Development Directions of the Raw Material Base of the Paper Industry with regard to the Sustainable Development Concept

Abstract

Paper is one of the most common mass products used nowadays. Present paper consumption has reached almost 400 million metric tons globally. Such a huge volume of production requires stable and continuous supply of raw materials in the form of wood and recovered paper. This article presents the current situation in the field of raw materials supply for the paper industry. Firstly it needs to be underlined that in the 21st century recovered paper has already become as equally an important raw material as wood, and soon the production of paper from secondary fibre pulps may match the volume of production of paper from virgin pulps. Moreover a detailed insight into future challenges and possibilities of broadening the raw materials base for the production of paper is also given. Finally the best possible methods to ensure a constant supply of wood and recovered paper for industry are also featured.