Paper and paperboard waste market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for paper and paperboard waste remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 9 215 and 9 281 thousand tons. This period was marked by the 2018 revision of the Waste Management Act, which strengthened recycling standards for waste paper and scrap metal, and by the initial entry of large corporations into the market through acquisitions of recycling operators, setting the stage for industry consolidation.

Market volume surged to 10 009 thousand tons in 2021, driven by an accelerated restructuring of the waste sector as major corporations and private equity firms diversified their recycling operations. Subsequently, the market contracted to 8 230 thousand tons by 2023. This decline was influenced by disruptions in the scrap paper supply chain, leading to pile-ups and prompting paper manufacturers to make emergency purchases to stabilize their raw material intake.

In 2024, significant legislative developments took effect, including a full revision of the Framework Act on Resource Circulation and the designation of waste paper as a circular resource, exempting it from waste regulations, which aims to foster greater recycling activity.

Production paper and paperboard waste in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea ranked fifth globally in the production of paper and paperboard waste.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, South Korea's production of paper and paperboard waste increased in 2020. The country produced 8 479 K t that year, marking a 3.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production fell by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 8 178 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 4.2% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, South Korea's production value of paper and paperboard waste saw an uptick in 2020. The output was valued at 1 280 M $ US, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 23.4%, translating to an annualized decline of 8.5%. The minimum value was 1 279 M $ US in 2019, which also experienced the largest drop of 13.7%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from South Korea

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, South Korea exported 414 K t of paper and paperboard waste, a modest increase of 5.6% over 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 27.8%, averaging a 10.3% annual decrease. The lowest export volume was 392 K t in 2019, while the peak was 744 K t in 2018. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 47.3% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with a 29.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia were the top destinations for South Korea's paper and paperboard waste exports by volume. China accounted for 39.9% of exports, Vietnam for 20.6%, and Indonesia for 18.3%, together making up 78.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South Korea's paper and paperboard waste exports were valued at 62.5 M $ US, showing a slight gain of 2.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 42.3%, with an annualized decline of 16.7%. The minimum value was 61.3 M $ US in 2019, and the maximum was 130.0 M $ US in 2018. The sharpest decrease was in 2019 at 52.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 20.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia emerged as the primary markets for South Korea's paper and paperboard waste exports by value. China held a 41.0% share, Vietnam 19.7%, and Indonesia 16.3%, collectively representing 77.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to South Korea

Imports in kind, K t

South Korea's imports of paper and paperboard waste declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 1 150 K t, which was a substantial 21.3% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.2%, with an annualized rate of -7.6%. The highest import volume was 1 554 K t in 2018, which also saw the largest increase of 6.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands were the leading sources of South Korea's paper and paperboard waste imports by volume. The United States contributed 59.6% of imports, Japan 18.4%, and the Netherlands 4.6%, together accounting for 82.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

South Korea's imports of paper and paperboard waste declined for the third year in a row in 2020, with a value of approximately 198.0 M $ US, down 23.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 44.2%, equating to an annualized decrease of 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands formed the core group of markets for South Korea's paper and paperboard waste imports by value. The United States accounted for 60.0% of imports, Japan for 16.3%, and the Netherlands for 4.3%, with a combined share of 80.6% of total import value.

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

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