Ilim Group is planning to increase its product supplies to Chinese and Russian markets to 3.7 million t in 2024

According to Ilim Group’s estimates, the global consumption of wood pulp and paper products will rise by 11.6 million t per year by 2029, and China will account for almost a half of it—5.4 million t, primarily of cardboard and hardwood pulp. The demand in Russia is expected to grow by 600,000 t. The consumption of copy papers is falling drastically all over the globe, with an estimated reduction by 6.6 million t by 2029, yet no considerable drop in demand is forecast in Russia.

In 2024, Ilim Group is planning to increase its supplies of wood pulp and paper products to China to 2.4 million t, which is 300,000 t more than in 2023. The new pulp-and-cardboard mill in Ust-Ilimsk is expected to become the key growth driver, and it is incrementally ramping up its production capacity. The company is planning to produce 600,000 t of kraftliner per year in 2025.

To increase the volume and improve the quality of its products, Ilim Group is also planning to implement two investment projects worth over 16 billion rubles: a renovation of the hardwood flow and upgrading of a cardboard machine in Bratsk.

China remains the company’s key market, with 52% of the output supplied to the PRC, while Russia and the CIS account for 42%.

According to Ilim Group, the demand in the domestic market will rise by 600,000 t over the next five years; specifically, the consumption of hardwood pulp and cardboard will increase by 100,000 t each. In 2024, the company is planning to supply 1.3 million t of products to the Russian market.