EU: Recovered Paper Market 2025

Recovered Paper Market Size in the EU

The EU recovered paper market shrank modestly to $X in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Production in the EU

In value terms, recovered paper production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, the amount of recovered paper exported in the European Union declined to X tons, waning by -10.9% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports recorded a mild decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 28%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, recovered paper exports dropped modestly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 84%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the key exporters of recovered paper in 2022, resulting at approx. 16% and 15% of total exports, respectively. Germany (X tons) took a 9.5% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Italy (9.3%), Poland (7.6%), Belgium (6.6%), the Czech Republic (5.1%) and Spain (4.8%). Sweden (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +8.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest recovered paper supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 40% share of total exports. Italy, Poland, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Greece and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +11.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, surging by 7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 43%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Poland ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Recovered Paper Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, the amount of recovered paper imported in the European Union declined to X tons, with a decrease of -12.2% against the previous year. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 39%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, recovered paper imports declined to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +87.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 95%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports by Country

Germany was the main importer of recovered paper in the European Union, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 35% of total imports in 2022. The Netherlands (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 19% share, followed by Austria (9.9%), Spain (8.5%), France (6.1%) and Belgium (5.2%). Poland (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +2.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported recovered paper in the European Union, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Austria, with an 11% share.

In Germany, recovered paper imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+1.8% per year) and Austria (+4.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 9.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 40%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Austria ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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