How the paper industry has changed
The paper industry has seen considerable change in recent decades due to a shift in consumer behavior and increased digitalization. Just 20 years ago, newsprint accounted for 12 percent of global paper and paperboard production, but the transition to digital media platforms has seen its share of global production fall to less than four percent. Printing and writing papers have also been negatively impacted, with the annual global output of these paper grades reducing by 25 percent since 2010.In contrast, paper packaging has thrived in the digital age, especially since the e-commerce boom. For example, the annual production of corrugated case material, which plays a pivotal role in e-commerce, has increased almost 30 percent in the past decade and now accounts for 43 percent of global paper and paperboard production. The demand for corrugated case material is expected to continue growing over the coming decade to reach 221 million metric tons – an increase of 30 percent compared to 2020 levels.