Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European unbleached kraft pulp market remained stable at approximately 8.0–8.1 million tonnes annually in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, it expanded sharply by over 20%, reaching 9.8 million tonnes. This was followed by a gradual decline, with the market contracting to 8.4 million tonnes by 2023.

The downturn from 2021 onward was primarily driven by material shortages and severe supply chain disruptions across the pulp and paper industry. These constraints intensified following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, leading to higher raw material costs and production bottlenecks that directly reduced output and overall market volume.

Throughout this period, regulatory measures aimed at reducing single-use plastics and strong consumer demand for sustainable packaging provided underlying market support. In response, major producers such as UPM announced significant investments in expanding production capacity and deploying cleaner, more efficient technologies.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Europe's production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, Europe produced 10 299 K t of this pulp, marking a significant 20.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 8 517 K t, when the largest decline of 12.4% occurred.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in Europe was 6 901 M $ US, showing a modest increase of 3.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 692 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 8 062 M $ US. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a 17.0% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 12.6% rise.

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

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Europe's exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, saw a decline. In 2020, exports reached 704.9 K t, down by 1.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 22.9%, averaging a 7.1% annual growth rate. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 712.2 K t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 15.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Europe's exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, were not heavily concentrated in a few markets. The top three destinations—China with 29.9% of exports, South Korea with 8.1%, and India with 3.6%—together accounted for just 41.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's export value for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 327.7 M $ US, an 8.1% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 10.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 464.5 M $ US, when the largest increase of 56.5% was recorded. The biggest decline occurred in 2019 with a 23.3% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of Europe's export value for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, was highly diverse. China accounted for 29.4% of exports, South Korea for 7.1%, and India for 3.9%, totaling only 40.4% of flows. The remaining 59.6% was spread across numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Europe's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, rebounded. In 2020, imports were approximately 237.9 K t, up 7.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 5.3%, averaging a 1.7% annual increase. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 222.1 K t, when the largest decline of 1.1% was observed.

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

During 2017-2020, the key sources for Europe's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, were New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Together, these three countries accounted for 5.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe's import value for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were around 142.0 M $ US, down 11.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 199.4 M $ US, when the largest increase of 34.7% occurred. The biggest drop was in 2019 with a 19.2% decrease.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the main sources for Europe's import value of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, were New Zealand with 3.8%, Canada with 2.1%, and the United States with 2.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 7.9% of total import flows.

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

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