Pulp From Fibres Other Than Wood Market

The global market for pulp from fibres other than wood is projected to experience growth in consumption and performance over the next eight years. In 2022, the market saw an increase in consumption after years of decline, with China, India, and the Czech Republic being the top consuming countries. Production of pulp also increased in 2022, with exports and imports showing growth trends. The average import price and export price of pulp from fibres other than wood remained relatively stable in 2022. Overall, the market is expected to continue to expand in the immediate term.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for pulp from fibres other than wood worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 13M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $22.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Pulp From Fibres Other Than Wood

In 2022, consumption of pulp from fibres other than wood increased by 0.2% to 12M tons, rising for the second year in a row after eight years of decline. In general, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption of hit record highs at 17M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The size of the market for pulp from fibres other than wood worldwide fell to $17.3B in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the market value increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $29B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (5.5M tons), India (3M tons) and the Czech Republic (422K tons), together comprising 75% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +105.3%), while wood for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($7.5B), India ($4.5B) and the Czech Republic ($766M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 73% of the global market.

Among the main consuming countries, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +104.9%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while wood for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of per capita consumption of pulp from fibres other than wood was registered in the Czech Republic (39 kg per person), followed by Poland (8.1 kg per person), China (3.9 kg per person) and Italy (3.6 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of pulp from fibres other than wood was estimated at less than 0.1 kg per person.

In the Czech Republic, per capita consumption of pulp from fibres other than wood increased at an average annual rate of +105.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Poland (+10.2% per year) and China (-6.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Pulp From Fibres Other Than Wood

In 2022, production of pulp from fibres other than wood increased by 1% to 12M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after eight years of decline. Overall, production, however, recorded a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production of attained the maximum volume at 17M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, production of pulp from fibres other than wood shrank slightly to $16.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production of hit record highs at $29.9B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (5.6M tons), India (3M tons) and the Czech Republic (424K tons), with a combined 76% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +57.9%), while wood for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Pulp From Fibres Other Than Wood

For the sixth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in purchases abroad of pulp from fibres other than wood, which increased by 1.5% to 534K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, global imports of reached the peak figure at 543K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, imports of pulp from fibres other than wood surged to $968M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of pulp from fibres other than wood, namely Saudi Arabia, Germany, the United States, Japan, China, the Netherlands, South Korea, Austria, Belgium, France, the UK and Brazil, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Sweden (13K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +20.7%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest pulp from fibres other than wood importing markets worldwide were Germany ($124M), Japan ($101M) and the Netherlands ($86M), with a combined 32% share of global imports. The UK, South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, France, Sweden, Austria, the United States and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 45%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +16.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

The imports of the three major types of pulp from fibres other than wood, namely pulp; cotton linters pulp, pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), chemical and pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), mechanical (19K tons) and pulp; of bamboo (13K tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key imported products, was attained by pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while imports for the other products experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, pulp; cotton linters pulp ($429M), pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), chemical ($258M) and pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical ($236M) constituted the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 95% of global imports.

Pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical, with a CAGR of +9.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average import price for pulp from fibres other than wood amounted to $1,812 per ton, picking up by 21% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was pulp; cotton linters pulp ($2,118 per ton), while the price for pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), mechanical ($1,272 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by pulp; of bamboo (+9.7%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average import price for pulp from fibres other than wood stood at $1,812 per ton in 2022, increasing by 21% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($4,370 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($600 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+8.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Pulp From Fibres Other Than Wood

In 2022, overseas shipments of pulp from fibres other than wood increased by 21% to 592K tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, exports of pulp from fibres other than wood skyrocketed to $856M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, the Philippines (179K tons), distantly followed by China (93K tons), the United States (88K tons), Germany (39K tons) and Spain (29K tons) represented the main exporters of pulp from fibres other than wood, together mixing up 72% of total exports. Uzbekistan (25K tons), Denmark (24K tons), Hungary (24K tons), Canada (16K tons), the Netherlands (15K tons), Thailand (14K tons) and Belgium (12K tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +123.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest pulp from fibres other than wood supplying countries worldwide were China ($198M), the Philippines ($139M) and the United States ($118M), together accounting for 53% of global exports. Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Belgium, Thailand, Denmark and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

Among the main exporting countries, Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +103.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Pulp; cotton linters pulp represented the major type of pulp from fibres other than wood in the world, with the volume of exports resulting at 207K tons, which was near 46% of total exports in 2022. Pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), chemical (104K tons) took a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical (17%) and pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), mechanical (11%). Pulp; of bamboo (13K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for pulp; of bamboo (with a CAGR of +13.5%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of exported pulp from fibres other than wood were pulp; cotton linters pulp ($405M), pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical ($218M) and pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), chemical ($180M), together accounting for 94% of global exports.

Among the main exported products, pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical, with a CAGR of +19.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average export price for pulp from fibres other than wood stood at $1,446 per ton in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 14% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $1,501 per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical ($2,801 per ton), while the average price for exports of pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), mechanical ($606 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by pulp; of fibrous cellulosic material (other than wood or cotton linters pulp), semi-chemical (+13.6%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for pulp from fibres other than wood stood at $1,446 per ton in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 14%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $1,501 per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($3,834 per ton), while Denmark ($287 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+38.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform