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

Earlier Report Observations

The Northern European market for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp experienced considerable volume shifts between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 8.6 million tons in 2018, consumption rose to 9.4 million tons the following year before a sharp contraction to 7.1 million tons in 2020. The market partially recovered over the next two years, reaching 8.3 million tons in 2022, but fell again to 6.1 million tons in 2023.

In 2024, significant industry developments included Stora Enso's inauguration of a new bio-refinery in Finland dedicated to sustainable bleached kraft pulp production, which enhanced regional manufacturing capacity. Concurrently, the European Union granted approval for bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp in food-contact applications, a regulatory change that created new demand opportunities for pulp producers in Northern Europe.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Northern Europe's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 12 736 K t, marking a 3.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 242 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 5.8%.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe exported 7 129 K t of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, representing a significant 39.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 24.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 124 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, were distributed across a broad range of partners. The top three destinations—China (22.5% of exports), the Netherlands (12.7%), and Germany (12.4%)—together accounted for only 47.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

For the second consecutive year, the value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp exports from Northern Europe, excluding dissolving grades, declined. In 2020, exports totaled 3 824 M $ US, a substantial 15.6% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 5 002 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 40.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of Northern Europe's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, was widely dispersed among partner countries. The top three—China (20.4% of export value), Germany (13.1%), and the Netherlands (12.7%)—together represented only 46.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Northern Europe's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased in 2020. Imports reached 1 533 K t, a 23.8% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 28.3%, with an average annual decline of 10.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 238 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 34.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, came from many different markets. Even the largest suppliers—Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands—together accounted for only 49.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

For the second year in a row, the value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp imports to Northern Europe, excluding dissolving grades, declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 815 M $ US, a 21.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 30%, with an average annual decline of 11.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 412 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 21.2%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 26.3%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that the value of Northern Europe's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, was not concentrated among a few key suppliers. The top three—Brazil (32.9% of import value), the Netherlands (8.1%), and Portugal (7.0%)—jointly accounted for only 48.0% of total flows.

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

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