Paper and paperboard waste market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Kuwait remained stable around 75-78 thousand tons in 2018-2019, constrained by limited recycling capacity with only two paper recycling plants and several unlicensed operators controlling prices. This changed dramatically in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic froze production and marketing activities, leading to a sharp drop in exports and pushing the market volume up to 129 thousand tons as more waste stayed within the country.

After the pandemic spike, the market volume gradually declined to 126 thousand tons in 2021 and 124 thousand tons in 2022. This correction occurred amid reported chaos in the recycling sector, with unorganized storage of cardboard and a lack of approved plants hindering efficient processing. At the same time, growing interest in the circular economy and individual environmental initiatives highlighted the potential for better waste management.

Regulatory efforts intensified in 2023 with Ministerial Resolution No. 104 clarifying the ban on export and re-export of cardboard waste, alongside new municipal waste management rules. In 2024, Kuwait further advanced its recycling framework through a green low-carbon waste recycling agreement with China and discussions with international companies to enter the market, signaling a push toward more organized and investment-friendly recycling infrastructure.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Kuwait

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, Kuwait produced 170.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Kuwait's paper and paperboard waste production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 26 713 K $ US, marking a 1.9% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 9.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 29 002 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kuwait in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Kuwait

Exports in kind, K t

Kuwait's volume of paper and paperboard waste exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 41.3 K t, representing a dramatic loss of 55.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 66.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and Vietnam stood out as the main markets for Kuwait's paper and paperboard waste exports in kind. India accounted for 65.8% of exports, Thailand for 7.7%, and Vietnam for 6.8%, together representing 80.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports in Kuwait declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 6 484 K $ US, reflecting a decrease of 56.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 63.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 28.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates made the biggest contribution to Kuwait's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms. India accounted for 66.7% of exports, Thailand for 7.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 6.9%, jointly accounting for 81.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Kuwait

Imports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste shipments to Kuwait from abroad declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 0.2 K t, which is 82.2% lower year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 97.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 69.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Free Zones, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea were the largest suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Kuwait in kind. Free Zones accounted for 56.5% of imports, Saudi Arabia for 16.6%, and South Korea for 12.2%, together forming 85.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Kuwait's volume of paper and paperboard waste imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 39 K $ US, showing a steep decline of 88.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 98.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 76.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Free Zones, and India formed the key group of partners for Kuwait's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 61.6% of imports, Free Zones for 9.4%, and India for 6.7%, jointly representing 77.7% of total flows.

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

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