Paper and paperboard waste market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Eastern Europe expanded from 8.1 million tons in 2018 to 8.4 million tons in 2020. This initial growth was supported by foreign paper and board producers acquiring local plants, which increased regional production capacity. In 2019, the introduction of a mandatory 35% recycling rate for corrugated cardboard in Russia further stimulated waste collection and processing activities.

Market volume surged to 9.3 million tons in 2021, fueled by rising demand for paper packaging and a broader industry shift toward higher recycled fiber content in paper production. However, in 2022 the EU's ban on imports of wood pulp and paper from Russia disrupted established trade flows, causing the market to contract to 8.7 million tons. By 2023, new EU sanctions were partially offset by a significant 25.4% increase in Russian pulp and paper exports to China, leading to market stabilization at 8.6 million tons.

For 2024, industry developments indicate a continued focus on recycling, with the waste paper recovery rate in Russia reaching 27%. The market also saw the acquisition of a coated packaging board mill by the woodworking holding Sveza in September 2024.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

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

Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, has seen paper and paperboard waste production rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 967 K t of this waste, showing minimal change from 2019 levels. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.9%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste production in Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, has fallen for three consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 1 230 M $ US, marking an 11.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, production dropped by 26.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, have declined for the second straight year. In 2020, the region exported 2 951 K t, a slight 1.0% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 7.2%, averaging 2.4% growth per year. The peak was in 2018 at 3 047 K t, with the largest decrease of 2.2% occurring in 2019 and the biggest rise of 10.7% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands were the top contributors to exports in kind, accounting for 34.4%, 16.7%, and 3.6% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 54.7% of all export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste exports from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, has decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 364.2 M $ US, down 12.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 26.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 502.4 M $ US, while the largest drop of 17.4% happened in 2019 and the biggest increase of 1.1% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands formed the core group of partners for exports in value terms, representing 32.8%, 17.3%, and 2.9% of the total, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 52.9% of all export flows from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, imported 1 423 K t of paper and paperboard waste in 2020, a modest 0.7% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports rose by 6.2%, averaging 2.0% growth annually. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 1 524 K t, with the largest decline of 7.3% in 2019 and the highest increase of 13.8% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The import structure in kind from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diverse set of partners. Germany, Sweden, and Croatia contributed 5.6%, 4.1%, and 3.3% of imports, respectively, totaling just 13.0% of all flows. The remaining 87.0% was distributed across numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste imports into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 195.7 M $ US, reflecting a small 2.7% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.5%, equating to an average annual reduction of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in value terms were spread widely across markets. Germany, Croatia, and Latvia accounted for 5.1%, 3.4%, and 3.1% of the total, respectively, together making up only 11.6% of all import flows into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020