Paper and paperboard waste market in the United Arab Emirates

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for paper and paperboard waste in the UAE remained stable at around 300 thousand tons, supported by a federal law encouraging the establishment of recycling plants and obligations for enterprises to reuse certain waste types. A significant shift occurred in 2020 when the market volume jumped 41% to 425.2 thousand tons. This surge was driven by increased investments in industrial waste recycling facilities using AI and robotics, along with the annual processing of about 500 thousand tons of construction and demolition waste, which boosted the recovery and availability of recyclable materials including paper and cardboard.

The market then contracted sharply over the next two years, falling 34% to 282.1 thousand tons in 2021 and a further 33% to 188.9 thousand tons in 2022. This decline was primarily caused by the expansion of government digitalization initiatives, such as the 'Paperless Day' project and the 'Tamm' digital platform, which introduced over 750 digital government services. These measures significantly reduced paper documentation usage and consequently lowered the generation of paper waste.

In 2023, the market volume rebounded by 22% to 229.8 thousand tons. This recovery took place alongside continued digitalization efforts and heightened environmental awareness about the benefits of recycling, coupled with the implementation of federal environmental protection and hazardous waste management legislation, which likely encouraged more systematic collection and processing of paper waste.

Production paper and paperboard waste in the United Arab Emirates

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 2020, the United Arab Emirates produced 500.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste, showing virtually no change from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of paper and paperboard waste in the United Arab Emirates was valued at 87 507 K $ US, remaining largely stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 87 307 K $ US, while the maximum value was in 2018 at 97 809 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from the United Arab Emirates declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 234.2 K t, down by 39.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 53.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India, Indonesia, and China consistently remained the main destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 59.4%, 10.1%, and 9.5% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 78.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports from the United Arab Emirates declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 40 989 K $ US of paper and paperboard waste, marking a drop of 38.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 56%, equating to an annualized rate of 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India, Indonesia, and China remained the key directions for exports in value terms, with shares of 56.8%, 10.3%, and 10.3%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 77.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Imports paper and paperboard waste to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign paper and paperboard waste supplies to the United Arab Emirates declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 159.4 K t, representing a 13.9% loss from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 227.9 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 56.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Oman, the United States, and Saudi Arabia formed the main group of destinations for imports in kind of paper and paperboard waste to the United Arab Emirates, with shares of 38.2%, 25.9%, and 23.3%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 87.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign paper and paperboard waste supplies to the United Arab Emirates declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 13 040 K $ US, which is 29.5% weaker year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 30 522 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 39.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 69.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Oman formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms, with shares of 45.5%, 19.6%, and 13.9%, respectively. Together, they represented 79.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020