EU: Composite Paperboard Market 2025

Composite Paperboard Market Size in the EU

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was decline in the EU composite paperboard market, when its value decreased by -1% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Composite Paperboard Production in the EU

In value terms, composite paperboard production shrank modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 6.5% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Composite Paperboard Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, overseas shipments of composite paper and paperboard were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, composite paperboard exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands was the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 68% of total exports. Germany (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 14% share, followed by Italy (5.5%). Spain (X tons), France (X tons), Finland (X tons) and Poland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of composite paper and paperboard. At the same time, Poland (+7.9%) and France (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +7.9% from 2012-2021. Italy and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Finland (-2.5%) and Spain (-5.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Spain (-2.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest composite paperboard supplier in the European Union, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 6.4% share.

In the Netherlands, composite paperboard exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+0.5% per year) and Italy (+4.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 Finland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+8.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Composite Paperboard Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, supplies from abroad of composite paper and paperboard increased by 10% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, composite paperboard imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Belgium (X tons), distantly followed by Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons), France (X tons), Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) represented the largest importers of composite paper and paperboard, together constituting 78% of total imports. Portugal (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Latvia (X tons), Austria (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Latvia (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), Germany ($X) and Poland ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 41% of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Portugal, Slovakia and Latvia, which together accounted for a further 47%.

In terms of the main importing countries, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +8.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, surging by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while Latvia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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