Chemical wood pulp market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the chemical wood pulp market in Western Europe was influenced by rising demand for packaging and hygiene products, supported by technological investments and the entry of new producers. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further amplified demand for tissue and packaging papers, which helped maintain market volume despite initial supply chain disruptions.

Market volume reached a peak of over 10.1 million tons in 2021, driven by sustained post-pandemic demand for renewable packaging and hygiene items, even as raw material and energy costs began to climb. However, by 2022, global supply chain bottlenecks and soaring energy prices started to constrain imports and production, leading to a contraction to 9.4 million tons.

In 2023, the market fell sharply to 7.4 million tons, pressured by continued high production costs and market consolidation through mergers and acquisitions. At the same time, tighter environmental regulations and EU policies promoting a circular economy encouraged a shift toward more sustainable pulp production, affecting overall output.

Production chemical wood pulp in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

In 2019, Western Europe produced 4 906 K t of chemical wood pulp, marking the highest output recorded. The following year, in 2020, production declined slightly to 4 842 K t, representing a 1.3% decrease from 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of chemical wood pulp production in Western Europe was 2 922 M $ US, which is 11.7% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chemical wood pulp from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of chemical wood pulp from Western Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3 463 K t, reflecting a modest drop of 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 021 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.4% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 26.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. China accounted for 14.0% of exports, Italy for 12.9%, and Slovenia for 6.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 33.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp shipments from Western Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 2 090 M $ US, reflecting a robust fall of 15.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 552 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 17.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, exports in value terms were allocated across a large number of markets. China accounted for 13.3% of exports, Italy for 12.4%, and Slovenia for 6.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 31.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe's chemical wood pulp imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to a total of K t, equivalent to a slight fall of 0.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets for imports in kind were Brazil, Sweden, and Finland. Together, they accounted for 51.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp deliveries to Western Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 4 594 M $ US, corresponding to a robust decline of 16.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 096 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 22.2% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 20.2%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. Brazil accounted for 18.7% of imports, Sweden for 18.1%, and Finland for 12.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 49.6% of total import flows, with the remaining 50.4% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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