Paper and paperboard waste market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, China's decision to ban imports of recyclable waste, including paper, caused a sharp 70% drop in waste paper prices, directly impacting the Italian market. However, the opening and conversion of new facilities increased estimated production capacity by about 1 million tons, helping to sustain market volume. The following year, the market size contracted to 3.5 million tons as Italian paper and board production fell by 2% amid national economic stagnation.

The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 temporarily reduced the separate collection of paper by an estimated 3.2%, but domestic waste paper production remained high at over 6.8 million tons, driving a surge in market volume to 5.2 million tons. Growth continued into 2021, with the market reaching 6.1 million tons, supported by an 18% increase in recycling sector turnover and rising exports, particularly to India.

From 2022, the market entered a contraction phase. Higher energy and raw material costs, coupled with a drop in paper consumption, led to a collapse in recycled paper prices of up to 69% in September 2022, reducing the market size to 5.4 million tons. Despite a record separate collection of over 3.7 million tons in 2023, domestic consumption of recovered paper fell, and the market volume declined further to 5 million tons, even as exports grew by 45.5% to Asian markets.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy consistently ranked 9th globally in the production of paper and paperboard waste.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Italy produced 6 806 K t of paper and paperboard waste, marking a 34.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 36.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 10.9%. The only decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.6%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy exported 1 851 K t of paper and paperboard waste in 2020, up 1.0% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 1 833 K t, while the peak was in 2018 at 1 912 K t. Exports saw their largest decrease in 2019, falling by 4.1%, and their biggest rise in 2018, increasing by 2.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Indonesia, and Germany were Italy's top markets for paper and paperboard waste exports by volume. China accounted for 20.7% of exports, Indonesia for 19.8%, and Germany for 10.3%, together making up 50.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's paper and paperboard waste exports in monetary terms rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, exports totaled 205.6 M $ US, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, exports fell by 41.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 16.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 205.5 M $ US, with the steepest drop that year at 33.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Indonesia, and Germany were the leading buyers of Italy's paper and paperboard waste by value. China represented 28.0% of exports, Indonesia 16.8%, and Germany 11.1%, collectively accounting for 55.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of paper and paperboard waste by volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 255 K t, a significant 19.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 30%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.2%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 406 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 22.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 11.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Germany, and France were the primary suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Italy by volume. The United States contributed 29.2% of imports, Germany 18.2%, and France 14.7%, together representing 62.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of paper and paperboard waste in value terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 70.7 M $ US, down 21.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 118.6 M $ US. The sharpest decline was in 2019 at 24.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and France were the key sources for Italy's paper and paperboard waste imports by value. The United States made up 33.2% of imports, Germany 19.6%, and France 14.0%, collectively accounting for 66.8% of total import flows.

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

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