It is so important to the national good of the economy. With many jobs and livelihoods, are so depending on the paper industry in the UK today for development and prosperity for a long time into the future!
Paper Industry in the UK Today
I have for some time been looking at putting together some facts and figures covering this industry.
While I am out and about during my engineering work and machinery sales for the manufacture & converting sector of this industry. I am occasionally asked about different aspects regarding facts and figures, covering the quantities of paper consumption used in the UK today…?
While in conversation about general topics concerning the performance of different machinery that could help production personnel and the productivity benefits to these companies.
Occasionally, I have replied, that your managers will hold this kind of information as they are always on the lookout for ways to improve production and quality with the least possible expense.
Some turn out to be helpful, while many others are more focused on daily production and productivity goals being fulfilled, with the kit that they have on the shop-floor now.
And rightly so, because if these very important aspects are not continuously being met and fulfilled, they can quickly lead to more severe conditions coming into existences….!
Perhaps, there could be some middle ground established whereby both can have satisfaction and fulfilment..?
The Size of the UK Paper Industry
In general terms, the size of this industry is big, but not the largest in the UK. With over 50,000 employees, across approximately 1400 companies, generating a turnover of near £11 billion a year in 2016.
In recent years, the paper industry in the UK produced just under 4 million tons of paper per year. With a further 6 million tonnes imported for conversion into paper products. No wonder many companies between them, are investing hundreds of millions of pounds into this industry to sustain growth, profitability and competitiveness on a world scale.
With almost 70% (one of the highest in the World) of the UK’s used paper, going into recycling paper mills, for manufacturing into new packaging products. It falls far short of the total demand for all paper-based product requirements for the whole economy.
Large amounts of raw materials, such as paper pulp, and wood chip are also imported each year and is on the increase.
Imports of Finished Paper Reels
Not to mention, the vast shiploads of finished paper reels that arrive on many of the UK’s docksides, before they travel on to the various converting factories to make many different kinds of paper packaging products.
I have not said anything about the tissue paper industry, that helps to supply, so many of the hygiene products that we all use every day in our homes and hospitals.
After all, the paper holds a unique position as raw material, it’s renewable & recyclable nature, lends itself well to come in at the start, as high-quality paper in the first stage. Then be recycled into lower quality products as it goes through many cycles of the reusable packaging supply chain.
The paper Industry in the UK Today
In my sector of the industry corrugating & solid fibreboard manufacture and converting machinery. I have seen many large new investments going into place. So that these companies will remain in a very strong competitive position for many years to come in their own marketplace.
Along with the purchase of new machinery, come new techniques & methods coupled with new technology. This generally means that new machinery, have a higher standard of safety, will run faster, more accurately, with reduced waste, & less noise.
In most cases, less manpower is required to operate the new equipment, with an increase in product quality and productivity, & higher safety standards are implemented from day one. Coupled with higher levels of technical training for machine operators to understand the new methods of machine operation and computer control systems.
With new improvements incorporated into the new machinery, means that operators require much higher levels of understanding of the control of the processes involved, to operate the new machinery effectively and efficiently.
As the demand for paper products continues to increase in the UK, if the supply is not met by home industries, then foreign companies will soon fulfil that demand. For instants, some sectors of manufacturing industries have seen steady growth over many years.
As an example, the value of printing and food packaging products stand around £400 million and £600 million respectively per year. Corrugated products mostly for boxes, make up almost 50% of the total consumption of paper in the UK today.
This works out at just under 2 million tonnes of a corrugated board made in the UK for the year 2016. As for the 6 million tonnes imported each year will give you a good idea of the total size of this industry in the UK at the moment!
By comparison, all major countries in the Eurozone have invested more in new machinery over the last few years than the UK…? Germany for example, has invested almost twice as much, as the UK in new machinery and equipment in this industry, over recent years…!
Here is a brief update of what DS Smith’s research found regarding the present stock of waste paper in the UK household recycle bins….!
DS Smith’s new research reveals bulging bins as lockdown trends compound outdated recycling system in the UK
Posted in:
LONDON, March 10, 2021 (Press Release) -New research has revealed a recycling crisis in the UK with households simply running out of room in their bins and unable to recycle cardboard properly.
How are corrugated boxes made?
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