Paper and paperboard waste market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Chile decreased from 322 thousand tons in 2018 to 213 thousand tons in 2020. During this period, the industry operated with high capacity utilization in anticipation of the Extended Producer Responsibility Law (Ley REP), which was expected to mandate packaging recycling. The lack of specific regulatory changes in 2019 slowed activity, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted economic operations, reducing available waste for recycling.

In 2021, market volume recovered to 261 thousand tons due to exceptional availability of recyclable material, linked to pandemic-related changes in consumption and liquidity. The Ley REP came into force in September 2022, requiring producers to ensure packaging recycling and supporting companies like Sorepa in collecting waste and producing new packaging. Market volume then declined to 230 thousand tons by 2023.

By 2024, statistics indicated that paper and cardboard maintained the highest valorization rate at 48.9%, though a significant portion of collection occurred through informal channels. The industry continued to face infrastructure and funding challenges for expanding recycling plant capacity.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

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

Paper and paperboard waste production in Chile increased in 2021 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 226.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste last year, marking a sharp 30.8% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 36.7%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 14.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 172.8 K t, with the largest year-on-year drop of 38.7% occurring that same year.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Chile

Exports in kind, t

Chile's exports of paper and paperboard waste declined for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country shipped 25 106 t of these materials abroad last year, representing a robust 21.2% decrease compared to 2020. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 45.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -18.2%.

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

From 2018 through 2021, Argentina, India, and Guatemala consistently remained the three largest markets for Chile's paper and paperboard waste exports in volume terms. Together, these countries accounted for 75.3% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Chile's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms increased in 2021 after two years of decline. The country exported 5 701 K $ US worth of these materials last year, up 4.1% from 2020. However, over the broader 2018-2021 timeframe, export values decreased by 47.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 19.5%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 5 477 K $ US, while the largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019 with a 29.4% decrease.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina, India, and Guatemala were the most significant contributors to Chile's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms. Argentina accounted for 47.7% of export value, followed by India at 15.4% and Guatemala at 13.6%. Collectively, these three markets represented 76.7% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Chile

Imports in kind, t

Chile's imports of paper and paperboard waste showed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, representing a 6.7-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Chile imported 60 011 t of paper and paperboard waste, marking a strong 16.7% decline compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 72 057 t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 with a substantial 366.6% growth.

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

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, the United States, Guatemala, and El Salvador formed the core group of suppliers for Chile's paper and paperboard waste imports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 62.0% of import volumes, followed by Guatemala at 10.5% and El Salvador at 4.6%. Together, these three countries represented 77.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Chile's imports of paper and paperboard waste in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country imported 17 230 K $ US worth of these materials last year, representing a strong 12.8% increase compared to 2020. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, import values surged by 455.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 77.1%.

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

From 2018 through 2021, the United States, Guatemala, and Nicaragua played the leading roles in Chile's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 68.0% of import value, followed by Guatemala at 8.4% and Nicaragua at 3.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.9% of total import flows during this period.

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

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