PAPER
While the concept of the ‘paperless office’ was much touted 10-15 years ago, it never caught on and printing is still an everyday part of life for businesses. That said, increasing digitalisation continues to affect print volumes and, therefore, sales of office paper too. But that isn’t to say demand for paper from businesses is falling across the board. Paul Bussingham, sales director office papers at Premier Paper, says there is a clear shift towards paper being viewed as a more premium, purposeful product. “As overall print volumes decline, what remains is higher value and is designed to be kept,” he says. “In areas where credibility, permanence and authenticity matter, paper continues to hold strong relevance. That said, the largest share of the market is still driven by everyday multi-purpose copier paper.” Paul says that demand for office paper continues to decline year on year, even with more people returning to the workplace. “However, there are pockets of growth,” he adds. “Tinted papers, such as the Papago range, are seeing increased uptake in the education sector, particularly to support SEN students, where colour can improve readability and focus. “Purchasing decisions are also increasingly influenced by environmental considerations, including packaging. There is a growing demand for ream wrappers that are fully recyclable and free from plastic coatings. Ranges that combine strong sustainability credentials with practical benefits, such as Papago with its 38 shades and recyclable packaging, are becoming more relevant.” Scott Smith, Imaging Supplies national sales and operations manager at Canon UK & Ireland, agrees that the role of paper is becoming more considered and intentional. “End users are placing greater emphasis on the quality, durability and sustainability of their printed materials, particularly for applications that are designed to be kept and have a lasting
impact,” he says. “This shift reflects a move away from volume-led printing towards more purposeful, high-quality output.” Evolving office demand Scott adds that office environments are continuing to evolve as hybrid working models shape how organisations operate, influencing demand for office paper. “More employees are returning to the office, with UK attendance now consistently above 40% and reaching its highest level since the pandemic, meaning demand for office paper is beginning to increase again,” he says. But Scott warns that this increase is not a return to previous patterns. “Hybrid working remains very much embedded, meaning office paper usage is more concentrated on certain days and home office paper usage is dispersed across multiple locations,” he explains. “As a result, businesses are approaching paper usage with more flexibility, while ensuring high quality and productivity is maintained.” Steve Carter, managing director of Advantia, agrees that office print volumes aren’t growing – especially as home- based workers tend to print less than when they are in the office. “What we have now is going to be it as the hybrid working patterns in place now are here to stay,” he says. He adds that while demand is flat, many offices are still demanding regular office paper for everyday use for employees, rather than premium products. Growing prices However, Steve added that while demand for office paper isn’t growing, the price of it may well do in the coming months. “When I was talking to my paper merchant recently, he said demand has been suppressed, particularly from European mills, so there is a very good chance of an increase in paper prices
End users are placing greater emphasis on the quality, durability and sustainability of their printed materials, particularly for applications that are designed to be kept and have a lasting impact, “ ”
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