Dissolving wood pulp market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, production of dissolving wood pulp in Eastern Europe fluctuated, falling from 349.9 thousand tons to 314.1 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 331.3 thousand tons in 2020. The market volume also dropped sharply to 71.4 thousand tons in 2019 but rebounded to 86.6 thousand tons in 2020. The recovery in production was supported by the adaptation of local enterprises to challenging economic conditions, including sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to operational adjustments and improved resilience.

From 2021 to 2023, production continued to grow, reaching 366.6 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was driven by modernization and technical upgrades at pulp and paper mills, enhancing efficiency and output. Additionally, rising demand for environmentally friendly fibers and sustainable fashion stimulated market development. However, the market volume experienced volatility, peaking at 127.8 thousand tons in 2022 before declining to 105.6 thousand tons in 2023, as imports of dissolving pulp contracted while exports remained significant. The ongoing adaptation to sanctions and economic challenges further influenced production strategies.

In 2024, imports of dissolving wood pulp amounted to 14.8 thousand tons, while exports reached 307.1 thousand tons. During this year, new regulatory documents on best available technologies for the pulp and paper industry came into effect, raising environmental standards. Furthermore, plans were announced for the construction of a new dissolving pulp production facility in the Urals, scheduled for launch in 2027, indicating potential future shifts in supply. The demand for packaging paper and board continued to stimulate the broader pulp market.

Production dissolving wood pulp in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dissolving wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

After a two-year decline, dissolving wood pulp production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased. In 2020, the region produced 331.3 K t, marking a modest 5.5% rise from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 40.3%, averaging an annual decrease of 15.8%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 314.1 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 37.0% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Dissolving wood pulp production value in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 215.7 M $ US, showing a notable 19.0% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 56.9%, with an average annual decline of 24.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dissolving wood pulp from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Dissolving wood pulp export volume from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 274.5 K t, up by 2.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 6.7%, averaging an annual increase of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China and Germany together accounted for 84.5% of total exports in volume, with the remaining flows distributed thinly across other markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Dissolving wood pulp export value from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value was 178.7 M $ US, down 21.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 241.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, China and Germany concentrated 85.0% of total exports in value terms, while the remaining share was distributed among other destinations with smaller individual contributions.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports dissolving wood pulp to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Dissolving wood pulp imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 29.8 K t, representing a 20.4% year-over-year gain. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 230.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 49.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (35.6% of imports in volume), Austria (15.1%), and Finland (12.6%) played leading roles in dissolving wood pulp imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), jointly accounting for 63.2% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign dissolving wood pulp supplies to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 25.5 M $ US, down 6.8% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 27.4 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 309.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017-2020, the United States (50.1% of imports in value terms), Austria (10.0%), and France (8.9%) remained the leading sources in the import structure, with a combined share of 69.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020