pulp and paper industry. While some segments remained relatively stable, overall production levels remain well below the record output seen in 2021.
Production trends in the European paper industry
The decline in European paper production in 2025 follows a volatile period for the sector. After a sharp contraction in 2023 and partial recovery in 2024, output again weakened as industrial activity slowed and supply chains adjusted inventories.
Graphic paper continued to experience the steepest drop. Production in this segment fell 7.2%, reflecting structural declines in demand for printing and writing papers. Newsprint output dropped by 7.5%, while printing and writing grades declined by around 7.2%.
Other product categories were more stable.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData- Packaging paper and board production was broadly unchanged, rising by around 0.1–0.2%.
- Tissue paper output declined slightly by 0.8%.
- Specialty and other paper grades increased by 0.4%.
Packaging grades now account for nearly 64% of total European paper and board production, highlighting the sector’s shift towards transport and retail packaging applications linked to e-commerce and consumer goods supply chains.
Demand pressure and trade developments
Weak consumption remained a key constraint for the pulp and paper sector. Apparent paper and board consumption in Europe declined by 2.2% in 2025, largely due to reduced demand for graphic paper and softer tissue consumption.
Demand in the packaging segment also faced mixed conditions. Containerboard remained relatively stable, but cartonboard demand declined by 3.5%, reflecting weaker retail and manufacturing activity.
Trade figures point to a gradual erosion of Europe’s competitive position in global paper markets. EU paper and board exports decreased while imports increased during 2025, reducing the sector’s trade surplus. Despite this shift, the region continues to maintain a positive trade balance, which remains unusual among energy-intensive European industries.
Exports still represent a significant share of production. Around 19% of European paper and board output is exported to international markets, with neighbouring European countries, Asia and North America among the largest destinations.
Global competition and industry outlook
The slowdown in European production occurred within a broader global context. Global paper and board production remained broadly stable in 2025, declining by around 0.3% overall. Several major producing countries reported larger decreases than Europe, including the United States, Japan, Canada and South Korea.
China and Brazil were among the few large producers to record output growth during the year. China’s paper and board production increased by about 2.9%, continuing a trend of capacity expansion since 2020.
Within Europe, the pulp segment showed slightly stronger performance. Market pulp production rose by 2.1%, while total pulp production declined modestly by 1.2% due to lower mechanical pulp output.
Industry organisations note that the European paper sector retains structural strengths, particularly in recycling and bio-based materials. Paper recycling rates in Europe remain among the highest globally, supporting the sector’s role in circular materials and fibre-based packaging supply chains.
Looking ahead, the outlook for the European pulp and paper industry will depend on economic growth, energy costs and the pace of demand recovery in packaging and industrial paper markets.
EU economic growth is forecast at around 1.5% in 2026, which could provide modest support for paper and board demand if manufacturing activity improves.
