Europe: Market for Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp 2024

Market Size for Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp in Europe

After two years of decline, the Europe dissolving grade wood pulp market increased by 7.5% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp in Europe

In value terms, dissolving grade wood pulp production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +56.0% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 41% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Exports of Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp

Exports in Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of dissolving grade wood pulp were exported in Europe; shrinking by -1.8% compared with the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 36%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

In value terms, dissolving grade wood pulp exports surged to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Sweden (X tons), Finland (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) was the key exporter of dissolving grade wood pulp in Europe, comprising 60% of total export. It was distantly followed by Norway (X tons), France (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Slovenia (X tons) and Austria (X tons), together constituting a 32% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Slovenia (with a CAGR of +350.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sweden ($X), Finland ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 56% of total exports. Norway, France, Portugal, Slovenia and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

Slovenia, with a CAGR of +235.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible descent. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp

Imports in Europe

In 2021, purchases abroad of dissolving grade wood pulp increased by 7.7% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, dissolving grade wood pulp imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a noticeable slump. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) was the key importer of dissolving grade wood pulp, constituting 52% of total imports. Austria (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Belgium (X tons), the UK (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons). All these countries together took near 32% share of total imports. The following importers - Ireland (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) - together made up 5.9% of total imports.

Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of dissolving grade wood pulp. At the same time, the Netherlands (+3.1%) and Austria (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +3.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Belgium (-2.5%), Sweden (-4.1%), the UK (-4.1%) and Ireland (-5.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Austria (+2.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Ireland (-2.3 p.p.), Belgium (-2.3 p.p.) and the UK (-3.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported dissolving grade wood pulp in Europe, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Austria ($X), with a 9.3% share of total imports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 8.7% share.

In Germany, dissolving grade wood pulp imports plunged by an average annual rate of -2.2% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (+0.8% per year) and Belgium (-4.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 5.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 6.1%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ireland (-0.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform