Paper production is dependent on water, yet relatively little is consumed

The pulp and paper industry depends on water in three crucial areas. Firstly, there is rain water that is essential for trees to grow, and, through photosynthesis, transform carbon dioxide to oxygen and cellulose; the latter provides the industry’s primary raw material – wood fibre. Then there is water that is actually used to make pulp and paper and finally, there is the suitably treated effluent.

As water is a crucial resource for the industry, most pulp and paper mills are located near to abundant supplies. It is also important to recognise that intake does not equal consumption, because most of the water will be returned to the environment. In fact, 93% of the water used in the European paper industry is returned, having been reused within the mill before being suitably treated.¹

93% of water we use is returned to the environment in good quality, with the remainder either being evaporated, staying within the product, or being bound-up in solid waste.CEPI, Water Profile in 2015

Improvements in paper making techniques and water treatment have had a dramatic effect on the cleanliness of effluent leaving the mill. Since 1991 there has been a 95% reduction in AOX
levels (a measure of the toxicity due to chlorine compounds) and a 77% reduction in COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand – how much oxygen is consumed by the decomposition of organic matter).²

Members’ use of process water, measured in cubic metres per metric ton of production, was reduced by 7.2% from the 2004/2005 baselineInternational Council of Forest & Paper Associations (ICFPA), 2017

Around 40% of total water use [in Europe] is accounted for by agriculture, followed by 28% for cooling and 18% for manufacturing and mining, while public water supplies account for 14%.European Environment Agency, 2018

Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75% of the world’s accessible fresh water for domestic, agricultural, industrial and ecological needs. Forests influence the amount of available water
and regulate surface and groundwater flows while maintaining highest water quality. Forests reduce the effects of flooding, and prevent and reduce  dryland salinity and desertification. Forests act as natural water filters, minimizing soil erosion on site and reduce sediment in water bodies.³

1 CEPI, Water Profile in 2015

2 CEPI Key Statistics, 2017

3 European forest sector press release, 2016