Paper and paperboard waste market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Norway experienced moderate fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. The market volume remained stable at around 170 thousand tons in 2018 and 2019, decreased to 163 thousand tons in 2020, and recovered to 176 thousand tons in 2021. Throughout this period, the collection system relied on municipalities and inter-municipal companies managing household waste, with paper and cardboard being sorted for recycling into new paper products. Quality requirements for returned paper, such as limits on moisture and contaminants, were in place to maintain material value for paper mills.

From 2022, the market entered a phase of rapid expansion, with volume surging to 217 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 276 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was directly driven by regulatory changes adopted in May 2022 to implement the EU's revised packaging directive, which set binding targets for increased material recovery and reduced landfilling. The new rules introduced source-separation requirements for paper and cardboard, and the total amount of waste sent for material recovery in Norway rose to 4.4 million tons in 2022, with paper and cardboard constituting a major share, reflecting heightened collection efforts. In 2023, the Norwegian Environment Agency proposed further sorting requirements to meet EU recycling targets, continuing the regulatory push.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Norway

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

In 2021, Norway produced 533.0 thousand tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 11.8%, which equates to an annualized decline of 4.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 533.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-over-year decline of 7.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Norway

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, Norway's exports of paper and paperboard waste increased in 2021. Exports totaled 413.9 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate rise of 6.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 390.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 8.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany consistently remained the main destinations for Norway's paper and paperboard waste exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 42.2% of exports, Sweden for 18.3%, and Germany for 14.6%, together representing 75.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020, while the highest was in 2021, reflecting a 2.3-fold gap between these years. In 2021, paper and paperboard waste deliveries from Norway amounted to 72 788 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp gain of 126.1% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 32 199 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 25.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for Norway's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms were the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany. The Netherlands accounted for 36.3% of exports, Sweden for 21.4%, and Germany for 13.8%, jointly representing 71.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Norway

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2021, showing a 2.8-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Norway's imports of paper and paperboard waste amounted to 56.3 thousand tonnes, marking an intense rise of 177.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 20.3 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 19.3% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, two countries—Sweden and the United Kingdom—concentrated the majority of Norway's paper and paperboard waste imports in volume terms, with a combined share of 99.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2021, showing a 4.2-fold amplitude between these years. In 2021, Norway imported paper and paperboard waste valued at 2 422 thousand US dollars, which represents a 323.1% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 422 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 35.1% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Norway's dependence on Sweden was pronounced in value terms for paper and paperboard waste imports, with Sweden accounting for 90.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021