Europe: Recovered Paper Market 2025

Recovered Paper Market Size in Europe

The Europe recovered paper market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Recovered Paper Production in Europe

In value terms, recovered paper production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 14%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, the amount of recovered paper exported in Europe declined to X tons, with a decrease of -9.6% against 2021. In general, exports saw a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 28%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 86%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the UK (X tons), distantly followed by France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons), Italy (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) represented the key exporters of recovered paper, together constituting 67% of total exports. The following exporters - the Czech Republic (X tons), Spain (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and Greece (X tons) - together made up 16% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main 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 UK ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 43% of total exports. Germany, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, Greece and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +11.6%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 4.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 45% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady 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 Europe

In 2022, imports of recovered paper in Europe dropped to X tons, which is down by -12.4% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 38%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, recovered paper imports contracted slightly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a noticeable increase 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 +83.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 92% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Austria (X tons), Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main importers of recovered paper, together making up 80% of total imports. The following importers - Poland (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Italy (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons) - together made up 11% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +2.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported recovered paper in Europe, comprising 35% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Austria, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany totaled +4.4%. 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

In 2022, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, 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 39% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while Poland ($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