Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in South-eastern Asia

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"South-eastern Asia" region includes following countries:

Brunei Darussalam

Myanmar

Cambodia

Indonesia

Laos

Malaysia

the Philippines

Timor-Leste

Singapore

Vietnam

Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in South-eastern Asia expanded from 15 607 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 21 438 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth was primarily fueled by a sharp rise in e-commerce activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly increased the generation of packaging waste. In Singapore, the Circuit Breaker period in 2019 led to a spike in paper and cardboard waste from online shopping, boosting the available supply. Subsequent years saw high freight costs and global oversupply of recycled materials reduce the export of waste for recycling, making more material available domestically and supporting market volume.

A contraction to 20 555 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022, as high collection costs, freight expenses, and low commodity prices for recycled materials pressured recycling operations. These economic challenges reduced the profitability of waste processing and contributed to a decline in recycling rates, which alongside broader operational strains in waste management, tempered overall market volume.

Recovery followed in 2023, with the market volume reaching 22 402 thousand tonnes. Continued high generation of paper waste—exceeding 1.25 million tonnes annually in Singapore—coupled with efforts by recycling firms to adopt technological improvements and sustainable business models supported this rebound. Initiatives such as the Zero Waste Masterplan and developing guidelines for sustainable e-commerce packaging aimed to enhance recycling efficiency and market stability.

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

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

Paper and paperboard waste production in South-eastern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 9 598 K t, showing a slight year-on-year increase of 1.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	6.3%	1.0%	2.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste production in South-eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 625 M $ US, representing a significant drop of 20.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 280 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 21.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.4%	(10.3%)	(20.6%)	(4.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, paper and paperboard waste exports from South-eastern Asia increased in 2020. Exports totalled 672 K t, marking a rise of 49.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 27.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 448 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 49.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.5%)	(49.6%)	49.9%	(10.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and India were among the largest buyers of paper and paperboard waste from South-eastern Asia, accounting for 21.3%, 6.7%, and 4.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, together they represented just 32.7% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South-eastern Asia's paper and paperboard waste exports reached 114 M $ US, up by 17.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 42%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 96 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 227 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 57.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.9%	(57.5%)	17.8%	(16.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, paper and paperboard waste from South-eastern Asia was supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—China, South Korea, and India—together accounted for only 36.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, South-eastern Asia's volume of paper and paperboard waste imports was recorded at 9 384 K t, representing a sharp increase of 29.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 59.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	28.4%	(4.5%)	29.9%	16.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom remained the main sources for imports in kind of paper and paperboard waste to South-eastern Asia, accounting for 28.1%, 12.1%, and 10.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they captured 50.9% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South-eastern Asia imported paper and paperboard waste valued at 1 034 M $ US, up by 28.0% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 034 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 19.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.7%	(19.4%)	28.0%	1.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of paper and paperboard waste to South-eastern Asia were not heavily concentrated. The United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom accounted for 26.9%, 12.0%, and 10.1% of imports, respectively, together capturing only 49.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io