Global Papermaking Machinery Market: Continued Growth Expected with +0.3% CAGR

IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Machinery For Making Up Paper Pulp, Paper Or Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

The global machinery market for paper pulp, paper, and paperboard is set to experience continued growth over the next six years, with an expected CAGR of +0.3% in market volume and +2.5% in market value. By 2030, the market volume is projected to reach 404K units, while the market value is anticipated to reach $23.7B in nominal prices.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for machinery for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next six years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.3% for the period from 2024 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 404K units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2024 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $23.7B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Machinery For Making Up Paper Pulp, Paper Or Paperboard

In 2024, approx. 396K units of machinery for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard were consumed worldwide; growing by 14% compared with 2023. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The global paper making machinery market revenue was estimated at $20.4B in 2024, increasing by 9.3% 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, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $22B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were China (93K units), the United States (52K units) and India (31K units), with a combined 45% share of global consumption. Nigeria, Japan, Portugal, Brazil, France, Italy and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +12.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paper making machinery markets worldwide were China ($3.3B), the United States ($2.8B) and India ($2.5B), together comprising 42% of the global market. Nigeria, Japan, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

Among the main consuming countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +12.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the highest levels of paper making machinery per capita consumption was registered in Portugal (1,202 units per million persons), followed by Italy (174 units per million persons), France (163 units per million persons) and the United States (154 units per million persons), while the world average per capita consumption of paper making machinery was estimated at 49 units per million persons.

In Portugal, paper making machinery per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (-0.3% per year) and France (-2.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Machinery For Making Up Paper Pulp, Paper Or Paperboard

Global paper making machinery production stood at 399K units in 2024, growing by 3.8% compared with 2023 figures. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the production volume increased by 16%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 414K units. From 2023 to 2024, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper making machinery production stood at $19.6B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 8.4%. Global production peaked at $22.2B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (141K units) constituted the country with the largest volume of paper making machinery production, accounting for 35% of total volume. Moreover, paper making machinery production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (40K units), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (30K units), with a 7.5% share.

In China, paper making machinery production expanded at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-0.6% per year) and India (+1.1% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Machinery For Making Up Paper Pulp, Paper Or Paperboard

In 2024, global paper making machinery imports surged to 65K units, with an increase of 46% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports saw buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, paper making machinery imports amounted to $1.7B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the three major importers of machinery for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard, namely Nigeria, the United States and Thailand, represented more than half of total import. Vietnam (1.6K units), India (1.3K units), Turkey (1.1K units), Germany (1.1K units) and Indonesia (1.1K units) held a little share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +42.5%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Nigeria ($293M), the United States ($262M) and India ($88M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together comprising 38% of global imports.

Among the main importing countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +45.4%, 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.

Import Prices By Country

The average paper making machinery import price stood at $26 thousand per unit in 2024, dropping by -28.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 an increase of 29%. Global import price peaked at $52 thousand per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($67 thousand per unit), while Thailand ($2.3 thousand per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+2.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Machinery For Making Up Paper Pulp, Paper Or Paperboard

Global paper making machinery exports dropped notably to 68K units in 2024, with a decrease of -15.2% on 2023 figures. Overall, exports, however, posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when exports increased by 77% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 93K units. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper making machinery exports contracted modestly to $1.6B in 2024. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 29%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $1.8B. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the global exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, amounting to 48K units, which was near 70% of total exports in 2024. Italy (5.5K units) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 8% share, followed by Thailand (6.1%). The following exporters - Germany (1.7K units) and the United States (1.6K units) - each accounted for a 4.8% share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +28.5% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Thailand (+39.4%) and the United States (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Thailand emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +39.4% from 2013-2024. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-3.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+58 p.p.) and Thailand (+5.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2013-2024, the share of the United States (-1.6 p.p.), Germany (-5.1 p.p.) and Italy (-24 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest paper making machinery supplying countries worldwide were China ($499M), Italy ($425M) and Germany ($168M), with a combined 69% share of global exports.

China, with a CAGR of +8.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the average paper making machinery export price amounted to $23 thousand per unit, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $61 thousand per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($99 thousand per unit), while Thailand ($25 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+1.5%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform