Closure of cellulose production line cuts paper production

Three leading paper producers on the Romanian market- Ambro Suceava, Celhart Donaris Braila and Letea Bacau, closed down cellulose production machines last year, which led to a 24% decline in paper production on the Romanian market in the first half of this year, according to Constantin Chiriac, chief executive officer the Federation of Cellulose and Paper Industry Business Owners in Romania (ROMPAP). ROMPAP data reveal that paper production fell to 170,000 tonnes in the first half of the year, 24% less than the same time last year, with the biggest decline, by 34%, being recorded by corrugated cardboard. ROMPAP representatives blame this decline on last year’s shutdowns, which affected cellulose production machines used in the manufacturing of certain types of paper. Last year saw 450 tonnes of paper being produced (corrugated cardboard, newsprint, packaging paper, toilet paper), 37% of which was exported. This year, exports are expected to go down to half of last year’s figure, according to Constantin Chiriac.