World Pulp Market, 1993 China Paper Conference Proceedings
Matthew B. Van Hook
"The subject I have been asked to address, the global pulp market, is pertinent to the business of this conference in several respects. First, the market pulp sector in particular provides a useful context for the broad range of other paper-related issues being discussed here, from evolving technologies to environmental challenges and changing consumer demands. Second, market pulp provides perspective on the international economy and the challenges facing both existing and emerging producers of pulp and paper products.
Let me provide some background on the trade association of which I am a part, the American Forest and Paper Association. AFPA came into existence on January 1 of this year through a merger of three major forest and paper associations. For the first time, one association now represents every major sector of the U.S. forest products industry, covering the full life cycle of forest products, from managing and sustaining the forest resource, to manufacture, use and eventual recovery, recycling, and reuse. AFPA represents a vital national industry which accounts for over 7 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing output. Employing approximately 1.4 million people, the U.S. forest products industry ranks among the top ten employers, providing wages of about $46 billion annually, with sales of $200 billion. The industry is also a large and growing
exporter to global markets."