Paper and paperboard waste market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Belgium expanded sharply in 2019, with volume reaching 1 481 thousand tons, a 67% increase from the previous year. This surge was primarily driven by a 6.9% rise in packaging placed on the Belgian market, where paper and cardboard accounted for 39% of total packaging waste. Concurrently, China's restrictive policy on waste imports led to stockpiling of recovered paper in Europe, redirecting global flows and tightening recycling capacity.

After peaking, market volume adjusted downward to 1 328 thousand tons in 2021 and stabilized around this level through 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic boosted demand for cardboard packaging due to lockdowns and e-commerce growth, supporting volumes in 2020. Subsequent years were influenced by global factors, including the war in Ukraine and soaring energy costs, which increased production expenses and affected trade. Legislative measures, such as France's decree facilitating the end-of-waste status for recovered paper, aimed to improve recycling efficiency. By 2023, the distribution of dedicated collection containers in Belgian communes helped maintain collection rates, with the paper and cardboard recycling rate reaching 84%.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Belgium ranked as the 23rd largest producer of paper and paperboard waste during the period from 2017 to 2020.

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 Belgium rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, Belgium produced 1 581 K t of paper and paperboard waste, representing a 1.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 44.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 42.4%, while the smallest change was in 2018, with no significant decline.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of paper and paperboard waste in Belgium was valued at 183.0 M $ US, reflecting a slight decrease of 5.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 8.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 176.5 M $ US. The largest drop occurred in 2018, at 11.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 10.1%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Exported volumes of paper and paperboard waste from Belgium decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 974 K t, showing a moderate decline of 5.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 17.8%, with a compound annual decline rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 227 K t. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, at 16.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (accounting for 52.8% of exports in kind), Germany (15.8%), and China (8.8%) formed the core of Belgium's paper and paperboard waste exports, together representing 77.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Belgium declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 112.8 M $ US, showing a significant drop of 12.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 47.9%, with a compound annual decline rate (CAGR) of 19.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands (48.8% of exports in value terms), Germany (18.4%), and China (12.5%) remained the primary markets for Belgium's paper and paperboard waste exports, jointly accounting for 79.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's paper and paperboard waste import volume fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 869 K t, marking a gradual reduction of 8.7% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 020 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 17.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, France (34.2% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (31.2%), and the United Kingdom (14.6%) led as the top suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Belgium, with their combined share reaching 80.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of paper and paperboard waste imports into Belgium declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 79.1 M $ US, amounting to a substantial fall of 21.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 44.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (35.0% of imports in value terms), the Netherlands (32.2%), and Germany (17.0%) formed the main group of sources for paper and paperboard waste imports into Belgium, with a combined share of 84.3% of total import value.

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

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