Forest Products Utilization and Marketing

Pulp and paper

Wisconsin is the No. 1 papermaking state and has held this position in the U.S. for the last 50 years, producing more than 5.3 million tons of paper and 1.1 million tons of paperboard annually, according to the Wisconsin Paper Council [exit DNR])

The paper industry is under stress due to foreign competition, high oil costs and high fiber costs that have reduced companies' competitive position in the global marketplace. It is estimated that Wisconsin lost 10,000 jobs from 2000 to 2004 in the pulp, paper and printing sectors. The pulp and paper industry is restructuring globally and must add products and streamline operations to regain a competitive advantage.

Utilization and Marketing staff develop information about the changes in the global marketplace, including the impact of the loss of rail lines to changes in legislation, so that the information can be brought to the decision-makers of this economy. These efforts protect and sustain over 72,603 manufacturing-related jobs in Wisconsin.