Uncoated filter paper and paperboard market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for uncoated filter paper and paperboard in rolls or sheets showed a general contraction in volume from 107 thousand tons in 2018 to 81 thousand tons in 2023, with intermittent fluctuations such as a recovery in 2021. The market value followed a similar volatile path, decreasing from $463 million to $433 million over the same period.

In 2024, market volume increased to 83.4 thousand tons, marking a partial reversal of the prior decline. This recovery was supported by a strong shift in consumer preferences toward sustainable and recyclable packaging, regulatory bans on single-use plastics across Europe, and technological advances in digital printing that expanded the application range for uncoated paperboard. Strategic partnerships between major packaging producers and consumer brands further stimulated demand for paper-based solutions.

Production uncoated filter paper and paperboard in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of uncoated filter paper and paperboard reached 420.0 million US dollars in 2020, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 3.4%. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 8.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 406.1 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 477.1 million US dollars. The most significant drop happened in 2019 with a 14.9% decrease, whereas the largest rise was in 2018 with a 4.3% increase.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of uncoated filter paper and paperboard saw an uptick in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. That year, output totaled 97.2 thousand tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13%, averaging an annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 96.7 thousand tonnes, which also marked the largest decrease of 12.5%.

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

Exports uncoated filter paper and paperboard from Germany

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany exported 19 712 tonnes of uncoated filter paper and paperboard, representing a substantial 19.8% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 6.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—the Netherlands, the United States, and Finland—collectively accounted for 77.8% of Germany's total exports of uncoated filter paper and paperboard in volume terms.

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's export value of uncoated filter paper and paperboard stood at 38 459 thousand US dollars in 2020, up 6.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 16.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The largest decrease was in 2019 at 2.3%, while the highest increase was in 2018 with an 11.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Germany's exports in value terms were the Netherlands, the United States, and Poland, together representing 58.8% of total export 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 uncoated filter paper and paperboard to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of uncoated filter paper and paperboard rebounded in 2020 after two years of decline. Import volume reached 16 005 tonnes, marking a strong 19.0% increase compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 446 tonnes, and the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with an 11.5% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Switzerland dominated Germany's imports in volume terms, accounting for 72.5% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among numerous other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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 import value of uncoated filter paper and paperboard continued to rise for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 23 392 thousand US dollars, a slight 0.8% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 23 201 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decrease of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Spain, and France were the top contributors to Germany's imports in value terms, with shares of 50.2%, 19.7%, and 10.4%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.3% of total import flows.

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

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