Market

The European market for kraftliner, paper for corrugated board packaging manufactured from fresh wood fiber, is valued at approximately SEK 32bn and growth over an economic cycle is approximately 1–2% per year.

The European market for publication papers is valued at approximately SEK 81bn. Future demand is expected to decline as a consequence of lower readership of printed media and more intense competition for advertising expenditures from electronic media.

The European market for solid-wood products is valued at some SEK 136bn, with demand primarily deriving from the construction and house building industries, which are relatively cyclical. Future growth is expected to amount to 1–2%. The industry is dominated by many small and mid-sized producers.

The market for long-fiber pulp has long-term growth of 1–2% per year.

In Europe, demand for solid-wood products and kraftliner rose in 2015 compared with a year earlier. European demand for publication papers continued to fall in 2015.

SCA’s competitors in forest products include Holmen, Smurfit Kappa, Stora Enso and UPM.