Report Coverage
This report covers the manufacture of pulp, paper, and paper products in South Africa. It examines key developments, emerging trends, and sector challenges across local, regional, and international markets. Coverage includes the industry value chain, trade dynamics, regulations, notable players, corporate actions, and enterprise development initiatives. Influencing factors such as unforeseen events, macroeconomic conditions, technological innovation, input costs, and environmental considerations are also assessed. The report profiles 11 companies, among them Sappi, Mondi South Africa, Mpact, New Era Packaging, Kimberly Clark of South Africa, Transpaco, and Tetra Pak South Africa.
Introduction
• South Africa is a major player in key segments of the pulp and paper industry across regional and global markets.
• The country is one of the world’s largest producers of dissolving wood pulp and the largest producer of pulp, paper and paper products on the African continent.
• The Paper Manufacturers’ Association of South Africa (PAMSA) reported that paper and paperboard production increased by 0.6% to 2,059.4 kilotonnes (kt) in 2025, up from 2,047.0kt in 2024.
• According to Stats SA, sales revenue from pulp, paper and paper products manufacturing was R121.7bn in 2025.
• The industry is affected by protracted domestic economic challenges, the Middle East crisis, rising input costs, inefficiencies in rail and port services, power outages and water supply interruptions, low-priced imports, and declining demand for certain paper grades.
Trends
• Anti-plastic sentiment and the shift away from single-use plastic packaging are driving demand for paper-based packaging.
• Declining demand for printing and writing paper and newsprint.
• Growth in demand for paper-based packaging from the agricultural, e-commerce and quick service restaurant industries.
• Increased focus on pulp, paper and paper products that are responsibly sourced and produced.
• Manufacturers are shifting toward increased production of packaging and speciality papers.
• The volume of wine sold in liquid cartons is increasing.
• There is growing demand for recycled paper fibre.
Opportunities
• Anti-plastic sentiment is driving demand for paper-based packaging.
• Bamboo-based packaging.
• Expanding uses for liquid cartons.
• Growing demand for paper-based packaging from the agricultural, e-commerce and quick service restaurant industries.
• Recovery and recycling of waste paper and packaging.
Challenges
• Competition from cheap imports of office paper, newsprint, containerboard and cartonboard.
• Declining demand for printing and writing paper and newsprint.
• Production disruptions resulting from power outages and water supply interruptions.
• Reduced demand for packaging products from local manufacturers in other industries.
• Rising input costs, especially electricity and fuel prices.
• The inefficiency of rail and port services.
• The war in the Middle East has disrupted global supply chains and driven up costs.
Outlook
• Global demand for pulp, paper and paper products is expected to remain subdued over the short term amid macroeconomic challenges and oversupply, but growing consumer preference for fibre-based packaging is forecast to strengthen demand over the medium term.
• Pulp prices increased in the first half of 2026 and are expected to rise further, largely due to global supply disruptions.
• In South Africa, growth in demand for paper-based packaging from the agricultural, e-commerce, and quick-service restaurant industries is expected to continue, but the medium- to long-term growth prospects of the graphic papers segment are weak, as digital formats are steadily replacing print.
Full Report
R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1250.56 (USD)*
Industry Landscape
R 14 000.00(ZAR) estimated $ 875.39 (USD)*
Historical Reports
Manufacture of Paper, Pulp and Paper Products in South Africa 2022-06-17
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $118.80 (USD)*
View Report Add to CartManufacture of Paper, Pulp and Paper Products in South Africa 2020-03-31
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $118.80 (USD)*
View Report Add to CartManufacture of Paper, Pulp and Paper Products in South Africa 2018-10-02
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $118.80 (USD)*
View Report Add to CartManufacture of Paper, Pulp and Paper Products in South Africa 2016-08-19
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $118.80 (USD)*
View Report Add to CartManufacture of Paper, Pulp and Paper Products in South Africa 2015-04-06
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $118.80 (USD)*
View Report Add to CartTable of Contents
[ Close ]| PAGE | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | INTRODUCTION | 1 |
| 2. | DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY | 1 |
| 2.1. | Industry Value Chain | 3 |
| 2.2. | Geographic Position | 4 |
| 2.3. | Size of the Industry | 6 |
| 3. | LOCAL | 6 |
| 3.1. | State of the Industry | 6 |
| 3.2. | Key Trends | 9 |
| 3.3. | Key Issues | 10 |
| 3.4. | Notable Players | 10 |
| 3.5. | Trade | 13 |
| 3.6. | Corporate Actions | 15 |
| 3.7. | Regulations | 16 |
| 3.8. | Enterprise Development and Social Development | 17 |
| 4. | AFRICA | 18 |
| 5. | INTERNATIONAL | 21 |
| 6. | INFLUENCING FACTORS | 26 |
| 6.1. | Unforeseen Events | 26 |
| 6.2. | Economic Environment | 27 |
| 6.3. | Environmental Issues | 28 |
| 6.4. | Input Costs | 29 |
| 6.5. | Technology, R&D and Innovation | 30 |
| 6.6. | Labour | 32 |
| 6.7. | Rail and Port Issues | 34 |
| 6.8. | Government Support | 34 |
| 7. | COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT | 35 |
| 7.1. | Competition | 35 |
| 7.2. | Ownership Structure of the Industry | 36 |
| 7.3. | Barriers to Entry | 36 |
| 8. | INDUSTRY SUMMARY | 37 |
| 9. | OUTLOOK | 38 |
| 10. | INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS | 38 |
| 11. | REFERENCES | 38 |
| 11.1. | Publications | 38 |
| 11.2. | Websites | 39 |
| ANNEXURE 1 | 40 | |
| Industry Legislation | 40 | |
| APPENDIX 1 | 46 | |
| Summary of Notable Players | 46 | |
| COMPANY PROFILES | 49 | |
| CORRUSEAL GROUP (PTY) LTD | 49 | |
| CTP LTD | 52 | |
| HUHTAMAKI SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD | 57 | |
| KIMBERLY-CLARK OF SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD | 60 | |
| MAIN STREET 1310 (PTY) LTD | 62 | |
| MONDI SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD | 64 | |
| MPACT LTD | 67 | |
| NEW ERA PACKAGING BOPS (PTY) LTD | 72 | |
| SAPPI LTD | 74 | |
| TETRA PAK SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD | 80 | |
| TRANSPACO LTD | 82 |

