China's graphic paper demand growth expected to remain healthy over next decade

BOSTON, Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- China will continue to experience healthy graphic (printing, writing, & newsprint) paper demand growth over the next decade despite some markets in China already starting to mature. According to a new study released today by RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, healthy economic activity and improved standards of living in China will support demand even as some markets such as newsprint experience displacement by electronic technology. China's Influence on World Graphic Paper Markets in the Coming Decade analyzes China's end use structure to determine how it will affect future graphic paper market growth.

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"By 2011, Chinese consumption of graphic paper reached 27.6 million tonnes, averaging a demand growth rate of 1.5 million tonnes per year since 2001. However, the end-use structures in China are dramatically different than those of other world regions. For example, books consume more paper than any other end-use in China, 40% of all graphic paper demand, and standards for newsprint and magazines are far different than in the developed world. These differences all affect the likely trends in graphic paper demand by grade in China," said John Maine, Vice President of Graphic Papers at RISI.

"Based on our analysis of this intricate end-use structure, we believe that –although future growth rates for graphic paper demand could be less than half of historical levels as some markets begin to mature– China's increasing levels of economic activity, rising incomes, and increased educational demand will continue to support the overall growth of graphic paper," said Li Meng, Economist for Graphic Papers at RISI and the lead author of this study.

China's Influence on World Graphic Paper Markets in the Coming Decade provides a comprehensive analysis of China's end-use market structure and its projected impact on future graphic paper markets with a ten year forecast period, as well as a detailed outline of Chinese commercial printing markets. This 316 page report has been compiled by RISI's expert economists, analysts and editors who are stationed throughout China and have been active in the Chinese industry for over 30 years. The RISI China team has contacts throughout the product chain and has a fundamental understanding of the culture and regulations that shape the industry.

China's Influence on World Graphic Paper Markets in the Coming Decade Includes:

• 10 year forecast
• 5 year historical data
• End-use detail in 16 Chinese Graphic Paper Markets
• Regional distribution of end-uses in China by grade and by product
• Distribution channels for the major graphic paper grades
• Mill capacity, supply, and cost estimates
• Trends in China's world trade
• Pricing and profitability of graphic paper production in China

For more information on the study, visit www.risi.com/chinagraphic

About RISI (www.risi.com)
Owned by UBM plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, RISI is the leading information provider for the global forest products industry. The company works with clients in the pulp and paper, wood products, timber, biomass, tissue, nonwovens, printing and publishing industries to help them make better decisions.

Headquartered in Boston, MA, RISI operates additional offices throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.

About UBM plc ( www.ubm.com )
UBM plc is a leading global company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provide them with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,000 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

For Press Enquiries, please contact:
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