What condition is the pulp and paper industry in today?
Petr Peredery: Between 2000 and 2005, the Russian pulp and paper industry increased its output of commercial cellulose by 25 percent (from 2 million to 2.5 million tons), of paper by 24 percent (from 3.3 million to 4.1 million tons) and of cardboard by 65 percent (from 2 million to 3.3 million tons). Nonetheless, it has to be admitted that the Russian pulp and paper industry significantly lags behind that of other countries. The People’s Republic of China, for instance, increased its output of paper and cardboard from 7 million to 40 million tons in the last 20 years, that is, 5.7 times more. Indicators show that the consumption of paper and cardboard in Russia will grow to 78 kg. per person (as opposed to 41 kg. at present), which will bring it close to average European standards. With the production capacity that exists now, that demand can only be met by imports. The Russia pulp and paper industry does not make many high-technology products that have been developed abroad. That is i
