Paper and paperboard waste market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Swiss paper and paperboard waste market volume declined from 979 thousand tonnes to 912 thousand tonnes. This contraction was initially driven by a tighter waste paper market, as China's sharply reduced imports limited the availability of recycling raw materials in Europe. In 2019, continued scarcity and rising costs for recycled feedstock further pressured the market. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions, while the ongoing digitalization trend reduced demand for graphic papers, leading to a stabilized market volume.

The market fell to 870 thousand tonnes in 2021, primarily due to the persistent structural shift from graphic papers to digital alternatives. A significant reversal occurred in 2022, with volume jumping to 1 014 thousand tonnes. This surge was directly driven by new EU and German regulations, notably the Packaging Act mandating a 90% recycling rate for paper and cardboard, which increased demand for waste paper to meet quotas. Concurrently, rising consumer preference for sustainable and recyclable packaging supported higher collection and use of paper waste.

In 2023, the market volume decreased to 875 thousand tonnes as demand for waste paper softened and prices began to decline from their 2022 peaks, reflecting a stabilization in raw material supply. Regulatory developments, such as the advancing EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), continued to set the framework for future market dynamics by emphasizing higher recycling targets and circular economy principles.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland ranked 25th 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

In 2020, Switzerland produced 1 209 K t of paper and paperboard waste, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 209 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 3.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste production in Switzerland declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 131.1 M $ US, marking a 16.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 40.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 15.9%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Switzerland exported 431.7 K t of paper and paperboard waste, which is 2.2% more than in the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.7%, with a CAGR of -2.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 422.6 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 482.2 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 12.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France were the leading markets for Switzerland's exports of paper and paperboard waste in kind, together accounting for 83.2% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Switzerland declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value reached 46 823 K $ US, down by 14.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 42.7%, with a CAGR of -16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France remained the primary buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Switzerland in value terms, with a combined share of 82.9% of total exports, while the rest was fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, cross-border shipments of paper and paperboard waste to Switzerland increased. In 2020, imports totaled 135.0 K t, indicating a modest rise of 5.5% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 64.8%, with a CAGR of -29.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 127.9 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 47.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France were the dominant suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Switzerland in kind, together taking 89.3% of total imports, with other destinations each accounting for relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, paper and paperboard waste deliveries to Switzerland were valued at 23 036 K $ US, reflecting an abrupt decline of 29.7% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 63.2%, with a CAGR of -28.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 48.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France were the main sources for imports of paper and paperboard waste to Switzerland in value terms, jointly accounting for 86.3% of total flows, with the residual share split among other markets.

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

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