The paper and paperboard production in Belgium has shown significant fluctuations over the years. From 2014 to 2020, there was a general upward trend, peaking at 5.49 million metric tons in 2020. However, from 2021 onwards, production has been on a continuous decline. The year-on-year variation recorded a steep decline of 8.46% in 2021, followed by further drops of 7.64% in 2022 and 5.4% in 2023, standing at 4.39 million metric tons in the latter year. The CAGR over the last five years is -3.63%, indicating a persistent negative trend.
Forecasts suggest a continued decrease in production, reaching as low as 2.67 million metric tons by 2028, with an average annual decline of 7.91% over the next five years. This represents an overall decrease of 33.78% from 2024 to 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
• Shifts towards digital media reducing paper consumption.
• Increasing environmental regulations impacting production processes and costs.
• Innovation in sustainable and recycled materials potentially altering market dynamics.
