Adhesive paper and paperboard market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish adhesive paper and paperboard market expanded significantly in 2022, with volume reaching 174 thousand tons and value rising to $494.7 million. This growth was primarily driven by the implementation of new sustainability regulations, including the Waste Law 7/2022 and Royal Decree 1055/2022, which promoted circular economy practices and extended producer responsibility. These measures increased demand for recyclable packaging materials, building on earlier rules like the 2020 TED Order that encouraged the use of recovered paper and cardboard.

By 2024, however, the market contracted to 135 thousand tons and $345.1 million, falling below 2021 levels. This decline was influenced by persistent global challenges, such as high raw material and energy costs along with geopolitical tensions, which pressured production and consumption throughout the period. The industry also faced adjustments to evolving EU and national regulatory requirements on materials, labeling, and recycling.

Throughout the period, the market was shaped by a structural shift towards sustainable packaging solutions, driven by regulatory changes and consumer preferences. Key developments included the entry of new EU regulations on recycled materials in food contact, increased standardization efforts within the paper industry, and growing demand for eco-friendly adhesive paper and paperboard products.

Production adhesive paper and paperboard in Spain

According to Faostat, there is no production of adhesive paper and paperboard in Spain.

Exports adhesive paper and paperboard from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's exports of adhesive paper and paperboard have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 134.6 K t, marking a 10.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 14.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 116.4 K t, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain supplied adhesive paper and paperboard to a diverse range of markets. Even the top destinations—France, Italy, and Portugal—collectively accounted for only 45.8% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain exported adhesive paper and paperboard worth 328.5 M $ US, a 6.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 15%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The largest decline was observed in 2019 at 1.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 9.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, the main markets for Spain's adhesive paper and paperboard exports in value terms were France (29.6% of exports), Portugal (12.2%), and the United Kingdom (9.6%). Together, these three countries represented 51.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports adhesive paper and paperboard to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Spain's imports of adhesive paper and paperboard declined. In 2020, imports totaled 52.4 K t, down 1.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 52.4 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 6.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the key suppliers of adhesive paper and paperboard to Spain in volume terms were France (29.3% of imports), Poland (20.0%), and Italy (16.7%). These three partners jointly accounted for 66.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's imports of adhesive paper and paperboard have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 128.4 M $ US, a 6.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 2.2%, with a CAGR of 0.7%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 140.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase that year at 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017–2020 period, the largest suppliers of adhesive paper and paperboard to Spain in value terms were France (24.1% of imports), Italy (18.8%), and Germany (16.4%). Together, these three countries formed 59.2% of total imports by value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020