UUpon writing this I can’t help but be impacted by the packaging housing my takeaway lunch. Items have been hand placed into paper sleeves then all placed in a paper bag, along with a paper cup for my drink. Our viewpoint of paper, packaging, and circularity is continuing to evolve, and one of our oldest most traditional products is in many ways a testament to where we find ourselves in 2023. The idea of groceries in paper bags would seem like something out of the 1950s a decade or so ago, but now paper is in some ways just as popular as chipboard, bamboo, or stainless steel as a product that simply ‘looks sustainable’. Since the beginning of print and publishing, paper has of course been an essential part of the process, so with the resurgence of paper’s relevancy in recent years, what are some of the best solutions and options for printers to think about when working with this important product? 2022 challenges Looking back around 20 to 30 years ago, it’s hard to get your head around plastics and materials that would simply end up in landfill. The outcome had massive effects on our environment, which we are still paying for today. Changes in the use of items like plastic bags and electronic devices has drastically changed the circularity of our economy. Yet paper for all its plus points has faced a lot of challenges in recent years. Mixed messages, cost saving techniques, and competition has meant paper has been seen by many as an environmentally unfriendly product despite its massive green credentials. False claims over digital alternatives being more environmentally friendly have had an impact on the image of paper, but despite the effect this may have had on the use of paper, recent events have also put massive strains on the industry. Tim Percival, category director of Office and Digital Papers at Antalis, comments: “The market has experienced much turbulence this past year as we all strive to recover from the pandemic and deal with the disruption that has ensued across the globe.” Covid-19 has put massive strains on paper stocks as paper products and visual communication was needed more than ever. Supply, freight, and energy problems have also taken their toll, as well as strikes in countries like Finland where a large amount of European paper mills reside. Despite these challenges, many areas are starting to turn a corner, as businesses and governments prioritise the continuation of Paper Solutions Forces of paper January / February 2023 47 Facing a variety of challenges over the past few years, David Osgar looks at the paper industry, and what questions and solutions to consider when using this all-important product
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