Papierindustrie#

Paper Industry; Developed quite early in Austria due to rich resources of water and wood. In 1321 the first paper mill was established in Leesdorf bei Baden (Lower Austria) and by the 16th  century paper manufacturing works were to be found all over Austria. During the second half of the 20th century the paper industry experienced an upturn. In the course of restructuring many small companies closed down and the remaining companies concentrated on producing specific types of paper. In the 1990s the process of internationalisation also affected Austrian companies, with foreign companies holding interests in Austrian companies and vice versa. The main motivation behind internationalisation is the wish to secure both resource supplies and markets. Between 1988-1997 ATS 48 billion were invested in the Austrian paper industry, between 1988-1997 the expenses for environmental protection amounted to ATS 20 billion. The paper industry is one of the major economic sectors in Austria, there are 30 businesses in this field employing about 9,800 people; the industry has an annual turnover of ATS 36 billion (as of 1997).

3.8 million tons of paper, cardboard and paste board are produced in Austria, which is 1.3 % of the world production. For ecological reasons only wood obtained by thinnings, waste wood and waste paper is used in the production of paper.

Almost 80 % of the production is exported, with three quarters of exports going to EU member countries. On the international market Austria is number 7 in exporting paper, cardboard for folding boxes and paste board.

Paper converting industry: paper, cardboard and paste board serve as raw materials for various products. 125 businesses with approx. 8,600 employees yield a production value amounting to ATS 17 billion (as of 1998). 810,000 tons of paper and cardboard are processed to produce refined paper, packaging material, household articles, office supplies, envelopes, books, brochures etc. The industry is concentrated in Vienna, Lower Austria, Styria, Upper Austria and Vorarlberg, but there are also a few companies in Salzburg, Carinthia, Tirol and Burgenland. The export share (mainly to European countries and the Near East) amounts to approx. 80 % (including refined paper and books).

From the 1970s structural improvements resulted in extensive rationalisation measures and in the course of these developments the industry was aligned with west European standards. The main sector in the Austrian paper industry is packaging (corrugated boards, folding boxes, soft packaging material for consumer goods etc.). The share of waste paper used in the production of packaging material made of paper, cardboard and paste board amounts to an average of 81 %. In Austria almost 84 % of these products are recycled (as of 1998).

Major companies in the Austrian paper production and converting industry are Bauernfeind GmbH Frantschach AG, Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG, Modo Paper Hallein Gmbh, M. Salzers Soehne Papierfabrik GmbH, Nettingsdorfer Papierfabrik AG, Neusiedler AG, Norske Skog Bruck GmbH, Sappi Holding AG, Steyerermuehl AG and W. Hamburger AG.