Semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp in Germany declined from 4.1 million tons in 2018 to 3.5 million tons in 2020, a reduction of nearly 16% over two years.

A recovery followed in 2021, with consumption rising to 3.7 million tons. This growth was driven by increased demand for pulp in sustainable packaging and hygiene products, as well as the adoption of environmentally friendly bleaching technologies like Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) processes. However, the market shrank again in 2022 to 3.6 million tons, pressured by rising energy costs and temporary production disruptions at European mills due to stricter environmental regulations.

The downward trend accelerated in 2023, with market volume falling sharply to 3.1 million tons. Global factors such as raw material and energy price volatility, along with advances in bleaching technology, continued to shape the market environment.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked 15th globally in the production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades.

Top producers of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Germany's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined. In 2020, output reached 1 090 K t, marking a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 121 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 575.1 M $ US, representing an 18.0% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 3.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 782.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 31.2%.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany exported 946 K t of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, showing a gradual decrease of 7.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 5.9%, with an annualized decline of 2.0%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 877 K t, which saw the largest annual decline of 12.8%. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2019 at 1 020 K t, with the largest annual increase of 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, China, and Poland were the primary buyers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Germany. Austria accounted for 27.4% of exports in kind, China for 14.9%, and Poland for 9.1%, collectively making up 51.4% of total exports.

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, M $ US

Germany's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 499 M $ US, a fall of 21.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.3%, with an annualized rate of 5.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 653 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, China, and Italy were the main buyers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Germany in value terms. Austria represented 27.2% of exports, China 14.3%, and Italy 9.6%, together accounting for 51.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 321 K t, indicating a limited contraction of 8.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20.8%, with an annualized decline of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Finland, and Sweden were the key sources for Germany's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in kind. Brazil accounted for 26.1% of imports, Finland for 18.1%, and Sweden for 17.2%, collectively representing 61.4% of total import volume.

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, M $ US

Germany's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 1 751 M $ US, marking an abrupt fall of 25.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 29.7%, with an average annual decline of 11.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 2 929 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 17.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Sweden, and Finland were the main sources for Germany's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in value terms. Brazil accounted for 25.7% of imports, Sweden for 17.4%, and Finland for 17.4%, together making up 60.5% of total import value.

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

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