Paper industry in the UK - statistics & facts
The United Kingdom has a long history in the paper industry, with the world’s first mechanical paper machine installed at the Frogmore Paper Mill in 1803. The paper industry still plays an important role in the UK's economy, employing almost 60,000 people, generating some 12 billion British pounds in revenue each year, and bringing in more than 3.5 billion British pounds of gross value added. And while the UK might not be a major paper producer like China, the United States, or Japan, it was still the 20th largest paper producing country in the world in 2022.
Unlike many other paper-producing countries, the UK lacks large forests. However, its population provides large amounts of recycled paper each year. Because of this, recovered papers account for roughly 70 percent of the UK paper industry’s papermaking raw materials, with woodpulp accounting for a quarter.
UK paper production does not cover domestic demand, so the UK is also heavily reliant on paper imports. In fact, the UK accounted for 4.4 percent of global paper imports in 2022. UK paper imports exceeded domestic production for the first time in 1981.
Paper production in the UK
UK paper and boards production decreased in 2022, from 3.64 million metric tons in 2021 to a value of 3.46 million metric tons in 2022, of which 1.48 million metric tons was corrugated case materials. Also known as containerboard, corrugated case materials are used in the production of corrugated packaging. The rising demand for paper packaging in recent years has seen case materials production in the UK increase more than 12.6 percent compared to 2010. In comparison, the production of graphics papers has plummeted due to increased digitization.Unlike many other paper-producing countries, the UK lacks large forests. However, its population provides large amounts of recycled paper each year. Because of this, recovered papers account for roughly 70 percent of the UK paper industry’s papermaking raw materials, with woodpulp accounting for a quarter.
How much paper does the UK consume?
The UK is one of the largest paper consumers in the world. In 2022, the UK consumed 7.2 million metric tons of papers and boards. Packaging is the most consumed paper type in the UK, accounting for almost 60 percent of consumption in 2022. In comparison, printings & writings papers accounted for 19 percent of consumption, and tissue paper products such as toilet paper and hygiene products accounted for 13 percent.UK paper production does not cover domestic demand, so the UK is also heavily reliant on paper imports. In fact, the UK accounted for 4.4 percent of global paper imports in 2022. UK paper imports exceeded domestic production for the first time in 1981.
