Moulded or pressed paper pulp articles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the production of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles in Romania increased from 6 288 t to 9 058 t, while the market volume grew from 8 418 t to 11 895 t. This expansion was supported by significant investments in production capacity, notably Pehart Grup's installation of a new high-performance line for tissue and kitchen towel production in 2021, followed by over €10 million invested in advanced manufacturing technologies in 2022. Concurrently, the overall household paper market experienced rising demand, particularly for products like paper handkerchiefs and wet toilet paper, which contributed to higher consumption volumes.

Imports of these paper pulp articles rose from 4 553 t in 2018 to 10 268 t in 2024, while exports expanded from 2 423 t to 9 443 t over the same period, reflecting both stronger domestic uptake and growing international sales. The competitive landscape intensified, with private labels gaining ground in certain subcategories by competing on price, layer count, and design, influencing consumer choices and the product mix available on the market.

Market participants continued to diversify and seek growth avenues. In 2023, Pehart Grup entered the Away-from-Home segment, a new market with growth potential, and carried out energy efficiency investments exceeding €20 million aimed at portfolio diversification and export capacity increase. These moves, alongside a broader consumer shift toward paper towels displacing traditional cloth wipes, indicate an evolving market structure focused on innovation and sustainability.

Production moulded or pressed paper pulp articles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's production of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles was valued at 7 639 K $ US, marking a slight decline of 0.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 6 955 t of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles, showing a modest increase of 0.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%.

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

Exports moulded or pressed paper pulp articles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania's exports of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles reached 3 152 t, up by 55.7% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 42.5%, with a CAGR of 12.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 024 t, which also saw the largest decline of 16.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Romania's exports of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles in kind were Bulgaria (30.9% of exports), Greece (27.3% of exports), and Italy (19.5% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 77.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. In 2020, Romania's export value of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles totalled 4 572 K $ US, indicating a significant gain of 75.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 612 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.6%. This resulted in a 1.8-fold variation between the maximum in 2020 and the minimum in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (33.6% of exports in value terms), Bulgaria (18.9% of exports in value terms), and Greece (16.7% of exports in value terms) accounted for the largest share of Romania's exports in value terms. Together, they comprised 69.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports moulded or pressed paper pulp articles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at approximately 5 949 t, reflecting a solid increase of 13.5% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 32.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia (41.7% of imports in kind), Hungary (13.3% of imports in kind), and Germany (11.5% of imports in kind) continued to be the top suppliers of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles to Romania. Jointly, they accounted for 66.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's import value of moulded or pressed paper pulp articles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 9 244 K $ US, reflecting a substantial increase of 33.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 81.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 22.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia (39.5% of imports in value terms), Hungary (15.2% of imports in value terms), and Germany (14.1% of imports in value terms) led the structure of Romania's imports in value terms. Together, they represented 68.8% of total import flows.

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

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