Global graphic paper production 1961-2022

In 2022, the worldwide production of graphic papers stood at 91.3 million metric tons. This represented a slight increase in comparison to the previous year, when the global production of graphic papers recorded its lowest figure since the 1990s.

What drives the decline in graphic papers production?

Between 1961 and 2007, graphic papers production increased from just 30 million metric tons to a peak of roughly 154 million metric tons in 2007. Graphic papers constitute a broad category that includes printing and writing papers, such as newsprint, coated and uncoated papers, and specialty papers. These types of papers are mainly used for books, magazines, newspapers, catalogs, and advertising materials. The demand for graphic papers has been negatively affected by the shift to digital media, such as e-books, online news, and social media platforms. As consumers increasingly access information and entertainment online, the need for printed materials decreases. The most significant drops in production were seen in 2009 and 2020, as a result of the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Despite the downturn in graphic paper demand, production of packaging papers and paperboard has continued to rise.

Environmental footprint of paper production

The global pulp and paper industry continues to face various sustainability challenges, such as deforestation, habitat loss, pollution, waste, and growing greenhouse gas emissions. To tackle these challenges, the industry has adopted various measures such as following governmental regulations and guidelines and applying greener production techniques that reduce the environmental footprint of the production process, such as using less water, chemicals, and energy, or using renewable or recycled materials; and by joining voluntary programs that certify the sustainability of the forest management practices, the pulp and paper production, or the final products. Alongside these measures, one of the most effective ways for the industry to mitigate the environmental impact of paper production is by increasing the utilization of recycled paper. By using recycled paper, the pulp and paper industry can reduce the need for virgin wood, conserve water and energy, and minimize the amount of paper waste sent to landfills. Despite the decline in graphic papers production, the global production of recovered paper has significantly risen from 15.4 million metric tons in 1961, to 239.45 million metric tons in 2022.