Packing containers of paper or paperboard market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard packing containers in the Netherlands opened the period with a volume of 256 thousand tons in 2018, supported by growing demand for such packaging and ongoing market consolidation through acquisitions like that of Uniek Verpakkingen. By 2019, the physical market volume halved to 129 thousand tons, while its value rose to $279 million, partly influenced by rising transport costs and the introduction of a truck toll, which increased costs and prices. The volume decline continued to 115 thousand tons in 2020, pressured by a surplus of carton production in Europe dampening returns and digitalization reducing demand for certain paper-based products.

A significant drop in domestic production to 78 thousand tons occurred in 2021 following the closure of several paper mills in the Netherlands, which reduced output by nearly 23%. Concurrently, the implementation of stricter EU recycling and packaging waste targets contributed to a rise in the market's value to $312 million. The market rebounded in 2022, with production reaching 92 thousand tons and value climbing to $373 million, driven by increased use of carton packaging in e-commerce, which exceeded 400 million kilograms nationally, and investments such as Berlin Packaging's new distribution center in Roosendaal. However, 2023 saw another production decline to 78 thousand tons after the closure of the historic De Hoop paper mill in Eerbeek, even as the broader European paper and board market showed signs of recovery.

In 2024, production increased to 95 thousand tons and market value surged to $423 million. This growth was fueled by rising demand for packaging paper and board, leading to a 6.5% production increase, and the enactment of new European packaging legislation imposing stricter waste management and recycling requirements. The market is expected to remain stable in 2025, with continued focus on sustainability and circular economy initiatives within the packaging industry.

Production packing containers of paper or paperboard in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the Netherlands, the production value of paper or paperboard packing containers reached 248.7 million US dollars in 2021, marking a 20.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 13.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 206.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 7.3% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Production of paper or paperboard packing containers in the Netherlands has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, output stood at 77.7 thousand tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 16.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 66.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -30.8%.

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

Exports packing containers of paper or paperboard from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2021, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, the Netherlands exported 16,940 tonnes of paper or paperboard packing containers, up 15.7% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 3.0%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 91.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium were the key export partners for paper or paperboard packing containers from the Netherlands, accounting for 44.1%, 20.9%, and 12.8% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export volumes of paper or paperboard packing containers from the Netherlands have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports were valued at 62.3 million US dollars, showing a modest year-on-year growth of 8.5%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 11.7%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 3.8%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium remained the primary destinations for exports in value terms, with shares of 31.2%, 25.3%, and 13.2%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 69.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports packing containers of paper or paperboard to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, the Netherlands imported 57,673 tonnes of foreign paper or paperboard packing containers, a sharp increase of 57.9% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 93.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 24.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Belgium, and Hungary were the main suppliers of paper or paperboard packing containers to the Netherlands, contributing 43.9%, 14.5%, and 10.5% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 69.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, imports of paper or paperboard packing containers into the Netherlands totaled 125.7 million US dollars, indicating a sharp increase of 28.3% over the past year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 59.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 14.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 44.4% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Belgium, and China formed the main group of sources for imports in value terms, with shares of 43.2%, 15.8%, and 10.9%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 70.0% of total import flows.

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

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