Paper and paperboard waste market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Colombia experienced a decline from 1 022.8 тыс. т in 2018 to 811.1 тыс. т in 2020. During this period, regulatory groundwork was laid with the modification of Resolution 1407 of 2018 by Resolution 1342 of 2020, which mandated producers to manage environmental waste from packaging materials, including paper and cardboard, setting the stage for future recovery efforts.

Following the 2020 low, the market volume recovered to 830.1 тыс. т in 2021 and further to 894.6 тыс. т in 2022. This growth aligned with industry reports highlighting that 68% of pulp for paper in Colombia originated from recycled paper waste, underscoring the sector's deep reliance on recovered materials. The paper industry's significant economic contribution, accounting for 4.6% of the national industrial GDP and over 9,000 jobs, provided a stable foundation for waste collection and processing activities. In 2023, the market volume adjusted to 851.7 тыс. т while sectoral reports confirmed the continuity of waste management and recovery operations for paper and cardboard materials.

The regulatory framework continued to evolve in 2024 with Resolution 803 introducing differentiated targets for single-use plastic packaging while maintaining goals for paper and cardboard. Concurrently, Smurfit Kappa Colombia solidified its position as the country's largest paper and cardboard recycler, collecting over 200 000 tons annually and planning a biomass boiler investment to enhance energy efficiency from waste. These developments, alongside pilot projects for collective packaging waste management and municipal campaigns for improved waste separation, point to sustained efforts to streamline the waste management ecosystem and bolster the circular economy for paper-based materials.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Colombia

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

Colombia's paper and paperboard waste production fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 687.0 K t, marking a moderate 8.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 16.1%, with an average annual decline of 5.7%. The highest production level was in 2018 at 887.8 K t, which saw an 8.4% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 15.2% drop.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

Colombia's exports of paper and paperboard waste decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 0.4 K t, a sharp 19.6% fall compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 53.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 22.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador, Mexico, and Belgium were the primary destinations for Colombia's paper and paperboard waste exports by volume. Ecuador accounted for 45.5% of exports, Mexico for 21.5%, and Belgium for 20.7%, together making up 87.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. The highest value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest was in 2020, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Colombia's paper and paperboard waste exports were valued at 46 K $ US, a sharp 72.4% drop from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 124.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador, Mexico, and Belgium were the top markets for Colombia's paper and paperboard waste exports by value. Ecuador represented 39.0% of export value, Mexico 34.9%, and Belgium 12.9%, collectively accounting for 86.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

After increasing for two years, Colombia's imports of paper and paperboard waste declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 124.5 K t, down 26.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 21.6%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 168.9 K t, with the largest increase in 2018 at 32.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Dominican Republic, and Peru were the main sources of Colombia's paper and paperboard waste imports by volume. The United States contributed 63.4% of imports, the Dominican Republic 9.2%, and Peru 5.2%, together representing 77.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, Colombia's paper and paperboard waste imports decreased. In 2020, imports were valued at 32 491 K $ US, a 30.3% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 13.6%, averaging an annual increase of 4.3%. The highest value was in 2019 at 46 638 K $ US, with the largest increase in 2018 at 39.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Dominican Republic, and Peru were the leading sources for Colombia's paper and paperboard waste imports by value. The United States accounted for 67.8% of import value, the Dominican Republic for 8.5%, and Peru for 6.0%, together comprising 82.3% of total import flows.

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

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