The figures, compiled by the Confederation of Paper Industries (CEPI) show that its member countries, including the UK, produced 99.5m tonnes of paper and board in 2004, above initial estimates and an increase of 4.5% on 2003.
Production levels have increased on average by 3.2% per year since 1991. Pulp production rose, the total output of both integrated and market pulp reached 42.7m tonnes for 2004, a 4.2% on 2003.
Progress towards sustainability was reflected in the growth of 4% in the use of recovered paper and 7.5% rise in waste collections to 51.5m tonnes. CEPI member states include 17 from the EU countries, plus Norway and Switzerland.
Paper production on rise in Europe
European pulp and paper producers have reported another annual increase in production, with the figures for 2004 once again at record levels.
