German companies in the pulp and paper industry generated total turnover of EUR 7.4 billion in the first six months of 2025, which is 2.1 per cent below the turnover in the first half of 2024.
In the first half of 2025, the production volume of paper, cardboard and paperboard in Germany totalled 9.6 million tonnes. This was 3.1 per cent below the level of the same period last year. This was reported by the association DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE.
The largest variety segment in terms of volume Packaging papers recorded stable development in the first half of the year. It benefited from the growing online trade and the increased demand for sustainable packaging solutions with a 1.5 per cent increase in production. At 6.4 million tonnes, packaging paper now accounts for around two thirds of total production.
Technical and speciality papers showed a slight decline due to the economic situation. Production fell to 731 thousand tonnes (- 1.4 per cent). Production in the graphic paper sector continued to decline in the period from January to June 2025, falling by 17% to just under 1.8 million tonnes.
Half-year sales down on previous year
The industry generated turnover of EUR 7.4 billion in the first six months of 2025, 2.1 per cent below the turnover in the first half of 2024. This means that the decline in turnover from 2024 will continue in 2025, but will be less pronounced than the decline in sales. The Sales volume fell to 9.5 million tonnes in the first half of 2025. Compared to the previous year, this represents a decline of 3.3 per cent of the total volume. Due to the weak economic situation, domestic sales fell by 4.6 per cent, significantly more than foreign sales, which fell by just 1.9 per cent, according to the report.
The export business of the pulp and paper industry, as an internationally closely interlinked intermediate goods sector, developed unevenly in the first half of 2025: A decline in exports to the western EU states of 3.6 per cent was offset by an increase in sales of 3.5 per cent to the eastern EU states.
More apprenticeships than at any time in the last 20 years
The companies in the pulp and paper industry are committed to securing skilled labour with a record number of training places on offer, clearly positioning themselves as future-oriented employers: 923 training places have been offered for the current training year - more than at any time since 2004. The number of training places actually filled also increased significantly by around five per cent to 720 (2024: 688).
Industry calls for reliable implementation of the announced energy price reductions
The industry is waiting for the implementation of the energy cost reductions announced by the coalition government, such as the abolition of the gas storage levy, the cap on grid fees and the cancellation of the electricity tax cut, according to reports. Although these have been agreed, they are not due to come into force until the turn of the year.
„The coalition's promises on energy costs have yet to be effectively honoured. A massive and permanent reduction in energy costs is of the utmost urgency for reliable framework conditions for our industry. The future of Germany as an industrial location depends on competitive framework conditions and long-term predictability. For this reason, politicians must do everything in their power to develop a reliable roadmap for energy-intensive industries that creates predictability and enables international competitiveness. Only then can the necessary investments in energy efficiency, sustainability and climate-neutral production processes be implemented in a targeted manner in order to keep industrial value creation in Germany competitive.“
Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp, President of the association DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE
Source: THE PAPER INDUSTRY
