Pathways and needed investment to reduce emissions of the European pulp and paper industry by 80% while creating 50% more added-value are detailed in the revised version of the 2050 Roadmap to a low-carbon bio-economy, launched by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) in late February. 

The Roadmap estimates the need for € 44 billion more investment – a 40% increase from current levels – to transform the paper industry in Europe by 2050. The publication reaffirms the paper industry’s vision that decarbonization and growth are compatible and calls for a better alignment of policy, research and financing conditions to boost investment in Europe.


From energy efficiency to deployment of breakthrough technologies, emissions reduction pathways were estimated to require a combined additional investment of € 24 billion by 2050. A further investment of € 20 billion would be needed to boost the production of new low-carbon bio-based products. Since 2011, when the first Roadmap of the pulp and paper industry was launched, the sector has invested € 15 billion in Europe.