Paper and paperboard waste market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the paper and paperboard waste market in the CIS region expanded consistently, with volume rising from 3 250 thousand tons to 3 861 thousand tons. This growth was primarily fueled by rising consumption of paper products, which increased demand for waste paper as a raw material, and by the strengthening of key players in the waste paper sector, such as SFT Group and Perm Pulp and Paper Mill, which expanded their production capacities.

The market continued to grow despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted supplies of high-grade waste paper for sanitary products, because heightened environmental awareness and tighter waste disposal legislation stimulated collection and recycling. In 2021, a raw material shortage of 1-1.5 million tons per year and ongoing plant modernization to accept a wider range of waste paper further pushed market volume upward. The exit of European suppliers of pulp and paper products from Russia in 2022 encouraged domestic collection and processing, supported by extended producer responsibility and a shift from plastic to paper packaging.

In 2023, the market experienced a modest decline to 3 805 thousand tons, yet it saw increased interest from micro and small businesses, higher budget revenues, and improved separate waste collection infrastructure. The ongoing trend toward sustainable production and recycling, along with technological innovations and the involvement of new players, continues to shape the market's development.

Production paper and paperboard waste in CIS

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

Following two consecutive years of growth, paper and paperboard waste production in the CIS declined. In 2020, production reached 3 799 thousand tons, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 18.7%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 3 806 thousand tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 10.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After rising for two years, the value of paper and paperboard waste production in the CIS fell. In 2020, output was valued at 605.6 million US dollars, marking a significant year-on-year decrease of 15.0%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 712.5 million US dollars, and the largest annual increase took place in 2018 at 17.8%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

CIS exports of paper and paperboard waste declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume totaled 254.3 thousand tons, down 16.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 39.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 15.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 438.2 thousand tons, while the largest annual drop occurred in 2019 at 30.5%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Finland, and Germany were the primary destinations for CIS paper and paperboard waste exports in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 48.0% of exports, Finland for 6.7%, and Germany for 4.8%, together representing 59.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste exports from the CIS fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 40 537 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 28.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 44.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 17.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 81 072 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 29.6%. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 10.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Ukraine, Finland, and Germany remained the main buyers of paper and paperboard waste from the CIS in value terms. Ukraine represented 47.6% of exports, Finland 6.1%, and Germany 4.7%, collectively accounting for 58.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of paper and paperboard waste into the CIS showed notable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 148.7 thousand tons, reflecting a modest increase of 5.4% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 151.6 thousand tons, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 6.9%. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 73.8%.

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

The import structure for paper and paperboard waste in the CIS from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a dominant position. Latvia accounted for 5.9% of imports, Poland for 5.4%, and Estonia for 4.1%, together making up just 15.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of paper and paperboard waste imports into the CIS reached 26 124 thousand US dollars, indicating a year-on-year advance of 20.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 32.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.9%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 16.7%, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 32.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, paper and paperboard waste imports into the CIS were supplied from many different markets. Even the largest sources—Latvia, Poland, and Estonia—together represented only 12.0% of total import value, highlighting the market's diversity.

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

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