Demand for newsprint and printing paper plummeted in 2016 across Australia and New Zealand, while packaging demand increased, according to industry bible Pulp & Paper Edge's new 'Sixteen21' report.
The report, compiled by industry guru Tim Woods' Industry Edge in conjunction with Appita, captures the major trends in Australia and New Zealand's pulp and paper industries in 2016, and projects what they will look like in five years.
In Australia, demand for newsprint continued its decline, losing 4.4 percent in 2016 (though this fall was lower than the average 7.6 percent per annum over the past decade), while printing and communication paper demand slumped by 6.2 percent. Packaging and industrial paper was well up, however, enjoying an apparent 12.1 percent increase in demand.
The story was much the same across the ditch, with newsprint demand in New Zealand falling by 6.2 percent and printing and communication paper demand declining by 2.5 percent. Demand for packaging and industrial paper had a more modest gain of 2.5 percent.
According to the report, newsprint is expected to continue its steep decline with no hope of recovery, as newspaper publishers reduce the number of days that they publish. Commercial printing, meanwhile, is gradually being replaced by home and office printing as it continues to face pressure from digital media and communications.
The 'Sixteen21' report is available for free at https://appita.com/what-we-do/extensions/new-publication-sixteen-21 until the end of the year, and features detailed analysis and graphics designed to help the reader understand the major trends. Pulp & Paper Edge is available by subscription at http://www.industryedge.com.au/index.php/about/pulp-paper-edge.