Paper and paperboard waste market in Spain, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for paper and paperboard waste saw significant regulatory and international trade influences from 2018. The launch of the national GIRA Plan 2018-2022 established extended producer responsibility for this waste stream, shifting management obligations onto market participants. Concurrently, China's National Sword policy imposed strict contamination limits on imported waste, initially disrupting global trade flows and affecting Spain's export options. Despite these frameworks, the market volume contracted to 4 300 thousand tonnes in 2019, partly due to a sharp drop in imports. By 2020, Spain's domestic recycling rate for paper and cardboard packaging had exceeded 72.9%, supported by increased private-sector collection. The year ended with China's full ban on waste paper imports, which directly pressured the Spanish market to develop domestic recycling alternatives, contributing to a market volume recovery to 5 124 thousand tonnes.

A key regulatory driver emerged in 2021 with the Royal Decree on Packaging, which set a binding minimum recycling target of 75% for paper and cardboard by 2025 and strengthened the operational rules for collective extended producer responsibility systems. This reinforced policy environment supported further market growth, with volume reaching 5 356 thousand tonnes. However, 2022 brought heightened global market volatility, with price fluctuations influenced by ongoing international restrictions, including China's policies, and a reorientation of production lines toward local or regional markets. These external headwinds coincided with a decline in the Spanish market volume to 4 137 thousand tonnes, even as private companies continued to focus on improving collection efficiency and recycled material quality.

In 2023, the market volume rebounded to 4 592 thousand tonnes, continuing the pattern of fluctuation observed throughout the period from 2018 to 2023.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain maintained the 12th position globally in terms of paper and paperboard waste production volume.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

Spain's paper and paperboard waste production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain produced 4 385 K t of paper and paperboard waste, down 0.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 3.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.3%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Exported volumes of paper and paperboard waste from Spain increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 722 K t of paper and paperboard waste, up 5.5% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 570 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 46.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 20.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and the Netherlands were the top destinations for Spain's paper and paperboard waste exports in volume terms. China accounted for 32.5% of exports, India for 17.2%, and the Netherlands for 12.4%. Together, these three countries made up 62.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Spain's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms increased. In 2020, exports reached 98.6 M $ US, showing a modest rise of 7.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 51.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 91.6 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 42.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Spain's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms were China, India, and the Netherlands. China represented 40.8% of exports, India 13.9%, and the Netherlands 11.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain imported approximately 1 462 K t of paper and paperboard waste, marking a significant increase of 157.9% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 567 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 49.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Portugal dominated Spain's paper and paperboard waste imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 88.5% of total flows. Other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of paper and paperboard waste into Spain declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 161.8 M $ US, down 9.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 37.5%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Spain's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with France and Portugal together accounting for 81.8% of total flows. Other partners represented the residual portion.

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

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