Prospects and opportunities in China’s pulp and paper industry 

Although the use of paper and pulp has decreased in traditional settings, most notably in areas that have digitized, such as communications, media, and documentation, other recent phenomena have helped to offset this decline. 

For instance, the fast rise of e-commerce and delivery services has increased demand for corrugated paper and cardboard. Food delivery is a booming industry in China, and as consumers and companies increasingly worry about environmental impact, the demand for plastic alternatives will continue to rise.

For the same reason, recycling and waste management also present considerable potential, as the country looks to develop a circular economy. The 14th Five Year Plan for the Development of the Circular Economy, for instance, aims to increase waste paper utilization to 60 million tons by 2025.

Companies may also be able to tap into the high-quality specialty paper market, which continues to show considerable potential as the consumption of mid-to-high-end products grows. Quality packaging, in particular for high-end luxury items, is highly prized by Chinese consumers, and cultural proclivity for gift-giving further expands the need for specialty paper production.

Although China dominates the production of certain types of pulp and paper products, it remains reliant on imports for certain products, in particular raw materials such as wood pulp. Foreign producers that are not already selling in China may therefore wish to explore trade opportunities.

Finally, China is also an ideal location for sourcing suppliers for pulp and paper products. Given the country’s dominance in certain sub-sectors, in particular manufactured paper products, such as coated paper, tissue paper, white cardboard, and specialty paper and cardboard.