New Ideas on Pollution Control in the Pulp and Paper Industry – Are There Any?

The development of the pulp and paper industry is reviewed. It is pointed out that production processes must now consider environmental concerns in addition to the suitability of the final product. The difficulties of defining the total harmful effects of a process are outlined. It is concluded that there has been good progress from the environmental point of view, and that in the future, choices must be made to allocate scarce resources so that output in terms of environmental quality is maximized.