Recently, the Taiwan Paper Union released its 2024 annual report. In 2024, the region's paper production reached 3.895 million metric tons, breaking the threshold of 4 million metric tons that had been maintained for seven years and setting a new record low in nearly nine years.
According to the 2024 annual report of the Taiwan Paper Workers' Union, the economic situation has been lackluster after the pandemic, leading to a decline in paper production. In 2024, the total production of paper and paperboard in Taiwan was 3.895 million metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 4.7%, hitting a new low in nearly nine years. Among them, the production volume of paper was 745,000 metric tons, a decrease of 3.2% year-on-year. The annual output of cardboard was 3.15 million metric tons, a decrease of 5.1% year-on-year.
In terms of sales performance, Taiwan's paper industry was sluggish in 2024, with a total sales volume of 3.889 million metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 3.7%. Among them, domestic sales reached 2.52 million metric tons, increasing by 2.8% annually. Sales reached 1.368 million metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 13.7%. This is mainly because the largest export destination, the Chinese mainland, has been continuously increasing production. However, the severe economic "intra-industry competition" has led to a decline in market demand.
Specifically, in 2024, the papermaking output of Shandong (22.19 million tons), Guangdong (21.93 million tons), Jiangsu (14.76 million tons), Zhejiang (13.15 million tons), Fujian (8.76 million tons), Guangxi (7.88 million tons), Hubei (6.91 million tons), Henan (6.8 million tons), and Hebei (4.32 million tons) will exceed that of Taiwan. The papermaking output of the remaining provinces and cities ranks second.
Facing more severe tests of domestic and foreign sales competition
In 2025, the US tariff policy added to the uncertainty of the global economic and trade situation, which in turn affected the performance of the papermaking industry. The cumulative output in Taiwan for the first four months of this year was 1.187 million metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 9.3%. Except for household paper, which increased by 4.3% annually, the production of other cultural paper, paper for cartons and white cardboard was all restricted due to exports.
At the same time, in combination with the net-zero emission drive, grasp the key transformation towards intelligence and low-carbonization.
The Taiwan Paper Association pointed out that the carbon fee has begun to be calculated and collected, and the papermaking industry is facing more severe tests of domestic and export competition. It called on the government to accelerate and comprehensively plan the Taiwan version of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to strengthen a fair and reasonable development environment for the manufacturing industry for people's livelihood.
The 15 paper mills that meet the first batch of carbon fee collection qualifications include Zhenglong Houli Factory, Dayuan Factory, Zhubei Factory, Hsinchu Factory, Rongcheng Erlin Factory, Huazhi Jiutang Factory, Hualien Factory, Taitung Factory, Yongfengyu Gongpaper Xinwu Factory, Yongfengyu Consumer Products Qingshui Factory, Yangmei Factory, Guangyuan Taichung Factory, Jinmei, Rihao, and Hezhong, etc. Ultimately, those whose emissions exceed 25,000 metric tons in 2025 will be confirmed as eligible for carbon fee payment.
As we enter the era where carbon emissions are valued, the Taiwan Paper Association is preparing to apply for an independent reduction plan, hoping to be classified as a high-carbon leakage risk industry. Once the independent reduction plan is approved, member factories will be able to obtain an emission adjustment coefficient value (initially set at 0.2), thereby reducing cost pressure.
