Turnover in the German paper and film processing industry has grown faster than the economy as a whole. Corresponding figures were presented by the German Paper Processing Association (WPV) at the end of March. Packaging made of paper, cardboard, paperboard and film delivered the strongest growth.
According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, for the fourth year in a row, the Paper, cardboard, paperboard and foils Manufacturing industry reports strong Sales growth. According to the WPV, turnover in paper and cardboard goods rose by 4.5 per cent to 18.96 billion euros in 2018 compared to 2017. Growth in the sector was therefore significantly higher than the overall economic growth in Germany's gross domestic product of 1.5 per cent.
Domestic sales as a growth driver
This growth was reflected slightly more strongly in the Domestic sales. They amounted to 13.7 billion euros in 2018, 5.1 per cent higher than in 2017. Foreign sales rose by 2.7 per cent to 4.99 billion euros in the same period. The Sector export quota This represents a slight decline to 26.3 per cent, with around 70 per cent of industry exports going to the countries of the Eurozone go. This corresponds to a four per cent increase in the absolute amount of 3.5 billion euros, according to the UPU. Sales to other foreign countries stagnated at 1.49 billion euros.
Sales with Packaging made of paper, cardboard, paperboard and film (PPK) increased even more significantly by 6.2 per cent in 2018 compared to 2017, rising to 11.40 billion euros. At 8.85 billion euros, domestic sales were even seven per cent higher than the previous year. Foreign sales of PPK packaging, on the other hand, only increased by 3.7 per cent to EUR 2.55 billion. This corresponds to a further decrease in the export ratio compared to 2017 of 22.3 per cent.
83,734 employees work in paper and film processing
Last year, the German paper and film processing companies employed an average of 83,734 employees employees, which corresponds to a further increase of 2.3 per cent compared to 2017.
The WPV's outlook for the sector is not entirely unclouded. The Cost situation is difficult. This applies above all to labour, energy and logistics costs. The industry is also concerned about international trade conflicts and the threat of „Brexit“.
