The Manufacture of Paper and Related Products in South Africa 2020

The Manufacture of Paper and Related Products

Panic over the coronavirus pandemic caused people to stockpile emergency supplies, and demand for disposable surgical masks, toilet paper, tissues, sanitary wipes and other paper-based hygiene products soared. During the national lockdown, South Africa’s pulp and paper sector continued to operate as a “critical business continuity service”, supporting the manufacturing, processing and distribution of essential goods such as tissue, toilet paper, paper packaging, face masks and personal hygiene products. Most of the country’s paper-based packaging plants were operating at full capacity to support the distribution of food, medical and health supplies.

Industry Trends

South Africa’s prolonged economic downturn has resulted in the conversion or closure of a number of paper production facilities over the last ten years. Volumes have continued to decline in the newsprint and office paper market, but demand for recyclable paper bags and other paper-based consumer packaging has been increasing, and demand for consumer packaging continues to be boosted by the growth of online retailing.

Recycling

Over 70% of recyclable waste paper is recovered locally to produce new newsprint, packaging and tissue. South Africa uses as much as 90% of waste paper that is suitable for recycling and the surplus is exported. The paper recycling industry is under pressure to find new markets and uses for waste paper, as higher collection rates, both locally and globally, have resulted in oversupply.

Report Coverage

This report on the Manufacture of Paper and Related Products contains comprehensive information on the state and size of the sector, capacity, performance and corporate actions of major players and factors that influence the sector. There are profiles of 40 companies including the major producers Sappi and Mondi, paper and packaging producers such as Mpact and Neopak and local divisions of major international players such as Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble.