Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp Market

The global market for dissolving grade wood pulp is projected to see continued growth in both volume and value from 2022 to 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of +4.5% and +6.2% respectively. China leads in consumption and production, while Indonesia and Malaysia are major exporters. Global imports and exports have shown notable growth in the past decade, with fluctuating trends in prices. Overall, the market is expected to see significant developments and expansions in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for dissolving grade wood pulp worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +4.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 14M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $15.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp

In 2022, consumption of dissolving grade wood pulp decreased by -3% to 10M tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 10M tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

The global dissolving grade wood pulp market size reached $9.7B in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

China (4.4M tons) remains the largest dissolving grade wood pulp consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 44% of total volume. Moreover, dissolving grade wood pulp consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Portugal (1.1M tons), fourfold. India (1.1M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 10% share.

In China, dissolving grade wood pulp consumption increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Portugal (+5.6% per year) and India (+8.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($4.7B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($1B). It was followed by the United States.

In China, the dissolving grade wood pulp market increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: India (+7.0% per year) and the United States (-1.8% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of dissolving grade wood pulp per capita consumption was registered in Portugal (104 kg per person), followed by Finland (45 kg per person), Austria (43 kg per person) and Canada (6.5 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of dissolving grade wood pulp was estimated at 1.3 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the dissolving grade wood pulp per capita consumption in Portugal totaled +5.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Finland (+9.3% per year) and Austria (+0.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp

In 2022, production of dissolving grade wood pulp decreased by -1.3% to 11M tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. Overall, the total production indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +38.3% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 55%. Global production peaked at 11M tons in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

In value terms, dissolving grade wood pulp production dropped to $7.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 29%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $8.8B, and then fell in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (1.2M tons), Indonesia (1.2M tons) and Portugal (1.2M tons), together accounting for 34% of global production. China, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Sweden, Austria, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Chile and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 48%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Lao People's Democratic Republic (with a CAGR of +24.7%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp

Global dissolving grade wood pulp imports rose rapidly to 7.1M tons in 2022, with an increase of 6.2% on the previous year's figure. Overall, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +55.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 13%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, dissolving grade wood pulp imports expanded notably to $6.6B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

China was the major importing country with an import of about 3.3M tons, which reached 47% of total imports. Malaysia (919K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by India (11%), Germany (5.8%) and Indonesia (5.6%). The United States (283K tons) and Thailand (212K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to dissolving grade wood pulp imports into China stood at +7.8%. At the same time, Malaysia (+178.7%), India (+14.8%) and Thailand (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +178.7% from 2012-2022. The United States, Germany and Indonesia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Malaysia (+13 p.p.), China (+9.4 p.p.) and India (+6.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the United States, Germany and Indonesia saw its share reduced by -2.4%, -3.8% and -4.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($3.6B) constitutes the largest market for imported dissolving grade wood pulp worldwide, comprising 54% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($766M), with a 12% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6.2% share.

In China, dissolving grade wood pulp imports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+12.6% per year) and Germany (-1.9% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average dissolving grade wood pulp import price amounted to $933 per ton, surging by 4.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 23%. Global import price peaked at $1,148 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($1,065 per ton), while Malaysia ($146 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+0.2%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Dissolving Grade Wood Pulp

In 2022, global exports of dissolving grade wood pulp was estimated at 7.4M tons, picking up by 8.7% compared with 2021 figures. In general, total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +67.3% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 95%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, dissolving grade wood pulp exports expanded remarkably to $6.4B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Indonesia (1,334K tons), Malaysia (1,079K tons), South Africa (946K tons), the United States (845K tons) and Brazil (650K tons) represented the major exporter of dissolving grade wood pulp in the world, constituting 65% of total export. Sweden (371K tons) took a 5% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Canada (5%). The following exporters - Lao People's Democratic Republic (316K tons), Chile (264K tons), the Czech Republic (237K tons), Hong Kong SAR (144K tons), Norway (144K tons) and Austria (127K tons) - together made up 17% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Malaysia (with a CAGR of +198.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.1B), South Africa ($1B) and Indonesia ($947M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 48% of global exports. Brazil, Sweden, Canada, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Chile, the Czech Republic, Norway, Malaysia, Hong Kong SAR and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

Malaysia, with a CAGR of +142.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average dissolving grade wood pulp export price amounted to $856 per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1,162 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($1,529 per ton), while Malaysia ($158 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+22.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform