Issues in the Future of Paper
Demend
The major issue facing the paper industry in 2070 will be lack of demand, no other issue is as paramount. The paper industry is already seeing declines contracting slightly over the past 5 years
Over the past 5 years the industry has seen a steady yearly 0.5% decline in revenue. This is rate of decline is expected to increase as we approach 2070 due to most sources of paper sales forecasting a long term decline in sales.
This is primarily due to the transition to digital communication and paperless media. Some of the main paper uses advertising, paperback books and office paper have all declined in revenue over the last few years. Even the increased need of paperboard and packing paper has been unable to upkeep the Paper Industry’s revenue.
New Zealand is amongst the top 20 global suppliers of paper and forestry products. This means that the continued production of paper will be important for global exports.
Radiata pine is the most common tree used to make wood products. There is an increased demand for higher value specialty wood products. This means that there is increase in market for more expensive and valuable products.
