Pulp, paper and converted paper product manufacturing

The pulp and paper industry manufactures pulp and a wide range of paper and paper products in the following main categories:

· printing and communications paper

· newsprint

· packaging

· industrial paper

· tissue products.

These products are produced using pulp from both Australian paper recycling and wood sources, with some pulp imported to supplement domestic supply.

The performance of this industry is dependent on the demand for goods made from pulp and paper materials. Demand for paperboard and cardboard packaging products has been maintained in recent years but is affected by competition from substitutes such as plastic packaging. Printing and publishing industries have steadily lost market share to electronic alternatives (e.g. the internet, ebooks and iPads), driving down total consumption of paper products, particularly newsprint. Technological advances in computers and printers have increased demand for printing paper in homes and offices.

The technology of pulping and paper making is very complex, involving diverse high-tech machines and systems integrated into continuous, production line processes. In the decade to 2013 the industry made significant inroads in technology improvements for water and energy efficiency, and for by-products conversion into renewable energy (electricity and heat generation).

Most jobs in this industry require high-level skills to operate complex processes, specialised pulp and paper machines and computerised equipment. They require competences for troubleshooting and rectification of systems and processes.

Being a heavily mechanised industry, the job opportunities are mainly as machine operators in a range of specialised processes, chemical and electrical engineers, computer-assisted designers and information technology (IT) specialists. There are also roles for mechanics, electricians, boilermakers and plumbers to service and maintain production facilities.

Technology upgrades and the level of process integration and computerisation are ever increasing in this industry. Integration across multiple processes and technologies (centralised control) and between different technologies (old and new) is a common future in the industry, requiring control systems and production operation skills and knowledge.

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