OREANDA-NEWS. August 14, 2014. Finnish paper industry production in the first half of 2014 remained almost exactly level with the corresponding period of 2013.

In total, 5.2 million tonnes of paper and paperboard were produced in January-June, as the Finnish Forest Industries Federation said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. 

The decline of graphic paper production has continued, but production of paperboard and some other paper grades, such as hygiene papers, grew.

A total of 3.1 million tonnes of printing and writing paper was produced in January-June, 1.3% less than in the previous year. Consumption of graphic paper continued to decline in Europe because of structural reasons, although the rate of decline has slowed when compared to recent years.

Some 1.5 million tonnes of paperboard was produced in January-June, 0.5% more than in the corresponding period of 2013.

Finland produced 3.5 million tonnes of pulp in January-June. Even though production contracted, pulp exports increased more than 5% in the first half of 2014.