Global graphic papers production 1961-2021
In 2021, the worldwide production of graphic papers stood at over 96 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.
Between 1961 to 2007, graphic paper production increased from just 30 million metric tons to a peak of roughly 154 million metric tons. However, due to digitalization, this segment of the paper industry has been in decline, with production volumes falling annually since then. The biggest reductions during this period occurred in 2009 and 2020, when production plummeted due to the global financial crisis and outbreak of COVID-19, respectively. While there has been a significant decline in graphic paper demand in recent years, packaging papers and paperboard production have continued to grow.
Between 1961 to 2007, graphic paper production increased from just 30 million metric tons to a peak of roughly 154 million metric tons. However, due to digitalization, this segment of the paper industry has been in decline, with production volumes falling annually since then. The biggest reductions during this period occurred in 2009 and 2020, when production plummeted due to the global financial crisis and outbreak of COVID-19, respectively. While there has been a significant decline in graphic paper demand in recent years, packaging papers and paperboard production have continued to grow.
