Paper and paperboard waste market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Austria experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a stable level around 2.6 million metric tons in 2018 and 2019, the market expanded significantly to 2.85 million metric tons in 2020 and further to 3.12 million metric tons in 2021. This growth phase was followed by a contraction, with the market volume decreasing to 2.93 million metric tons in 2022 and then to 2.56 million metric tons in 2023.

In 2024, imports of paper and paperboard waste rose to 1.61 million metric tons, while exports fell to 312 thousand metric tons. This occurred amid industry reports that domestic collection of waste paper cannot meet local demand, leading to increased reliance on imported materials. Furthermore, a 21% decline in paper production in Germany during 2024 added pressure to the regional supply chain. The upcoming revised EU Waste Shipment Regulation, set to take effect in May 2027, and broader EU directives promoting higher recycling quotas within a circular economy have begun shaping market logistics and demand for recycled fiber.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Austria was among the world's leading producers of paper and paperboard waste from 2017 to 2020, ranking 22nd globally by production volume.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Austria produced 1 580 K t of paper and paperboard waste, marking a significant 12.2% increase from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 1 408 K t, with a 4.0% decline that year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 11.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's paper and paperboard waste production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 213.9 M $ US, showing little change from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 255.9 M $ US, which saw a 5.5% increase. However, production dropped sharply in 2019 by 16.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Austria declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 236 K t, a substantial 21.3% decrease from 2019. The peak was in 2018 at 348 K t, which experienced a modest 1.8% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 30.9%, resulting in an annualized decline rate of 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the dominant market for Austria's paper and paperboard waste exports in volume terms, accounting for 71.1% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste deliveries from Austria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 32.0 M $ US, down 29.9% year-on-year. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 60.7 M $ US, which saw a 3.5% increase. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 45.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Austria's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms were Germany (67.9% of exports), Slovenia (11.0%), and Italy (5.7%), together accounting for 84.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Austria's paper and paperboard waste imports stood at 1 502 K t, a slight 1.6% increase from 2019. Imports dipped marginally in 2019 by 0.1%, but surged in 2018 by 22.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 24.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Austria in volume terms were Germany (33.3% of imports), Czechia (20.5%), and Italy (12.1%), collectively forming 65.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Austria's paper and paperboard waste imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 193.9 M $ US, a solid 12.9% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 256.9 M $ US, which saw a 12.3% increase. However, imports fell sharply in 2019 by 13.4%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany (34.8% of imports in value terms), Czechia (17.4%), and Italy (10.7%) remained the key partners for Austria's paper and paperboard waste imports, together accounting for 62.9% of total flows.

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

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