Compared to the figures of other European countries, production in Germany saw an even more marked decrease of 5.7%, as the association criticizes. In the first six months, the production of graphic paper was curtailed by 36.6% compared to last year. The first half-year also saw a negative development when it comes to products, which profit from online trade, i.e. containerboard, paperboard, packaging, whose production was reduced by 16.4%. Production of tissue and hygiene products (-6.3%) as well as of special types of paper (-7.8%) was unsatisfactory as well.
Germany is currently in a phase of high electricity prices and its tax on electricity is one of the highest in the EU, as Die Papierindustrie criticizes. The closure of the Sappi and UPM paper mills in Bavaria are examples of how Germany is losing well-paid jobs and economic power in rural areas. Raw material suppliers are losing customers at the expense of the joint product wood.
