Carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers in rolls or sheets market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, Germany's trade in carbon and self-copy papers declined steadily, with imports falling from 10 933 t to 3 051 t and exports dropping from 69 940 t to 37 193 t. This contraction aligns with the global shift toward digital documentation, which reduced demand for physical copy papers, and increasing sustainability preferences that favored eco-friendly alternatives.

Domestic production showed volatility between 2020 and 2022, rising from 84 588 t to 95 354 t in 2021 before falling to 77 035 t in 2022. Correspondingly, the market volume grew to 38 830 t in 2021 but retreated to 30 967 t in 2022, reflecting adjustments in supply chains and consumption patterns influenced by digitalization and environmental regulations.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced disruptions to global trade flows, affecting import and export levels, while subsequent years saw the market adapting to continued pressure from digital substitution and stricter sustainability standards.

Production carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers in rolls or sheets in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers in rolls or sheets from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of carbon paper, self-copy paper, and other copying or transfer papers in rolls or sheets declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 55 329 tonnes, marking a significant 10.1% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 29.4%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of these papers were widely distributed across many markets. Poland accounted for 13.8% of exports, the United Kingdom for 11.8%, and France for 11.7%. Together, these three countries made up only 37.3% of total exports, with the remaining 62.7% going to other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of carbon paper, self-copy paper, and other copying or transfer papers in rolls or sheets declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 94.5 million US dollars, a sharp 12.3% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 23%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 8.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 128.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of these papers in value terms were not concentrated on just a few key markets. The United Kingdom accounted for 13.5% of exports, Poland for 12.8%, and France for 12.2%. Combined, these three countries represented only 38.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers in rolls or sheets to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of carbon paper, self-copy paper, and other copying or transfer papers in rolls or sheets declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 6 735 tonnes, a substantial 24.4% contraction from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31.4%, with an average annual decline of 11.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 10 933 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland and Czechia dominated Germany's imports of these papers in volume, together accounting for 82.1% of total imports. The rest was spread across other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of carbon paper, self-copy paper, and other copying or transfer papers in rolls or sheets declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 15.4 million US dollars, reflecting a 20.0% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 20.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 7.3%. The highest value was in 2018 at 21.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and China were the top sources for Germany's imports of these papers in value terms. Poland accounted for 55.4% of imports, Czechia for 16.2%, and China for 9.5%. Together, they made up 81.1% of total import value.

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

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