June 24, 2022
(press release)
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Like many other sectors, the paper industry had to contend with supply bottlenecks in 2021. On the one hand, this applies to waste paper, but also to cellulose. Waste paper was scarce throughout Europe in the year under review. Paper mills desperately needed old goods to make new ones. The volume of newspapers and promotional material continued to decrease during the pandemic. At the same time, the demand for packaging materials increased. The struggle of the various paper manufacturers for the raw material drove up prices across Europe. Waste paper cost two to three times more at the end of the reporting year than at the beginning of the year. In addition, the production of paper is an energy-intensive process and the sharp rise in energy prices has made production costs even more expensive. The majority of our member companies were able to increase their sales, some stagnated and a few suffered losses. A glance at the statistics shows that the member companies produced 1.39 million tonnes of paper, cardboard and foil and generated sales of CHF 1.54 billion. (In terms of turnover, a larger company only publishes the total group turnover, which is why it is slightly higher.) In the year under review, 5.89% more paper and cardboard was delivered by Swiss paper mills, with newsprint (+17.36%) and graphic paper (+10.46%) in particular increasing strongly in terms of volume, also because these sectors had suffered greatly in the previous year. Total paper consumption stagnated compared to the previous year, but there were greater fluctuations for the individual papers. On January 1st, 2020, the SPKF issued a new collective labor agreement with the union of the Swiss paper industry (SPV), which is valid until December 31st, 2023. The GAV applies to the majority of companies in the paper industry. The GAV also forms the basis for the joint commission and for the use of money from the training and promotion fund (AFF). The GAV was well applied in the year under review. With the acceptance of paternity leave, the first adjustment of the GAV was due. The SPKF has negotiated with the Swiss Paper Industry Union (SPV) in this regard and jointly decided on a generous regulation for the employees, which came into force on January 1, 2021. When it comes to training professionals, the SPKF works closely with the papermaking school in Gernsbach (D), with a member of the SPKF serving on the board of the Förderverein Papierzentrum Gernsbach (FÖP). In 2021, a person from Switzerland successfully completed the technical school for paper production. In addition, three apprentices from Switzerland passed the paper technologist training course. For the Swiss companies it is an excellent solution that the vocational school lessons can be completed in Gernsbach and the part-time training offers in Steyrermühl.
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