Dissolving wood pulp market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The dissolving wood pulp market in Japan began the period at 190.7 thousand tons in 2018, followed by a decline to 159.8 thousand tons in 2019 and 155.9 thousand tons in 2020. During these years, the Clean Wood Act mandated due diligence on timber sourcing from 2018 onward, which reinforced legal and sustainable wood procurement. Technological advancements in pulp manufacturing and increasing consumer environmental awareness were also noted, even as overall market volume contracted.

Market volume further decreased to 145.2 thousand tons in 2021, while the Clean Wood Act measures became entrenched and the industry explored biorefinery expansions for dissolving wood pulp. A turnaround began in 2022, with volume rising to 151.6 thousand tons, driven by the publication of enhanced due diligence guidelines, revised procurement policies mandating sustainable forest sources, and the implementation of the Act on Promotion of Use of Wood. These regulatory steps accelerated sustainability efforts across the pulp and timber sectors.

The market surged to 178.1 thousand tons in 2023, supported by rising consumer demand for FSC-certified and bio-based materials. Major producers such as Nippon Paper and Oji Paper contributed to this growth through investments in greenfield facilities and renewable energy, aligning with the broader shift toward sustainable production.

Production dissolving wood pulp in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Japan ranked as the 13th largest producer of dissolving wood pulp from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of dissolving wood pulp, 2018-2021

World map of production of dissolving wood pulp, 2018-2021

In 2021, Japan produced 158.0 K t of dissolving wood pulp, marking a controlled decline of 9.7% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 175.0 K t, with the largest increase of 4.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports dissolving wood pulp from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

Japan exported 108.4 K t of dissolving wood pulp in 2021, showing a slight increase of 0.7% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 3.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 125.8 K t, which saw the largest increase of 19.9%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, China and Asia, not elsewhere specified, dominated Japan's dissolving wood pulp exports in kind, together accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's dissolving wood pulp export value reached 100.6 M $ US, a significant increase of 47.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 68.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 31.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China and Asia, not elsewhere specified, clearly dominated as the main buyers of dissolving wood pulp from Japan, jointly representing 99.6% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports dissolving wood pulp to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decrease, Japan's dissolving wood pulp import volume increased in 2021, totaling 95.6 K t, which reflects an 8.0% year-over-year gain. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 88.5 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, South Africa, and Norway were the primary sources for Japan's dissolving wood pulp imports in kind, accounting for 67.9%, 11.4%, and 8.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 87.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Japan's dissolving wood pulp imports increased in 2021, with a value of 134.8 M $ US, indicating a robust rise of 11.0% relative to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 27.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 121.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States remained the key source for dissolving wood pulp imports to Japan, accounting for 73.3% of total imports in value terms, while other destinations played a much smaller role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021