The French paper industry is facing a critical moment between declining production and increasing environmental constraints. Data from 2023 reveals significant challenges but also highlights opportunities for innovation and adaptation in recycling and energy efficiency.

As production declines sharply and new environmental demands become more pressing, the industry finds itself at a turning point. While the consumption of recycled paper and cardboard is rising, these numbers also reflect increasing pressure on profitability and adaptability.

Industry Status:

In 2023, the total production of paper and cardboard was 6.1 million tons, a 13.5% decrease from the previous year, marking a historic low. This decline is largely due to shrinking demand in graphic applications, which now account for only 12.4% of total demand. Meanwhile, the packaging sector, which accounts for 70% of total production, is struggling to compensate for this drop.

Ecological Transformation:

The industry is undergoing a profound transformation to meet environmental demands. The usage rate of recycled paper and cardboard has reached a record 76.9%, reflecting undeniable progress in the circular economy. However, this progress faces structural challenges, particularly with rising energy and raw material recycling costs. Additionally, investment in more robust technologies is needed to reduce factories' carbon footprints.

Industry Resilience:

Affected by international fluctuations and logistics constraints, French paper industry imports fell by 12.7% and exports decreased by 9.2%. Despite these limiting factors, the industry must innovate to ensure the sustainability of its business model.

Decline of Production Facilities:

The French paper industry has been going through a tumultuous period with a series of closures and painful restructurings. The case of the Stenay paper mill, which was forced into liquidation after two reversals in less than a year, resulting in the loss of 130 jobs, illustrates the industry's vulnerability. According to Copacel, since 2014, 10% of the industry’s production sites have disappeared, with the number of mills dropping from 91 to 81, and the workforce shrinking by 23%. This hemorrhaging is accompanied by a sharp drop in production, particularly in printing paper, where production has been reduced by two-thirds over the past decade. Once a symbol of cultural and commercial growth, graphic paper is now facing structural decline, with per capita consumption expected to drop from 135.9 kg in 2013 to 105 kg in 2023, marking the transition to digital media.