Finland’s Production of Pulp, Paperboard and Softwood Sawn Timber Up in First Half 2016
(Helsinki, August 16, 2016) The forest-based sector’s [Finland] recent investments have boosted production of both paperboard and pulp in the first half of the year. Paperboard production increased 6.6% in January-June and pulp production was up 4.2% compared to the corresponding period of 2015. Production of softwood sawn timber likewise increased substantially in January-June, with output up some five percent. Total softwood sawn timber production came to 5.8 million cubic metres.
The forest-based sector produced a total of 1.6 million tonnes of paperboard and 3.7 million tonnes of pulp in the first half of 2016. Paper production continued to contract and totalled 3.4 million tonnes in the first half of the year, down 6.7% from January-June 2015.
April-June paperboard production totalled 810,000 tonnes, representing an increase of 4.8% from the corresponding period of the previous year, while pulp production grew 4.4% in the second quarter to a total of 1.9 million tonnes.
Forest industry corporations produced no less than eight percent more of softwood sawn timber in April-June than in the corresponding period of 2015 and production grew to 3.1 million cubic metres. Paper production contracted 8.5% in the second quarter to a total of 1.6 million tonnes.
Forest industry investments have started to grow, but this positive development can only continue in a competitive operating environment. The European Union is currently deliberating on several matters that have an impact on the forest-based sector.
“Proposals regarding the European Union’s implementation of the Paris climate agreement were complemented by the Commission’s publication of emission-reduction obligations for sectors not covered by emissions trading. The 39% emission-reduction target imposed on Finland is very challenging. The possibility of taking full advantage of sustainable annual harvesting opportunities must be ensured when drafting regulations concerning the climate and the environment. In addition, measures must be taken to minimize the risk of carbon leakage,” says Timo Jaatinen, Director General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.
To learn more, please visit: www.forestindustries.fi (Source: Finnish Forest Industries Federation)
