Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Romania

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for paper and paperboard waste grew sharply in 2019, reaching 573 thousand tonnes, a 30% increase from the previous year. This surge was driven by the European Union's ban on single-use plastics, which boosted demand for paper-based packaging and consequently for waste paper as raw material. The entry of the DS Smith Paper Zărnești plant, a major packaging producer using 100% waste paper, also signalled new industrial demand. However, the market contracted by 20% in 2020 to 456 thousand tonnes as exports of waste to neighboring countries reduced domestic supply, and several collection centers closed due to operational losses.

Market volume recovered slightly to 471 thousand tonnes in 2021 and stabilized around 467 thousand tonnes in 2022. High inflation, fuel price hikes, and acute labor shortages during this period constrained growth. While e-commerce fueled record demand for packaging, rising exports of waste continued to limit the material available for domestic processors, balancing the market.

The market volume fell to 410 thousand tonnes in 2023, a 12% drop from the previous year. Despite a revival in packaging demand and strong interest in eco-friendly materials, waste collectors faced operational difficulties due to new mandatory financial guarantee requirements. Simultaneously, increasing national and EU recycling targets put further regulatory pressure on the waste management system.

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 Romania
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Romania 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 Romania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Romania 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, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Romania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Romania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Romania 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 Romania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Romania 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, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Romania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Romania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Romania 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 Romania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Romania 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, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Romania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Romania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Romania 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 Romania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Romania 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, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Romania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Romania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Romania 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, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Romania produced 550.0 thousand tonnes of paper and paperboard waste in 2020, marking a moderate 8.3% decrease from 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 500.0 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 17.6%. The following year, 2019, recorded the largest increase of 20.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(17.6%)	20.0%	(8.3%)	(3.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of paper and paperboard waste in Romania was valued at 80.8 million US dollars, representing a substantial 17.7% decrease compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 6.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 23.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.3%)	6.8%	(17.7%)	(8.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, paper and paperboard waste exports from Romania increased in 2020. The export volume reached 147.5 thousand tonnes, showing a significant 18.4% gain compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 124.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 22.2% in 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 18.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(22.2%)	(11.4%)	18.4%	(6.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Ukraine, and Turkey remained the top buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Romania. Hungary accounted for 49.0% of exports in kind, Ukraine for 13.2%, and Turkey for 12.4%, collectively representing 74.6% 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 Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year reduction, paper and paperboard waste shipments from Romania increased in 2020. Romania exported 21 676 thousand US dollars worth of paper and paperboard waste, reflecting a measured 6.4% gain compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 379 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 21.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 31.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(18.1%)	(21.1%)	6.4%	(11.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for paper and paperboard waste exports from Romania in value terms were Hungary, Ukraine, and Turkey. Together, they accounted for 69.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment for paper and paperboard waste imports into Romania. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies amounted to 53.5 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 45.0% drop compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 97.3 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 209.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	209.8%	18.3%	(45.0%)	26.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria—together accounted for 73.2% of total imports in kind of paper and paperboard waste to Romania.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized the market performance during this period. Imports varied from a low in 2017 to a high in 2019, with a 2.5-fold difference. In 2020, Romania imported 8 319 thousand US dollars of paper and paperboard waste, marking a steep 38.0% decline from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 427 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 134.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	134.2%	4.7%	(38.0%)	15.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Bulgaria remained the key directions for imports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 33.0% of imports, Poland for 18.0%, and Bulgaria for 13.7%, collectively representing 64.7% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io