Is There a Southern European Model? Development of the Pulp and Paper Industry in Italy, Spain and Portugal (1800–2010)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse the papermaking industry in Spain, Portugal and Italy in a long chronological view and to look for some general characteristics to define a Southern European pattern. This European area declined from being the world’s papermaking centre during the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period into a more secondary role, especially during nineteenth century. The main reasons in this process of losing ground were two: the introduction of the Fourdrinier machine and the change from traditional raw materials (rag) to wood pulp. The decline halted during the first third of the twentieth century and even reverted in more recent decades.