Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Western Europe

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Western Europe" region includes following countries:

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

the Netherlands

Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the paper and paperboard waste market in Western Europe was shaped by regulatory and investment trends. In 2019, strengthened European regulations on waste reduction and recycling, along with increased demand for recycled fibers from board mills, drove market volume up to 31 927 thousand tonnes. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily boosted recycled paper consumption through e-commerce growth, but broader economic slowdowns led to a slight contraction to 30 850 thousand tonnes.

The market recovered in 2021, reaching 31 748 thousand tonnes, supported by ongoing conversion of production capacity towards packaging, stricter EU rules on waste shipments, and shifting consumer preferences towards sustainable packaging. In 2022, however, market volume declined to 28 559 thousand tonnes, even as circular economy policies and infrastructure investments continued to frame the sector's development.

By 2023, the market shrank further to 25 993 thousand tonnes, pressured by rising production costs—including inflation and high energy tariffs—and tightened regulatory demands such as France’s AGEC law and the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. In 2024, ongoing regulatory developments, the adoption of AI in quality control, and macroeconomic challenges continued to influence the market environment.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Western Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paper and paperboard waste in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Western Europe's paper and paperboard waste production volume declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 30 781 K t. However, in 2020, it fell to 30 253 K t, marking a slight decrease of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 5.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.3%	0.8%	(1.7%)	1.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of paper and paperboard waste in Western Europe was 3 997 M $ US, representing a 14.8% decline from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 29.5%, averaging an annual decline of 11.0%. The largest drop was recorded in 2018 at 22.9%, while the only increase during this period occurred in 2019, with a 7.3% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(22.9%)	7.3%	(14.8%)	(11.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's paper and paperboard waste export volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 7 671 K t, down 2.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 22%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 8.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 384 K t. That year also saw the largest increase of 15.7%, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 30.6% drop.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.7%	(30.6%)	(2.9%)	(8.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, China, and India were notable but not dominant buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Western Europe. Spain accounted for 12.1% of exports in kind, China for 9.7%, and India for 5.0%. Together, their combined share reached 26.9% of total exports in kind, indicating a diversified export structure.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported paper and paperboard waste volumes from Western Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 013 M $ US, down 15.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 47.3%, averaging an annual decline of 19.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.3%)	(26.2%)	(15.8%)	(19.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, China, Spain, and India formed the largest group of buyers in value terms for paper and paperboard waste from Western Europe. China accounted for 12.5% of exports in value, Spain for 10.1%, and India for 4.0%. Their combined contribution was 26.6% of total exports in value terms, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe's paper and paperboard waste imports amounted to 8 267 K t, showing a moderate reduction of 8.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 105 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 17.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 11.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(17.1%)	11.6%	(8.6%)	(5.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in kind of paper and paperboard waste to Western Europe was quite broad. The United Kingdom accounted for 7.5% of imports in kind, Poland for 7.4%, and Czechia for 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 21.1% of total import flows, highlighting a wide distribution among trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste import volumes in Western Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 288 M $ US, which is 17.4% less than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 34.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.5%)	(14.4%)	(17.4%)	(13.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over 2017-2020, imports in value terms of paper and paperboard waste to Western Europe were widely dispersed across partner countries. Poland accounted for 7.0% of imports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 6.6%, and Czechia for 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 18.7% of total import flows, underscoring the diversified nature of the import structure.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io