Global cartonboard demand is forecast to increase by 1.8 percent a year through 2004, says a new study by Landell Mills Marketpower, London. Just under 26 million metric tons were sold last year worldwide.

Nearly half of all additional demand will likely come from China, LMM says. However, in spite of capacity buildup in China, it will still be insufficient to cover current, let alone forecast, increases in demand. North America is the largest region, accounting for nearly a third of total cartonboard demand, followed by Western Europe with 21 percent, LMM says.