German paper industry under pressure: Association warns of further weakening of the industry
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Plant closures, declines in production, and investment backlogs are weighing on the paper industry. At the Paper Summit 2025, the association DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE therefore called for decisive action from politicians to significantly reduce energy prices, taxes, and bureaucratic burdens.
The German paper industry continues to find itself in a tense situation. At the Paper Summit 2025 in Berlin, Hans-Christoph Gallenkamp, president of the association DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE, warned of a further weakening of the industry's position. Energy prices, tax burdens, and bureaucracy urgently need to be improved in comparison to other countries in order to ensure the competitiveness of the industry.
According to the association, the industry is already in its third year of recession. In Germany, 129 mills with 218 paper machines are currently in operation. In 2020, there were still 152 mills and 260 machines. This means that around 15% of sites and plants have been shut down within five years. Production also continues to decline: in the first half of 2025, paper and paperboard production in Europe fell by 1.3% to 39.6 million tons. In Germany, the decline was significantly greater at 3.2%, which was around two and a half times higher than the European average.
The industry also recorded a decline in investment. While more than €288 million was invested in building up assets in 2024, investment this year has so far amounted to only €11 million. The weak investment activity is a further sign of the difficult economic situation facing companies, it continues.
