Paper File Cover Market

The article analyzes the global paper file cover market from 2022 to 2030, with projections on consumption, production, imports, and exports. Consumption of paper binders, folders, and file covers is expected to increase slightly with a CAGR of +0.2% by 2030. The market value is forecasted to reach $3.7B by 2030. China, the United States, and India are the top consumers, while China leads in production. The United States is the key importer and exporter, with Nigeria showing significant growth. Prices vary by country, with Germany having the highest export price. Overall, the market shows a trend of moderate growth and fluctuations in consumption, production, imports, and exports over the analyzed period.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for paper file cover worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Paper Binders, Folders And File Covers

In 2022, consumption of paper binders, folders and file covers was finally on the rise to reach 1.1M tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, showed a slight downturn. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 1.3M tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global paper file cover market revenue expanded significantly to $3.2B in 2022, increasing by 6.9% against 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). In general, consumption, however, saw a slight decline. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $3.7B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (281K tons), the United States (171K tons) and India (109K tons), with a combined 50% share of global consumption. Germany, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, France and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +50.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the consumption figures.

In value terms, the largest paper file cover markets worldwide were China ($726M), the United States ($567M) and Germany ($286M), together accounting for 50% of the global market. India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, France, Nigeria and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

Among the main consuming countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +55.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of paper file cover per capita consumption was registered in Germany (1,297 kg per 1000 persons), followed by the United States (510 kg per 1000 persons), France (320 kg per 1000 persons) and Mexico (204 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of paper file cover was estimated at 143 kg per 1000 persons.

In Germany, paper file cover per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the United States (-0.8% per year) and France (-4.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Paper Binders, Folders And File Covers

In 2022, production of paper binders, folders and file covers was finally on the rise to reach 1.1M tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year declining trend. Overall, production, however, showed a slight reduction. Global production peaked at 1.3M tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paper file cover production fell modestly to $2.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 6.5%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $3.6B in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (332K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of paper file cover production, comprising approx. 31% of total volume. Moreover, paper file cover production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (115K tons), threefold. The United States (94K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.7% share.

In China, paper file cover production plunged by an average annual rate of -1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (+0.3% per year) and the United States (-1.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Paper Binders, Folders And File Covers

In 2022, purchases abroad of paper binders, folders and file covers increased by 25% to 264K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a slight setback. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 299K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper file cover imports surged to $773M in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight reduction. Global imports peaked at $923M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (83K tons) was the key importer of paper binders, folders and file covers, committing 32% of total imports. Nigeria (34K tons) held a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (12%) and Japan (4.6%). France (8.9K tons), the UK (7.4K tons), Canada (6K tons), the Netherlands (5.7K tons), Belgium (5.5K tons) and Austria (4.5K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of paper binders, folders and file covers. At the same time, Nigeria (+50.3%) and Germany (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +50.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, France (-3.0%), Belgium (-4.1%), Japan (-4.8%), Canada (-5.5%), the Netherlands (-5.9%), Austria (-6.2%) and the UK (-6.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+13 p.p.), Germany (+3.3 p.p.) and the United States (+3.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Japan and the UK saw its share reduced by -2% and -2.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($250M) constitutes the largest market for imported paper binders, folders and file covers worldwide, comprising 32% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($93M), with a 12% share of global imports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 7.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States amounted to -1.3%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+2.2% per year) and Nigeria (+63.1% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average paper file cover import price stood at $2,933 per ton in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 5.4%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $3,110 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($3,997 per ton), while Nigeria ($1,604 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+8.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Paper Binders, Folders And File Covers

In 2022, global exports of paper binders, folders and file covers was estimated at 211K tons, approximately reflecting the year before. Overall, exports, however, saw a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 9.8% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 292K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper file cover exports expanded to $644M in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $836M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (52K tons), distantly followed by Mexico (28K tons), Vietnam (20K tons), Poland (16K tons), the Czech Republic (16K tons) and Germany (15K tons) were the largest exporters of paper binders, folders and file covers, together mixing up 70% of total exports. Malaysia (9.1K tons), France (7.5K tons), India (6.6K tons), Canada (5.8K tons), the United States (5.6K tons) and Turkey (3.9K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +24.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paper file cover supplying countries worldwide were China ($149M), Mexico ($80M) and Vietnam ($62M), together comprising 45% of global exports. Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, France, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, India and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Among the main exporting countries, India, with a CAGR of +27.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average paper file cover export price amounted to $3,059 per ton, increasing by 2.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 6.6% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($4,040 per ton), while India ($1,933 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+2.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform