Paper and paperboard waste market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Northern Europe rose to 5 743 thousand tons in 2019, aided by reduced export flows, before contracting to 4 736 thousand tons in 2020. The decline was driven by pandemic-induced disruptions to waste collection and trade, combined with strikes at Finnish UPM paper mills that created paper shortages and raised production costs.

A partial recovery to 4 921 thousand tons occurred in 2021, supported by record CTMP pulp production at Waggeryd Cell and sustained demand for packaging paper. However, the market shrank again to 4 698 thousand tons in 2022 as rising raw material prices and the implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive encouraged a shift toward reusable packaging, potentially reducing waste generation from single-use sources.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 4 639 thousand tons, with ongoing demand for packaging paper from e‑commerce and tighter EU packaging recycling rules providing underlying support. New producer responsibility and packaging waste reporting regulations that took effect in Sweden in 2024 are strengthening traceability and recycling requirements, shaping the market's operating environment.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Northern Europe

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

Paper and paperboard waste production in Northern Europe has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 959 thousand tonnes, marking a 9.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste production in Northern Europe has dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 270 million US dollars, representing a 15.8% year-on-year loss. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 36.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.0%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of paper and paperboard waste from Northern Europe have fallen for the third year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 737 thousand tonnes, down 2.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 19.2%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and the Netherlands were the core destinations for exports in kind. China accounted for 25.7% of exports, India for 14.1%, and the Netherlands for 13.2%, together making up 53.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste exports from Northern Europe has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 731 million US dollars, a 9.6% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 40.4%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 15.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, India, and Germany stood out as the main markets for exports in value terms. China represented 27.5% of export value, India 14.2%, and Germany 11.0%, together accounting for 52.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of paper and paperboard waste into Northern Europe have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 514 thousand tonnes, reflecting a significant 19.8% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 26.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 742 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in kind was quite broad. Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands were the top sources, with Norway accounting for 28.4% of imports, Germany for 7.1%, and the Netherlands for 6.7%. Together, they represented 42.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of paper and paperboard waste into Northern Europe have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 117 million US dollars, down 5.0% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 18.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The peak value was in 2018 at 144 million US dollars, which saw a slight increase of 0.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 14.3%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. Norway, Germany, and the United States were the leading partners, with Norway accounting for 20.7% of import value, Germany for 9.3%, and the United States for 6.8%. Together, they made up only 36.9% of total flows, while the remaining 63.1% was distributed among numerous smaller countries.

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

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