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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp in India grew from 2.85 million tonnes in 2018 to 3.3 million tonnes in 2023, despite a brief dip in 2020. Domestic production remained steady at 2.21 million tonnes annually, so the expansion was fueled entirely by rising imports, which climbed from 641 000 tonnes to over 1 million tonnes. Underlying this trend was the strong growth of the packaging and tissue paper segments, driven by e-commerce expansion and increased hygiene awareness.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 initially disrupted global supply chains, constraining pulp availability and contributing to a slight market contraction. However, it simultaneously boosted demand for tissue and hygiene products, setting the stage for recovery. From 2021 onward, significant investments in new production capacity, such as JK Paper's hardwood bleach chemical thermo-mechanical pulp plant and Naini Papers' bleached kraft pulp lines, aimed to modernize the industry. Concurrently, foreign direct investment increased, exemplified by Singapore's APRIL group entering the Indian tissue market through the acquisition of Origami in 2024.

Environmental regulations and a consumer shift toward sustainable packaging further shaped the market. The adoption of elemental chlorine-free bleaching technologies and stricter sourcing requirements responded to both regulatory pressure and changing preferences. These factors, combined with the ongoing expansion of the kraft paper and paperboard sector, supported the consistent rise in pulp consumption over the period.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, India ranked as the world's 12th largest producer 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

In 2020, India produced 2 210 K t of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, showing minimal 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 India in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from India

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year rise, India's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined. In 2020, exports totaled 0.7 K t, marking a steep decrease of 68.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 29.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 2.0 K t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 60.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for India's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, accounting for 95.0% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2019 and dropped to their lowest point in 2020, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, India exported 0.3 M $ US of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, reflecting a decline of 78.8% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1.6 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 72.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, 96.1% of India's total exports in value terms of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, went to the United Arab Emirates, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to India

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, India imported 630.5 K t of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, representing a limited decrease of 8.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 9.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (26.1% of imports in kind), the United States (23.5% of imports in kind), and Chile (10.4% of imports in kind) formed the main cluster of markets for India's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, with a combined share of 60.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

India's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 350.4 M $ US, reflecting a solid loss of 24.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 518.0 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 15.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (26.8% of imports in value terms), Indonesia (23.9% of imports in value terms), and Chile (10.6% of imports in value terms) were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of India's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, with a combined share of 61.2% of total flows.

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

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