Paper and paperboard waste market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Southern Europe, centered on Spain, showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. After a drop to 9.3 million tonnes in 2019, consumption expanded sharply, reaching a peak of 12.3 million tonnes in 2021. This growth was primarily driven by shifts in waste generation patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered consumption and increased packaging waste, alongside ongoing preparations for stringent new circular economy legislation.

Regulatory pressure from both the EU and national government structured the market's evolution. The implementation of Spain's Law on Waste and Contaminated Soil for a Circular Economy in April 2022, following years of preparation, and the EU's packaging waste rules setting recyclability targets for 2030, created a strong incentive for recycling activities. These were supported by Spain's efficient blue container collection system and high citizen participation, which maintained a robust flow of recyclable material.

In the latter part of the period, market volume contracted despite a growing recycling industry. Separate collection of paper and board dipped slightly in 2022, and a significant rise in exports of waste and scrap in 2023 diverted material away from the domestic market, reducing available volume even as the business value of recycling grew to €5.3 billion.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Southern Europe

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

In Southern Europe, paper and paperboard waste production reached 13 090 K t in 2020, marking a solid 14.5% improvement compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 0.4%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Southern Europe increased in 2020 after two years of reduction. Exports totaled 3 562 K t in 2020, showing a 1.0% gain from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 525 K t, while the largest decline happened in 2018 with a drop of 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Indonesia, and India were among the largest buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Southern Europe, accounting for 18.7%, 13.1%, and 8.2% of exports in kind, respectively. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 40.0% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms increased in 2020 after a two-year decline. Export volume reached 441.0 M $ US in 2020, representing a small increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 43.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 436.0 M $ US, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 32.8%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that exports in value terms of paper and paperboard waste from Southern Europe were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. China accounted for 25.5% of exports in value terms, Indonesia for 10.9%, and India for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 43.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste imports into Southern Europe increased in 2020 after a two-year fall. Imports reached approximately 2 211 K t in 2020, representing a significant 63.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 354 K t, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 37.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Hungary formed the core of imports in kind for paper and paperboard waste into Southern Europe. France accounted for 40.8% of imports in kind, the United States for 5.8%, and Hungary for 5.0%. Together, these three countries took 51.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's paper and paperboard waste import volume in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 321.9 M $ US, indicating a solid drop of 14.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 35.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Germany were the main destinations for paper and paperboard waste imports into Southern Europe in value terms. France accounted for 36.7% of imports in value terms, the United States for 9.5%, and Germany for 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented 53.0% of total imports.

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

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