ABSTRACT

This chapter addresses the following questions: what are the features of the paper industry, and what are the main determinants of its location and competitiveness? Which part of the world has competitiveness in this industry and why? It also addresses how did it shift over time and what were the main drivers of the change? and what type of geographical unit or typology of region can be applied to identify both structural elements and historical changes in the industry? It investigates the history of pulp and paper industry in Europe, North America, and East Asia by applying these three categories. The chapter summarizes structural changes in the global competitive landscape in the 21st century. Despite considerable global integration in the flow of raw material and semi-finished products the world market had been divided into the continental size of regional markets.