Eastern Asia: Composite Paperboard Market 2025

Composite Paperboard Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian composite paperboard market rose to $X in 2021, growing by 3.4% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a pronounced decline. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Composite Paperboard Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, composite paperboard production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 4.9% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Composite Paperboard Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of composite paper and paperboard decreased by -19.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a perceptible decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, composite paperboard exports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 10% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Korea represented the largest exporter of composite paper and paperboard in Eastern Asia, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 65% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by China (X tons), comprising a 28% share of total exports. The following exporters - Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) - together made up 5.4% of total exports.

South Korea was also the fastest-growing in terms of the composite paper and paperboard exports, with a CAGR of +5.3% from 2012 to 2021. China (-11.1%), Hong Kong SAR (-13.0%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-23.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Korea (+39 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan (Chinese) and China saw its share reduced by -3.7%, -12.9% and -23.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, China ($X) emerged as the largest composite paperboard supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 27% share of total exports. It was followed by Hong Kong SAR, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to -12.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (-1.7% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-11.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 28% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Composite Paperboard Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, purchases abroad of composite paper and paperboard was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, imports saw resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, composite paperboard imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -26.8% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China represented the largest importer of composite paper and paperboard in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 66% of total imports in 2021. South Korea (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Japan (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons). All these countries together took near 34% share of total imports.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+23.2%), South Korea (+6.0%) and Hong Kong SAR (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +23.2% from 2012-2021. Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.7 p.p.) and China (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of South Korea (-2 p.p.), Hong Kong SAR (-3 p.p.) and Japan (-5.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported composite paper and paperboard in Eastern Asia, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Hong Kong SAR, with a 7.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in China amounted to +1.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (-1.1% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-1.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 9.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (-0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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