Paper and paperboard waste market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

China's ban on imports of 24 types of waste, including mixed paper, fundamentally altered the Slovak paper waste market from January 2018. With a key export destination closed, Slovak recyclers concentrated on upgrading domestic sorting and processing quality throughout 2018 and 2019. During this adaptation phase, domestic production dropped from 395 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 350 thousand tonnes by 2020, and the estimated market volume contracted from 106.3 thousand tonnes to 80.1 thousand tonnes.

In 2021, market volume jumped to 128.7 thousand tonnes, coinciding with the introduction of stricter sorting rules that excluded beverage cartons and composite packaging from paper collection streams. Enhanced enforcement of producer responsibility obligations also supported this temporary expansion. However, a sustained decline followed from 2022 as firms embraced digitalization and eco-efficient technologies to cut paper usage, aided by tighter environmental controls. Consequently, production fell to 310 thousand tonnes in 2023, with market volume receding to 93.6 thousand tonnes.

The move toward an electronic waste registry, expected in 2023, aimed to modernize tracking, while 2024 legislative changes—such as revised landfill criteria and mandatory environmental reporting—further emphasized proper segregation and recycling standards for paper waste.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Slovakia

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 Slovakia has declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, Slovakia produced 350.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste, representing a 7.9% decrease from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 395.0 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovakia's paper and paperboard waste production value has fallen for three consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 33 979 K $ US, showing a significant 17.0% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 37.6%, with an average annual decline of 14.6%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Slovakia have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 376.9 K t, marking a modest 5.8% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Slovakia's paper and paperboard waste exports in volume terms were Austria, Hungary, and Czechia, which together accounted for 66.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste export value from Slovakia has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports were valued at 36 586 K $ US, indicating a gradual 4.7% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 19.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Slovakia's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms were Austria (32.1% of exports), Hungary (24.1%), and Poland (13.2%). Together, these three markets represented 69.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovakia's paper and paperboard waste imports have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, import volume amounted to 107.0 K t, reflecting a substantial 38.1% gain from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 43%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 63.5 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Slovakia's paper and paperboard waste imports in volume terms were Hungary (42.3% of imports), Czechia (23.2%), and Austria (11.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 76.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 13 328 K $ US, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 25 866 K $ US, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.9 times. In 2020, imports reflected a dramatic 87.2% increase compared to 2019. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2018 at 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Slovakia's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms were Hungary (31.3% of imports), Czechia (24.6%), and Europe, not elsewhere specified (12.9%). Together, these three accounted for 68.7% of total import flows.

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

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