Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Germany

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Germany saw initial growth, reaching 19.4 million tonnes in 2019 before a slight contraction to 19.2 million tonnes in 2020.

A pronounced downward trend followed from 2021 to 2023, with the market volume dropping to 18.1 million tonnes and then to 15.3 million tonnes. This decline was accompanied by a significant drop in domestic paper production, which had fallen by 4.1 million tonnes since 2018, reducing demand for waste feedstock. Soaring energy, raw material, and transport costs, combined with political uncertainty, further pressured the industry in 2023, leading to a sharp decrease in consumption.

In 2024, the sector faced multiple machine shutdowns and plant closures, while costs for pulp, recovered paper, and energy remained elevated. The revised EU Waste Shipment Regulation, set to take effect in 2027, and the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation introduced additional regulatory pressures, although paper and board production showed some signs of recovery in the first half of the year.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Germany
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paper and paperboard waste in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany was one of the world's leading producers of paper and paperboard waste from 2017 to 2020, ranking fourth globally by production volume.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Germany produced 16 900 K t of paper and paperboard waste, marking a slight decline of 1.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 17 200 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.9%	-	(1.7%)	3.5%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's paper and paperboard waste production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 800 M $ US, representing a 14.3% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 11.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.9%)	(15.6%)	(14.3%)	(11.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's paper and paperboard waste exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 055 K t, down 14.7% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 28%, with an annualized rate of decline of 10.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.0%)	(11.2%)	(14.7%)	(10.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and France were the primary buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Germany. The Netherlands accounted for 35.8% of exports in kind, Austria for 17.0%, and France for 15.5%, collectively representing 68.4% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste shipments from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 218.9 M $ US of paper and paperboard waste, a reduction of 25.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 54.8%, with a compound annual decline of 23.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(19.1%)	(25.0%)	(25.6%)	(23.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and France remained the main markets for Germany's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms. The Netherlands held a 32.0% share, Austria 19.4%, and France 13.9%, together accounting for 65.3% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, Germany's paper and paperboard waste imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 369 K t, a measured loss of 5.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.8%, with a compound annual decline of 1.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 638 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.4%	0.7%	(5.8%)	(1.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and France were the primary suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Germany. The Netherlands contributed 27.3% of imports in kind, Poland 15.2%, and France 10.8%, jointly accounting for 53.3% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of paper and paperboard waste to Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 594.1 M $ US, a solid decrease of 16.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 31.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 11.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.4%)	(13.7%)	(16.1%)	(11.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and France led as suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Germany in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 32.9% of imports in value, Poland for 12.8%, and France for 10.5%, with their combined share reaching 56.2% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io