Paper and paperboard waste market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Finland contracted sharply from 664 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 380 thousand tonnes in 2021. This steep decline was primarily driven by the digitalization of media and communications, which reduced overall paper consumption and consequently the generation of paper waste. The implementation of the revised Waste Act in July 2021, transposing EU waste directives, introduced stricter producer responsibility obligations and minimum recycling targets, further restructuring waste collection and processing flows.

Market volume saw a partial recovery to 420 thousand tonnes in 2022 and stabilized around 415 thousand tonnes in 2023. This period was marked by the introduction of eco-modulated recycling fees for packaging materials, which financially incentivized the use of easily recyclable paper fibre. Furthermore, the removal of the revenue threshold for packaging producer responsibility from 2024 obligated all companies, regardless of size, to pay recycling fees, creating a more uniform market environment and supporting recycling activities.

Heading into 2024, new packaging regulations required all companies to register with producer responsibility organizations and pay fees based on packaging volumes placed on the market. Concurrently, mandatory separate collection of bio-waste was expanded in built-up areas. These regulatory measures, alongside continued high recovery rates for paper and cardboard, shaped the market's adaptation within a broader EU policy framework aiming for a circular economy.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Finland

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

In 2020, Finland produced 560.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste, marking a gradual reduction of 9.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 0.0%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Finland

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the low of 52.4 K t in 2019 and the high of 100.5 K t in 2020. In 2020, foreign paper and paperboard waste supplies from Finland amounted to 100.5 K t, up by 92.0% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 23.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for exports in kind were Germany (51.1% of exports), Sweden (25.6% of exports), and the Netherlands (9.2% of exports), together accounting for 86.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, paper and paperboard waste exports from Finland increased. In 2020, Finland exported 15 300 K $ US of paper and paperboard waste, which is 17.2% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 060 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for exports in value terms were Germany (50.1% of exports), Sweden (19.0% of exports), and the Netherlands (10.5% of exports), jointly accounting for 79.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Finland

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, paper and paperboard waste imports into Finland amounted to 67.9 K t, indicating a substantial rise of 12.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 60.7 K t, while the maximum value was in 2018 at 112.5 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 46.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 29.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core sources for imports in kind were Estonia (33.9% of imports), Sweden (31.1% of imports), and Russia (20.2% of imports), together taking 85.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, Finland's paper and paperboard waste import volume declined. In 2020, Finland imported a total of 13 583 K $ US of paper and paperboard waste, constituting a decline of 36.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 21 483 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 22.4%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the biggest contributors to imports in value terms were Estonia (32.7% of imports), Russia (21.1% of imports), and Sweden (19.7% of imports), jointly accounting for 73.5% of total flows.

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

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