United Kingdom: Recovered Paper Market 2024

Recovered Paper Market Size in the UK

For the third year in a row, the UK recovered paper market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -6.6% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption recorded a deep contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Recovered Paper Production in the UK

In value terms, recovered paper production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Recovered paper production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, approx. X tons of recovered paper were exported from the UK; waning by -2.1% compared with 2021. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 26%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper exports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +81.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 98% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports by Country

India (X tons) was the main destination for recovered paper exports from the UK, with a 27% share of total exports. Moreover, recovered paper exports to India exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Vietnam (X tons), twofold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to India amounted to +19.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+74.8% per year) and Germany (+8.7% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) remains the key foreign market for recovered paper exports from the UK, comprising 29% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to India amounted to +19.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+10.7% per year) and Vietnam (+73.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average recovered paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, recovered paper export price increased by +52.1% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 57%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were India ($X per ton) and Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Malaysia (+3.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Recovered Paper Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, approx. X tons of recovered paper were imported into the UK; shrinking by -25.9% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 98%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw measured growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 125% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of recovered paper imports to the UK, with a combined 84% share of total imports. Belgium, Germany and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +91.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest recovered paper suppliers to the UK were the Netherlands ($X), Ireland ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 80% share of total imports.

France, with a CAGR of +32.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average recovered paper import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, recovered paper import price increased by +76.3% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 18% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+6.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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