Paper and paperboard waste market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The paper and paperboard waste market in Southern Asia grew from 7.2 million t in 2018 to over 8 million t in 2020. This expansion was initially supported by a ban on plastics in 2019, which boosted demand for paper packaging. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, although global supply chains were disrupted, the packaging and recycling segments saw increased activity, further driving market volume higher.

Market size dipped to 7.9 million t in 2021, as a contradictory GST structure created financial difficulties for small-scale recyclers. A recovery followed in 2022, with the market reaching 8.8 million t after the draft Extended Producer Responsibility rules for packaging were announced and the first green paper mill in Bihar commenced operations, consuming 200 t of paper scrap daily.

In 2023, the market contracted to 8.5 million t. This was influenced by price volatility for paper scrap due to global factors like the Red Sea crisis and increased freight costs. Simultaneously, stricter Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules enacted that year bolstered demand for paper-based alternatives, providing some counterbalance to the decline.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Southern Asia

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

Southern Asia's paper and paperboard waste production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 7 760 K t of paper and paperboard waste, representing a significant 12.4% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 86.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 23.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Asia's paper and paperboard waste production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 50 224 M $ US, marking a substantial 16.5% increase over the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 84.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.7%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 49.6 K t, then surged to 131.8 K t in 2020, representing a 110.1% increase from the previous year. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018, exports changed by 4.8-fold, with the largest decline of 79.0% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines (0.7% of exports in kind), Indonesia (0.7% of exports in kind), and Iraq (0.5% of exports in kind) were the leading destinations for Southern Asia's paper and paperboard waste exports, together accounting for 1.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Southern Asia's paper and paperboard waste exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 20 569 K $ US, down by 25.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 56.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -24.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Asia's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms were widely distributed across partner countries. Iraq (1.8% of exports in value terms), China (0.8% of exports in value terms), and the Philippines (0.7% of exports in value terms) together represented just 3.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017, then climbed to a maximum of 436.8 K t in 2019—a 2.5-fold variation. In 2020, Southern Asia imported 425.1 K t of paper and paperboard waste, corresponding to a 2.7% drop compared to 2019. The largest increase of 142.1% was recorded in 2018.

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

The country composition of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. The United Arab Emirates (15.3% of imports in kind), South Korea (10.7% of imports in kind), and the United States (10.3% of imports in kind) together formed just 36.3% of total import flows, with the remaining 63.7% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports dropped to their minimum in 2017, then climbed to a maximum of 74 100 K $ US in 2019—a 1.9-fold shift. In 2020, paper and paperboard waste deliveries to Southern Asia amounted to 60 394 K $ US, reflecting an 18.5% fall over the past year. The largest increase of 73.2% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the portfolio of suppliers for paper and paperboard waste to Southern Asia was broad. The United Arab Emirates (19.9% of imports in value terms), Iraq (10.7% of imports in value terms), and the United States (8.1% of imports in value terms) together contributed only 38.7% of total imports in value terms, while many other countries held smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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