Paper other than Graphic, Packaging or Tissue Market

The global market for paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue is expected to see steady growth from 2022 to 2030, with China playing a significant role as the largest consumer and producer. The United States, Australia, Germany, and Finland are key exporters in this market. The market experienced fluctuations in consumption and production over the past decade, with varying growth rates and trends in different countries. Import and export prices also showed fluctuations, with some products commanding higher prices than others. Overall, the paper market remains dynamic and is poised for future growth.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 24M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $76.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Paper other than Graphic, Packaging or Tissue

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in consumption of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue, when its volume decreased by -1.3% to 20M tons. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 9.8%. Global consumption peaked at 20M tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

The value of the market for paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue worldwide declined to $55.2B in 2022, dropping by -5.7% 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). Over the period under review, consumption saw a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 5.6%. Global consumption peaked at $61.5B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (9.1M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of consumption of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue, comprising approx. 45% of total volume. Moreover, consumption of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Japan (1.3M tons), sevenfold. Germany (1.3M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.6% share.

In China, consumption of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue increased at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Japan (-0.5% per year) and Germany (+0.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($17.7B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($4.7B). It was followed by France.

In China, the market of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue expanded at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-9.1% per year) and France (-2.5% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of per capita consumption of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue was registered in Finland (104 kg per person), followed by Germany (16 kg per person), Spain (12 kg per person) and Japan (11 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue was estimated at 2.6 kg per person.

In Finland, per capita consumption of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-0.2% per year) and Spain (-4.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Paper other than Graphic, Packaging or Tissue

In 2022, production of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue decreased by -0.9% to 20M tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 9.8%. Over the period under review, global production of attained the maximum volume at 21M tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, production of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue shrank modestly to $53.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a slight reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 7.5%. Global production peaked at $63.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (9.2M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of production of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue, comprising approx. 45% of total volume. Moreover, production of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Germany (1.4M tons), sixfold. Japan (1.3M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.6% share.

In China, production of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue expanded at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Germany (+0.5% per year) and Japan (-0.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Paper other than Graphic, Packaging or Tissue

Global imports of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue dropped to 1.4M tons in 2022, which is down by -5.3% on the previous year. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 6.6%. Over the period under review, global imports of reached the maximum at 1.5M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue rose slightly to $3.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, global imports of attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (94K tons), Spain (90K tons), Canada (81K tons), Germany (71K tons), Poland (69K tons), Italy (64K tons), Turkey (59K tons), the United States (57K tons), the Netherlands (54K tons), Indonesia (49K tons), Ecuador (40K tons) and Bangladesh (39K tons) represented the largest importer of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue in the world, comprising 53% of total import. France (36K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ecuador (with a CAGR of +25.6%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($428M), Germany ($240M) and Poland ($191M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 22% of global imports. China, the Netherlands, Canada, Turkey, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, France, Bangladesh and Ecuador lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Among the main importing countries, Ecuador, with a CAGR of +23.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

In 2022, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (691K tons) represented the largest type of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue, constituting 49% of total imports. Cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes (445K tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by uncoated filter paper and paperboard (130K tons). All these products together held approx. 40% share of total imports. The following types - uncoated felt paper and paperboard (56K tons), paper and paperboard; wallpaper base, uncoated, in rolls or sheets (51K tons) and filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp (33K tons) - together made up 9.9% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for uncoated filter paper and paperboard (with a CAGR of +2.2%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes ($2.4B) constitutes the largest type of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue imported worldwide, comprising 63% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($557M), with a 14% share of global imports. It was followed by uncoated filter paper and paperboard, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes imports was relatively modest. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (+1.8% per year) and uncoated filter paper and paperboard (+2.1% per year).

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average import price for paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue amounted to $2,681 per ton, increasing by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. 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 filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp ($5,593 per ton), while the price for kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($806 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by paper and paperboard; wallpaper base, uncoated, in rolls or sheets (+3.6%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average import price for paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue stood at $2,681 per ton in 2022, surging by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached 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 United States ($7,533 per ton), while Ecuador ($812 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 (+9.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Paper other than Graphic, Packaging or Tissue

In 2022, overseas shipments of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue increased by 0.2% to 1.5M tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 4.9%. Over the period under review, the global exports of attained the maximum at 1.6M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue amounted to $3.8B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, the global exports of attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, the United States (366K tons), distantly followed by Australia (153K tons), Germany (150K tons), Finland (129K tons), China (117K tons) and Austria (106K tons) were the largest exporters of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue, together mixing up 66% of total exports. The following exporters - France (61K tons), Indonesia (53K tons), Spain (45K tons), the Czech Republic (43K tons), Vietnam (34K tons), the Netherlands (26K tons) and Belgium (26K tons) - together made up 19% of total exports.

Exports from the United States decreased at an average annual rate of -1.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, France (+17.3%), China (+7.7%), the Netherlands (+6.8%), Vietnam (+6.2%), the Czech Republic (+3.5%), Germany (+1.8%), Spain (+1.3%) and Belgium (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, France emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +17.3% from 2012-2022. Austria, Finland and Indonesia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Australia (-4.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China and France increased by +3.8 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue supplying countries worldwide were Austria ($499M), Germany ($403M) and the United States ($337M), together accounting for 32% of global exports. France, China, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, Indonesia, Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Vietnam lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

France, with a CAGR of +8.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (758K tons) was the largest type of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue, making up 50% of total exports. It was distantly followed by cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes (483K tons), uncoated filter paper and paperboard (104K tons) and uncoated felt paper and paperboard (71K tons), together generating a 43% share of total exports. Paper and paperboard; wallpaper base, uncoated, in rolls or sheets (56K tons) and filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp (32K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp (with a CAGR of +3.4%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes ($2.4B) remains the largest type of paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue supplied worldwide, comprising 64% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($559M), with a 15% share of global exports. It was followed by uncoated filter paper and paperboard, with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes exports stood at +2.1%. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (+0.6% per year) and uncoated filter paper and paperboard (+1.6% per year).

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average export price for paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue amounted to $2,479 per ton, growing by 2.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw slight growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 11%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp ($7,205 per ton), while the average price for exports of uncoated felt paper and paperboard ($719 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by filter block (+2.2%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue stood at $2,479 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 2.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a slight increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 11%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Spain ($6,040 per ton), while Australia ($706 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+8.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform