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Ronalds W. Gonzalez and Orlando J. Rojas
North Carolina State University

Paper has been one of the greatest world inventions; the role that it has played in our history and lives cannot be matched. Defined as “a felted sheet formed on a fine screen from a water suspension of fibers” (Smook 1992), paper is widely used in a myriad of applications. Since its inception, attributed to Cai Lun in the year 105 in China, many changes in the way paper is produced have taken place; however, the raw materials and principles used in its manufacture have remained essentially the same. Some of the most significant characteristics of paper includes the fact that it is renewable, recyclable and is multifunctional. Papermaking involves a number of technological developments which have been considered paradoxical (Hubbe et al. 2005); paper production is a truly fascinating technology that has evolved from an art to a science.

Paper can be produced from almost any type of fiber; including those from wood and non-wood plants. In some countries paper production is also based on agricultural residues, as, for example, sugar cane bagasse. Noteworthy, recycled fiber is used extensively in paper production. Depending on the targeted grade, non-fiber materials are also used in an amount as high as ca. 40% of the total weight. These materials, together with other additives are added to improve the process and to enhance functional and structural properties of the paper product.

The fiber and other raw materials used in paper production are chosen depending on their suitability to meet the respective specifications and end product demands. Paper made from recycled fiber is likely to have lower strength properties compared to paper produced from virgin fibers.  Long fibers are favored to produce higher paper strength while short fibers are used to improve printability.

The pulping process by which the fibers are produced and later used in papermaking is also critical in determining the strength, optical, and surface properties of the respective paper. For example mechanical pulping is carried out with a high degree of mechanical and physical treatment and as a consequence the lignin content in mechanical pulps is relatively high. Newsprint paper may contain a high amount of mechanical pulp while white and liner grades are produced with the so-called chemical pulps.  Kraft pulp, the most important chemical pulp, is produced in low yields due to the partial dissolution of the components of the fiber’s cell wall, mainly lignin; thus, chemical pulps have low lignin content.

Roughly speaking, papermaking can be described as a sequence of processes that include (Rojas et al. 2004):

Liberation of fibers (dispersion),

Refining for fiber surface development, 

Addition of papermaking aids and flocculation by polymers to improve retention,

Deflocculation before forming process, and

Forming process (web formation) and paper consolidation (pressing and drying).

The most important characteristics to differentiate paper grades are the basis weight (or grammage) and the caliper (thickness); other characteristics used to classify paper products include:

Intended use
Surface treatment applied
Color and optical properties
Raw material (fiber type) employed
Finishes and conversions applied

Paper Consumption

Some authors have shown that in a given country a relationship exists between the per capita paper and paperboard consumption and its gross domestic product (GDP) (Centeno 1986; Gonzalez et al. 2007).  A higher per capita GDP is usually linked to a higher per capita consumption of paper and paperboard (Gonzalez et al. 2004).  In 2003 the average world per capita consumption of paper and paperboard was ca. 52 Kg/person while the consumption by region was extremely dissimilar: North America, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania with consumptions of 205, 36, 6, 29, 127 and 140 kg/person, respectively (FAO 2005). Table 1 shows the per capita consumption in several countries in the Americas.  (See the attached file at the botom of this entry for all tables.)

Paper Production and Imports

In the year 2003 a total of ca. 117 million tons of paper was produced in the Americas, this figure accounted for about 36% of the total world production (see the production share per region in Figure 1).  (See the attached file at the botom of this entry for all figures.)

In North and Central America the leading producer was the United States with 76% of the total production share in 2003, the US also concentrated 85% of the paper and paperboard consumption in the same region. In South America the leading producer and consumer is Brazil. Figure 2 shows the 2005 production and consumption figures of several countries in South America. It is observed that in this region only Brazil and Chile had a positive production/consumption balance of paper and paperboard products. From year 2000 to 2005 the South American paper and paperboard production increased by 27%; Brazil, Argentina and Chile were mainly accountable for this increment with a 64, 14 and 13% of the (increment) share, respectively.

Table 2 shows the main producers of paper and paperboard in the Americas and their percent share relative to world production figures in the year 2005. Likewise, Table 3 shows the respective import figures for the same region. It is interesting to note that in both of these tables (Table 2 and 3) the same four countries (USA, Canada, Brazil and Mexico) lead the production and import allocations.

Trends

In the period 2000-2005 the region with the highest production inter-annual growing average rate (IAGA) of paper and paperboard was South America with 2.2%; North and Central America showed negative IAGA rates (-0.4%). Figure 3 displays the IAGA rate per region for the period 2000-2005.

The increment in pulp and paper production in South America is explained by the establishment of new pulp and paper mills and production upgrades in the existing ones, mainly in Brazil. The trends in production in Brazil show a reduction in newsprint grades (ca. -7% IAGA in the period 1995-2005) but an increase in production for other grades (ca +3-4% IAGA, 1995-2005) typically produced in larger volumes. In the case of USA and Canada, the trends in production indicate reduction in production of newsprint grades (ca. -2% IAGA, 1995-2005) while other paper grades do not show significant variations.

These IAGA rate figures contribute to the global world IAGA rates which in the case of newsprint grades showed an increase of 1% per year, while printing and writing paper, as well as other grades, showed an IAGA rate of 2%.

Paper vs. Electronic Media

The electronic media has affected the consumption of paper (basically newsprint, printing and writing paper). Some paper sectors have been affected by the migration to electronic media and many advertisers have opted for a multi-faceted approach to promote their products, utilizing newer technologies in addition to traditional print media.  Despite the massive use of electronic media (e.g., internet) witnessed in recent years, paper consumption still shows a sustained growth. The industry is reinventing itself and is finding out what factors make print-based advertising attractive and what value the paper and print industry can offer to advertisers. These factors are affecting the production and consumption trends in countries such as the US and Canada and, to a different extent, in most other countries of the Americas.

 

Profitability

Profitability in the industry is determined by factors such as production efficiency, industry capacity, demand, plant technology and age, labor costs, and resource costs.  However, the availability of low cost fiber and cheap work force shapes the position and increasing growth of the industry. Countries such as Brazil are experiencing this situation because they are being benefited by these two factors.

There is evidence of profitability problems in the paper industry of some countries, but the key is how this dilemma can be addressed and solved. With the exception of some paper and paperboard grades, production of traditional large volume goods in the North America cannot grow significantly any more. The availability of additional raw materials could also put in additional difficulties for domestic production. It is a common goal to keep manufacturing based on domestic new fibers. Raising the efficiency of processes is still a viable way of bolstering domestic competitiveness. Substantial growth can in turn be found by developing new refined products. Development of specialty papers and added value products is expected in the near future.

Outlook

North and Central America are one of the largest producer regions of paper and paperboard in the world, while South America is becoming a key player in the production of market pulp to face its increasing demand. This situation can be a potential symbiosis for the success of the pulp and paper industry in the Americas.  South and Central America have the potential to grow in this industry, with the help of expedited technology transfer and present and future availability of raw materials.

References

Associacao Brasileira de Celulose e Papel, 2007. Desempenho do Setor em 2006 e Projecao para 2007.  http://www.bracelpa.org.br, Accesed on 06/05/2007.

Centeno, J. (1986). El mercado de pulpa y Papel en Venezuela 1970-2000. Instituto Forestal Latinoamericano, Merida, Venezuela 1986.

FAO. (2005). Papier et carton. www.fao.org, Accessed on 06/05/2007.

FAO. (2007.) FAO STAT. www.fao.org, Accessed on 06/05/2007.

Gonzalez, et al (2007). The Performance of the Pulp and Paper Market in South America. In preparation.

Gonzalez, R., Plonczak, M., Stock J. (2004). Plantaciones Forestales e Industrias Asociadas en Venezuela. Aspectos Socioeconómicos. Revista Forestal Venezolana 48(2) 2004, 111-117

Hubbe, M. A., & Rojas, O. J. (2005) The paradox of Papermaking. Chemical Engineering Education,39(2): 146-155

Hunter, D., Papermaking –The History and Technique of an Ancient Craft, Dover, New York, 1947.

Rojas, O.J., Hubbe, M.A. (2004). The Dispersion Science of Papermaking. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 25 (6): 713-732.

Smook, G. (1992).  Handbook for Pulp and Paper Technologists, 2^nd Ed., Angus Wilde Publ., Vancouver.

Ronalds W. Gonzalez  is a Graduate Student and Orlando J. Rojas is Associate Professor, Department of Wood and Paper Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

Posted 19 August 2007

Updated 22 August 2007