Paper finishing agents market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for paper finishing agents contracted significantly in physical volume from 2018 to 2024. Consumption fell from 444.6 thousand tons to 185.5 thousand tons, with the sharpest drop occurring between 2018 and 2019, followed by a continued gradual decline.

In value terms, the market displayed a different trajectory. While the volume shrank, the market value in US dollars saw a temporary increase, rising from 106.1 million USD in 2021 to 110.2 million in 2022, before decreasing to 95.1 million by 2024. This indicates that price changes or shifts in the product mix mitigated some of the volume loss during the middle years.

The overall reduction in market size was driven by falling domestic production and imports over the period. Export volumes remained relatively steady, suggesting the contraction was primarily due to weaker domestic demand for these agents in Germany's paper industry.

Production paper finishing agents in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of paper finishing agents declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 120.7 million US dollars, marking a 5.5% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 151.3 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 5.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 15.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of paper finishing agents declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 118.1 thousand tonnes were produced, representing a 7.2% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 31.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 11.9%.

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

Exports paper finishing agents from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of paper finishing agents increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 82.6 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate improvement of 4.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 8.9%, with an average annual increase of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 75.3 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of paper finishing agents in kind were widely dispersed across partner countries. The Netherlands accounted for 15.9% of exports, France for 12.0%, and Sweden for 10.3%, with these three countries together representing only 38.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Germany exported 89 279 thousand US dollars worth of paper finishing agents in 2020, reflecting a gradual increase of 6.3% relative to the prior year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 83 954 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 8.7%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 91 997 thousand US dollars.

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

During 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of paper finishing agents in value terms were spread relatively evenly. France accounted for 12.4% of exports, the Netherlands for 9.7%, and Sweden for 8.9%, with these three countries jointly accounting for only 31.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper finishing agents to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of paper finishing agents declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 252.3 thousand tonnes, marking a substantial decrease of 14.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 28.9%, with an average annual decline of 10.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands remained the main market for Germany's imports in kind, with a share of 78.5% of total flows, while the rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Germany's imports of paper finishing agents declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 73 445 thousand US dollars, representing a robust reduction of 11.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.1%, with an average annual decline of 6.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 91 234 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 1.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland were the primary suppliers of paper finishing agents to Germany in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 22.2% of imports, Austria for 17.5%, and Switzerland for 17.5%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 57.2% of total imports.

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

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