Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

Article Category

News
Content archived on 2022-12-02

Article available in the following languages:

Innovation activities in pulp and paper in Europe

The European Innovation Monitoring System (EIMS), part of the Communities' INNOVATION programme, has published a report on innovation in the pulp, paper and paper products industry in Europe. Based on data from the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), the report analyses innovat...

The European Innovation Monitoring System (EIMS), part of the Communities' INNOVATION programme, has published a report on innovation in the pulp, paper and paper products industry in Europe. Based on data from the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), the report analyses innovation activities and performance in this industrial sector, generally regarded as "low-technology". The report is presented in three parts. The first part presents an overview of the pulp and paper industry in Europe, highlighting its structure, products, innovation methods, investment patterns, export specialization and general development trends. The second part explores innovation activity in the industry, looking at tangible and intangible investments, R&D cooperation, innovation-related expenditures and innovation outputs. The third and final part looks at innovation performance, distinguishing between high, medium and low performing innovators. This includes an analysis of the characteristics of firms with a high-level of innovation. A key message of the report is that low R&D industries are not necessarily low-innovation industries. Indeed, the innovation level in the pulp and paper industry is high, but relies largely on an intense interactive relationship between the various industry actors (users and producers of technology, materials suppliers, consulting firms, technical institutes, universities, etc.). The innovation "system" of the industry is thus quite a complex one. The authors stress the need for policy-makers to consider actions aimed at supporting the innovation infrastructure supporting this industry, particularly in light of the need to create and diffuse environmentally sustainable technologies for this sector in the years ahead.