Recovered Fibre Pulp Market

The global recovered fibre pulp market is expected to see steady growth in volume and value terms over the next eight years, with a projected increase in market volume to 4.1M tons and market value to $2.4B by the end of 2030. China is the largest consumer and importer of recovered fibre pulp, while Thailand leads in production and exports. The market is characterized by fluctuations in consumption, production, and trade, with notable growth rates seen in select countries. Average annual growth rates have varied across different regions, with some countries experiencing significant increases in per capita consumption and production. Import and export prices have fluctuated over the years, with varying trends observed among top exporting and importing countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for recovered fibre pulp worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Recovered Fibre Pulp

Global recovered fibre pulp consumption soared to 4M tons in 2022, increasing by 22% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, the total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +94.7% against 2013 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The global recovered fibre pulp market size soared to $1.9B in 2022, jumping by 28% against 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). In general, the total consumption indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its value 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, consumption increased by +67.3% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

China (2.9M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of recovered fibre pulp consumption, accounting for 72% of total volume. Moreover, recovered fibre pulp consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Indonesia (193K tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by South Korea (148K tons), with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +65.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Indonesia (-3.8% per year) and South Korea (+0.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($1.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($187M). It was followed by South Korea.

In China, the recovered fibre pulp market increased at an average annual rate of +61.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Indonesia (-5.0% per year) and South Korea (-1.3% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of recovered fibre pulp per capita consumption was registered in New Zealand (16 kg per person), followed by Canada (3.3 kg per person), Malaysia (3.2 kg per person) and China (2 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of recovered fibre pulp was estimated at less than 0.1 kg per person.

In New Zealand, recovered fibre pulp per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Canada (+19.9% per year) and Malaysia (-18.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Recovered Fibre Pulp

In 2022, the amount of recovered fibre pulp produced worldwide surged to 4.8M tons, with an increase of 20% compared with 2021. In general, production enjoyed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 20%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, recovered fibre pulp production rose notably to $1.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 21%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $1.8B; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of recovered fibre pulp production was Thailand (1.6M tons), comprising approx. 34% of total volume. Moreover, recovered fibre pulp production in Thailand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Malaysia (777K tons), twofold. The United States (506K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

In Thailand, recovered fibre pulp production increased at an average annual rate of +199.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Malaysia (+1.3% per year) and the United States (+0.7% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Recovered Fibre Pulp

In 2022, supplies from abroad of recovered fibre pulp increased by 17% to 3.4M tons, rising for the sixth consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, imports showed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 113%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, recovered fibre pulp imports soared to $1.5B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 102% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

China dominates imports structure, reaching 2.9M tons, which was approx. 84% of total imports in 2022. Canada (151K tons), Germany (110K tons) and Thailand (59K tons) held a little share of total imports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the recovered fibre pulp imports, with a CAGR of +64.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Canada (+21.1%) and Thailand (+4.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. China (+79 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Thailand and Germany saw its share reduced by -8% and -27.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.2B) constitutes the largest market for imported recovered fibre pulp worldwide, comprising 82% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Canada ($50M), with a 3.3% share of global imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 3.1% share.

In China, recovered fibre pulp imports expanded at an average annual rate of +60.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (+13.1% per year) and Thailand (+6.4% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average recovered fibre pulp import price amounted to $435 per ton, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a mild decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $547 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($788 per ton), while Germany ($256 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+3.3%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Recovered Fibre Pulp

In 2022, overseas shipments of recovered fibre pulp increased by 16% to 4.2M tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after four years of decline. Overall, exports saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 106% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, recovered fibre pulp exports stood at $1.5B in 2022. In general, exports saw a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 78%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Thailand (1.6M tons) was the main exporter of recovered fibre pulp, committing 40% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Malaysia (696K tons), the United States (509K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (426K tons), together committing a 39% share of total exports. Lao People's Democratic Republic (175K tons), Hong Kong SAR (130K tons), Indonesia (127K tons), Switzerland (108K tons), Germany (86K tons) and France (65K tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to recovered fibre pulp exports from Thailand stood at +211.1%. At the same time, Hong Kong SAR (+1,815.5%), Indonesia (+376.7%), Malaysia (+127.9%), France (+38.4%), the United States (+16.4%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+12.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hong Kong SAR emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +1,815.5% from 2012-2022. Switzerland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Lao People's Democratic Republic (-2.0%) and Germany (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Thailand, Malaysia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Hong Kong SAR and Indonesia increased by +39, +17, +4.2, +3.1 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest recovered fibre pulp supplying countries worldwide were Thailand ($478M), the United States ($273M) and Malaysia ($235M), with a combined 67% share of global exports. Taiwan (Chinese), Lao People's Democratic Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Hong Kong SAR and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

Among the main exporting countries, Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +2,586.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average recovered fibre pulp export price stood at $354 per ton in 2022, declining by -8.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 32%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $461 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($921 per ton), while Switzerland ($38 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+40.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform