Cepi’s 2025 Key Statistics Report highlights a European paper industry that is increasingly exposed to a slow and sustained erosion of its industrial base at a time when its contribution to Europe’s circular economy, climate goals, and strategic autonomy remains critical. Paper and board production declined by 1.6% in 2025, reaching 77.4 million tonnes, reflecting a continued correction after the post-pandemic surge rather than a return to stable growth. Market pulp, a strategic but relatively small proportion of the sector’s production, grew by 1.0%. Early signals from 2026 point to continued weakening, with output already down 2.4% in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2025. …The industry has been steadily losing production assets over the past three years, while import penetration reached a record 7.7% of EU consumption. Exports still represent more than 20% of production, but the EU trade balance has slightly diminished in 2025. …Without timely action, Europe risks a gradual loss of industrial capacity.