Traditional printers will continue to do it tough, predicts pulp and paper industry bible Industry Edge which reports printing and communication paper demand slumped by 6.2 per cent between 2015 and 2016.  

Industry Edge reports declines were rampant in grades of papers and sectors which are dominated by commercial printers.

The findings detailed in its 2016 edition of the Pulp & Paper Strategic Review notes falls were experienced in the directory and lower quality catalogue papers (Uncoated Mechanicals) market, which saw demand drop by almost 10 per cent over the year.

Demand for Uncoated Woodfree reels and sheets plummeted a massive 26 per cent while demand for the higher quality Coated Woodfree papers fell six per cent compared to the prior year.

Industry Edge says, “There is little doubt that digital printing – especially the at home and small office type – is impacting traditional printers. What was once printed commercially is now often printed privately.”

Industry Edge says this argument is supported by findings which show that lighter weight reels and sheets used by printers have seen demand drop by 5.4 per cent per annum. While copy paper (Uncoated Woodfree Cut Reams) generally used in home or office printers only saw a modest 1.7 per cent decline per annum.   

The only highlight for commercial printers in the report was higher demand for quality catalogue and magazine grade papers (Coated Mechanicals), which experienced a slight 0.8 per cent increase to a record 376,700 tonnes in 2015-2016.  

Industry Edge adds, “However, at the heart of the decline is falling demand for printed media, in all its forms.”

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter