Tools and Resources
Figures for the production of paper (Table 2.21) are provided by the Confederation of Paper Industries. They cover all paper production from UK mills, not just those using UK roundwood. Most UK paper production uses recovered waste paper or imported pulp.
A total of 3.9 million tonnes of paper and paperboard was produced in the UK in 2017, an increase of 5% from the previous year. Packaging materials accounted for 50% of the total UK paper production in 2017, graphic papers (including newsprint) for 24%, and sanitary and household papers for 19%.
Table 2.21 Production of paper and paperboard, 2008-2017
| Year | Graphic papers (incl newsprint) |
Sanitary & household papers |
Packaging materials |
Other | Total paper & paperboard |
| thousand tonnes | |||||
| 2008 | 2063 | 783 | 1838 | 299 | 4983 |
| 2009 | 1609 | 736 | 1702 | 246 | 4293 |
| 2010 | 1637 | 729 | 1640 | 294 | 4300 |
| 2011 | 1669 | 766 | 1600 | 307 | 4342 |
| 2012 | 1616 | 795 | 1798 | 271 | 4480 |
| 2013 | 1636 | 802 | 1851 | 272 | 4561 |
| 2014 | 1544 | 768 | 1801 | 284 | 4397 |
| 2015 | 1053 | 772 | 1894 | 251 | 3970 |
| 2016 | 897 | 730 | 1800 | 250 | 3677 |
| 2017 | 918 | 731 | 1936 | 270 | 3855 |
Source: Confederation of Paper Industries
Sources chapter: Pulp and paper