The Slovak pulp and paper industry reached a historic milestone in 2025. Paper production exceeded 1,024 thousand tonnes for the first time, representing the highest production volume in the history of independent Slovakia. The record comes at a time of rising input costs, energy instability, tightening regulatory requirements, and continued uncertainty in European markets.
According to Miloslav Čurilla, President of the Slovak Pulp and Paper Industry Association (ZCPP SR), this achievement clearly demonstrates the resilience of the sector:
“Paper mills broke production records. We achieved the highest production volume in our history. However, without stable and predictable conditions on the European market, our competitiveness remains a major challenge.”
Domestic Raw Materials as the Basis for Stability and the Circular Economy
The industry has long relied on the use of domestic raw materials. In 2025, 2.115 million m³ of lower-grade wood were processed — material that would otherwise have limited economic use. The consumption of recovered paper reached 196 thousand tonnes. These figures confirm the systematic use of renewable resources and recycled materials in the production process.
Strong Exports and Significant Economic Contribution
Companies associated within ZCPP SR account for 100% of pulp and paper production in Slovakia. The sector’s annual turnover ranges between €1.5 and €2 billion, with a significant share of production exported to European Union markets.
The paper industry therefore makes an important contribution to Slovakia’s trade balance and to value creation in regional economies. The sector directly employs approximately 3,500–4,000 workers. Indirectly, several thousand additional jobs depend on the industry in forestry, transport, energy, and service sectors.
Cost Pressures and the Regulatory Environment
The pulp and paper sector is among the energy-intensive industries. Rising energy prices, emission allowance costs, and logistics expenses are increasing the cost burden on producers. At the same time, investment requirements related to decarbonisation and compliance with environmental standards are growing.
The industry therefore emphasises the need for a stable and predictable legislative environment, recognition of the specificities of energy-intensive industries within EU policies, and the elimination of so-called “double taxation.”
Investments in People and Modernisation
In 2026, tariff wages increased across all 12 wage grades. At the same time, the sector continues to invest in the modernisation of production technologies, improving energy efficiency, and reducing its environmental footprint.
Recycling Fee and the Need for a Fair System
The structure of the recycling fee remains an important economic issue. According to industry representatives, the current model distorts market conditions and does not provide sufficient incentives for efficient domestic processing of recovered paper.
A transparent and economically balanced solution would support domestic value creation, investment stability, and the preservation of jobs.
Stability Will Determine the Future of the Sector
Record production confirms the strong position of the Slovak paper industry. However, future development will depend on energy policy, the EU regulatory framework, and the ability to create a stable business environment for energy-intensive industries.
ZCPP SR in Numbers
- 1,024,000 tonnes of paper production annually (2025 – historic record)
- 2.115 million m³ of processed wood raw material
- 196,000 tonnes of recovered paper
- 100% of domestic pulp and paper production
- 3,500–4,000 direct jobs
- €1.5–2 billion annual sector turnover
- significant share of exports to EU countries
