Paper and paperboard waste market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the ASEAN market for paper and paperboard waste grew from 15.6 million tonnes to 16.3 million tonnes. This increase was supported by the relocation of foreign packaging producers to Vietnam, prompted by the US-China trade war and free trade agreements like CPTPP and EVFTA, which raised domestic production and demand for raw materials. Concurrently, China's import tariff policies on waste paper affected trade flows, leading to greater reliance on imports from other regions.

Market growth accelerated in 2020-2021, reaching 21.4 million tonnes in 2021. The expansion was underpinned by the fact that domestic packaging paper production met up to 84% of local demand, reducing dependence on finished product imports. However, production remained reliant on imported waste paper, as domestic collection covered only about 43% of needs.

After a slight dip to 20.6 million tonnes in 2022, the market rebounded to 22.4 million tonnes in 2023. This recovery was fueled by the normalization of supply chains following the COVID-19 pandemic and sustained e-commerce growth, which increased demand for packaging paper, especially environmentally friendly varieties. In 2024, new investments from companies like Tetra Pak and SCG Packaging, along with stricter environmental regulations, continued to shape the market landscape.

Production paper and paperboard waste in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Paper and paperboard waste production in ASEAN has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, ASEAN produced 9 598 K t of paper and paperboard waste, showing a modest year-over-year rise of 1.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 8.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

ASEAN's paper and paperboard waste production value has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 625 M $ US, marking a significant drop of 20.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 280 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 21.4%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, paper and paperboard waste exports from ASEAN increased in 2020. Exports reached 672 K t, showing a sharp gain of 49.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 27.1%, with a CAGR of -10.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 448 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 49.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of exports in kind was relatively dispersed. China accounted for 21.3% of exports, South Korea for 6.7%, and India for 4.7%, together making up just 32.7% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ASEAN's paper and paperboard waste exports amounted to 114 M $ US, representing a 17.8% increase over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 42%, with a CAGR of -16.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 96 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 227 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 57.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of paper and paperboard waste from ASEAN were spread across many countries. China accounted for 21.5% of exports, South Korea for 8.5%, and India for 6.9%, jointly representing only 36.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign paper and paperboard waste supplies to ASEAN amounted to 9 384 K t, up by 29.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 59.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (28.1% of imports in kind), Japan (12.1%), and the United Kingdom (10.7%) remained the key sources for imports, together accounting for 50.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

ASEAN imported 1 325 M $ US of paper and paperboard waste in 2020, reflecting a 28.0% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.9%, with a CAGR of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 034 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 19.4%.

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

The data for 2017-2020 indicate that imports in value terms of paper and paperboard waste to ASEAN were not heavily concentrated. The United States accounted for 26.9% of imports, Japan for 12.0%, and the United Kingdom for 10.1%, together making up 49.0% of total flows.

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

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