The European paper sector has been in decline in terms of consumption.

Omissions

• Consumption is not declining monotonically: CEPI reported that paper and board consumption increased by 7.5% in 2024 (production +5.2%) after two years of contraction, before falling 2.2% in 2025.
• The decline is concentrated in graphic paper (printing and writing), whose consumption 'continues to decrease due to digitalisation', while it is 'counter-balanced by growth in packaging and hygiene' paper — the European Commission describes exactly this mixed picture.
• No specific figure or reference period was cited by the speaker, so the claim rests on a generalised trend that glosses over the 2024 recovery and the growth segments.
• The CEPI statistical sources were published in 2026 (data period 2025), i.e. before the session date of 20 October 2026, so the MEP could have known them.

Sources

• PrimaryCepi Preliminary Statistics 2025 (Confederation of European Paper Industries)'Overall apparent paper and board consumption decreased by 2.2%' in Cepi countries in 2025; imports of paper and board into the Cepi area decreased by around 4.3% in the first 9 months of 2025.
• PrimaryCepi press release — New 2025 Pulp & Paper Manufacturing Figures'Cepi preliminary statistics for 2025 show European paper and board production decreased by 1.5%. The drop is similarly experienced by most' segments.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission — Pulp and paper industry (DG GROW)'Lower consumption - graphic paper consumption in Europe continues to decrease due to digitalisation. This is counter-balanced by growth in packaging and hygiene' products.
• PrimaryCepi press release — Europe's pulp and paper sector has shown resilience in 2024'Paper and board consumption increased by 7.5% in 2024 and production followed suite, growing by 5.2%, after two years of contraction.'
• SecondaryPackaging Gateway — European paper industry output declines as demand weakens'Apparent paper and board consumption in Europe declined by 2.2% in 2025, largely due to reduced demand for graphic paper and softer tissue' demand.