The forecast for the number of pulp, paper, and paperboard enterprises in Germany from 2024 to 2028 predicts a consistent decline. Starting at 244 enterprises in 2024, numbers are expected to reduce steadily to 218 by 2028. Compared to 2023, this decline highlights the impact of ongoing industry challenges and structural changes potentially affecting new business entries and existing firms. Year-on-year variations show a moderate contraction in market participants, averaging around a 2.24% annual decrease over the forecasted period.

Future trends to monitor include:

The impact of digital transformation and increased digitization on paper demand.
Regulatory changes related to environmental standards affecting production.
Innovations in sustainable materials and products as potential growth areas.
Global supply chain dynamics influencing market entries and exits.