Paper and paperboard waste market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Brazilian paper and paperboard waste market experienced moderate fluctuations, initially constrained by inadequate collection infrastructure and low consumer awareness. The entry of new private players, such as Mazurky's new corrugated packaging plant, began to expand recycling capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted collection from commercial centers but simultaneously boosted demand for packaging materials, raising the paper recycling rate to 70% and creating a shortage that drove prices higher. This increased demand supported market volume, which reached 5.1 million tons in 2021 as recycling rates remained above 68% and collection of corrugated paper achieved a 91.4% recovery rate.

The market's trajectory shifted from 2022 onward with the introduction of the National Solid Waste Plan (Planares) and Federal Decree 10.936/2022, which established the Recicla+ program to stimulate recycling. Despite these regulatory incentives, major producers like Klabin and Westrock expanded their virgin fiber kraft liner projects, reducing internal demand for recycled paper. In 2023, Klabin inaugurated new virgin pulp machines and temporarily suspended recycled paper units, prioritizing primary fiber. Coupled with government restrictions on waste imports and a 60% drop in waste paper prices due to an oversupply of virgin pulp, the total volume collected by processors fell by approximately one-third, leading to a sharp contraction in market size to 4.3 million tons.

In the following years, the market continued to face challenges as the recycling rate declined to 59.7% in 2024. Legislative discussions around tax exemptions for recycled paper and the impending Decree 12.688/2025—which set progressive targets for recycling and recycled content in packaging—influenced company planning. By 2025, the decree came into force, mandating increasing recovery and recycled content rates through 2040, while the market saw a rise in imports of ready-made recycled paper, reflecting regulatory distortions and ongoing price volatility.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Brazil was one of the world's top producers of paper and paperboard waste from 2018 to 2021, ranking 10th globally by production volume.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

In 2021, Brazil produced 4 890 K t of paper and paperboard waste, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 868 K t. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019 at 3.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2020 at 0.5%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Brazil's paper and paperboard waste exports increased in 2021, reaching 21.7 K t. This represents a significant 24.9% gain compared to 2020. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 51.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 21.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 17.4 K t, with the largest year-on-year drop occurring in 2019 at 46.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Paraguay, China, and Bolivia formed the core of Brazil's paper and paperboard waste exports by volume. Paraguay accounted for 53.3% of exports, China for 16.6%, and Bolivia for 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 84.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Brazil's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms increased in 2021, reaching 2 793 K US dollars. This represents a 9.8% uptick compared to 2020. However, between 2018 and 2021, export value decreased by 74.8%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 36.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 545 K US dollars, with the largest year-on-year drop occurring in 2019 at 63.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Venezuela accounted for the largest share of Brazil's paper and paperboard waste exports by value. Bolivia represented 25.5% of exports, Paraguay 25.0%, and Venezuela 22.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 73.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes in Brazil's paper and paperboard waste imports, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 21.4 K t, while the highest occurred in 2021 at 189.0 K t, representing an 8.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports showed a steep rise of 676.5% compared to the previous year. The largest year-on-year decline was recorded in 2019 at 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the principal source of paper and paperboard waste imports to Brazil, accounting for 77.0% of total imports by volume. Other countries formed a less significant portion of import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 4 221 K US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2021 at 51 793 K US dollars, representing a 12.3-fold difference. In 2021, import value reached a sharp gain of 982.3% compared to the previous year. The largest year-on-year decline was recorded in 2019 at 21.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States remained the leading supplier of paper and paperboard waste to Brazil in value terms, accounting for 81.8% of total imports. The rest was spread across many other countries.

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

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