Packing containers of paper or paperboard market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Production of paper and paperboard packing containers in Germany stood at 322.2 thousand tons in 2018. The following year, the enactment of the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) introduced mandatory registration and take-back obligations for packagers, leading to a production decrease to 309.3 thousand tons in 2019. In 2020, an amendment to VerpackG raised the mandatory recycling quota for paper and cardboard from 80% to 90%, which helped stabilize output at 309.5 thousand tons and supported a modest market volume growth to 314.0 thousand tons.

Production rebounded to 327.0 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 338.7 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by the ban on lightweight plastic bags effective January 2022 and the simultaneous introduction of a levy on non-recycled plastic packaging. These measures boosted demand for paper-based alternatives, expanding the domestic market volume to 333.1 thousand tons in 2022 despite falling imports.

Exports surged to 132.6 thousand tons in 2023 and reached 184.6 thousand tons in 2024, contributing to a sharp drop in domestic market volume to 179.0 thousand tons in 2024, even as imports rose. Production declined to 296.1 thousand tons in 2024. During this period, the deposit system was extended to single-use plastic bottles containing milk or yogurt, and a federal funding call was launched to expand high-speed paper recycling plants to meet the 90% recycling target. Companies also began preparing for the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) set to take effect in 2026.

Production packing containers of paper or paperboard in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of paper or paperboard packing containers was valued at 558.6 million US dollars, showing broad stability compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 587.6 million US dollars, which represented a 9.3% increase. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 5.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 309.5 thousand tonnes of paper or paperboard packing containers, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. The peak production was in 2018 at 322.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.4% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 4.0% drop.

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

Exports packing containers of paper or paperboard from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of paper or paperboard packing containers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 40 207 tonnes, a 6.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 5.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.9%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 43 821 tonnes, which saw a 2.8% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany traded paper or paperboard packing containers with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—Austria, Poland, and Italy—together accounted for only 38.9% of total exports in volume terms.

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 paper or paperboard packing containers in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 159.6 million US dollars, a robust reduction of 10.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.7%. The peak value was in 2018 at 183.2 million US dollars, which represented a 2.6% increase.

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

An analysis of Germany's exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Austria (11.7% of exports), Italy (11.2%), and Switzerland (9.9%) together accounted for only 32.8% of total flows, with the remaining 67.2% going to other partners.

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

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

Imports packing containers of paper or paperboard to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of paper or paperboard packing containers increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 44 697 tonnes, staying relatively flat compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

An analysis of Germany's imports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a wide distribution across many markets. Italy (17.7% of imports), China (15.4%), and Poland (15.4%) together represented only 48.5% of total flows, while the remaining 51.5% came from other partners.

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

After a two-year increase, Germany's imports of paper or paperboard packing containers in value terms declined. In 2020, imports were approximately 134.7 million US dollars, corresponding to a controlled decline of 5.5% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 142.6 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's supplier portfolio for paper or paperboard packing containers was broad. China (22.7% of imports in value terms), Italy (12.5%), and Czechia (11.2%) together contributed only 46.5% of total imports, with many other countries holding smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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