Paper Pulp Moulded Articles Market

The article discusses the increasing demand for moulded or pressed articles of paper pulp worldwide, with a projected growth in consumption and market value over the next eight years. It provides insights into consumption patterns, market size, production, imports, and exports of paper pulp moulded articles. The analysis includes key countries driving the market, notable growth rates, and trends in pricing over the past decade.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for moulded or pressed articles of paper 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 +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 6.4M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $20.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Moulded Or Pressed Articles Of Paper Pulp

In 2022, approx. 4.7M tons of moulded or pressed articles of paper pulp were consumed worldwide; picking up by 2.8% against the year before. In general, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -0.6% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked at 4.7M tons in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

The global paper pulp moulded articles market size expanded to $12.9B in 2022, picking up by 4.7% 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). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -0.9% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $13B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (788K tons), the United States (701K tons) and India (331K tons), together accounting for 39% of global consumption. Japan, Russia, Indonesia, Germany, Nigeria, Canada, Mexico, France, Ethiopia and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +19.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($2.5B), China ($2.3B) and India ($1.7B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 50% share of the global market. The United States, Germany, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Mexico, Russia, the UK, Canada and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +17.0%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of paper pulp moulded articles per capita consumption in 2022 were Canada (2.8 kg per person), the United States (2.1 kg per person) and Germany (1.8 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +18.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Moulded Or Pressed Articles Of Paper Pulp

Global paper pulp moulded articles production stood at 4.5M tons in 2022, approximately equating the year before. In general, the total production indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -3.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 4.6M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper pulp moulded articles production rose slightly to $12.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -2.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $12.9B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (909K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of paper pulp moulded articles production, comprising approx. 20% of total volume. Moreover, paper pulp moulded articles production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (437K tons), twofold. India (337K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7.5% share.

In China, paper pulp moulded articles production expanded at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+11.1% per year) and India (+7.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Moulded Or Pressed Articles Of Paper Pulp

In 2022, global paper pulp moulded articles imports soared to 900K tons, growing by 16% against the year before. Overall, imports continue to indicate a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, paper pulp moulded articles imports surged to $1.8B in 2022. In general, imports recorded a strong increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The United States was the key importer of moulded or pressed articles of paper pulp in the world, with the volume of imports amounting to 305K tons, which was approx. 34% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (60K tons) and Canada (60K tons), together generating a 13% share of total imports. Poland (38K tons), the UK (34K tons), Spain (32K tons), Italy (31K tons), the Netherlands (24K tons), Belgium (22K tons), France (22K tons) and Australia (21K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to paper pulp moulded articles imports into the United States stood at +15.8%. At the same time, Australia (+22.2%), Canada (+17.4%), Belgium (+11.5%), Spain (+10.1%), the UK (+9.9%), France (+7.6%), Italy (+6.1%), Poland (+5.9%), Germany (+3.8%) and the Netherlands (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Australia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +22.2% from 2012-2022. While the share of the United States (+15 p.p.), Canada (+3.5 p.p.) and Australia (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of the Netherlands (-2 p.p.) and Germany (-4.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($538M) constitutes the largest market for imported moulded or pressed articles of paper pulp worldwide, comprising 29% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($150M), with an 8.2% share of global imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States amounted to +15.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+8.9% per year) and the UK (+11.3% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average paper pulp moulded articles import price amounted to $2,033 per ton, growing by 8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 France ($3,350 per ton), while Canada ($1,224 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+6.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Moulded Or Pressed Articles Of Paper Pulp

In 2022, global paper pulp moulded articles exports expanded notably to 710K tons, rising by 5.3% on 2021. In general, total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% 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 +89.9% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, paper pulp moulded articles exports skyrocketed to $1.5B in 2022. Overall, exports posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 22% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (122K tons), distantly followed by Malaysia (50K tons), the Czech Republic (44K tons), the United States (41K tons), Hungary (36K tons), Mexico (36K tons), the Netherlands (35K tons), Spain (34K tons) and Canada (33K tons) represented the key exporters of moulded or pressed articles of paper pulp, together making up 61% of total exports. The following exporters - Germany (31K tons), Croatia (25K tons), Portugal (21K tons) and France (18K tons) - together made up 13% of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +10.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Malaysia (+30.2%), Portugal (+8.7%), Croatia (+8.3%), Spain (+7.6%), the United States (+6.1%), the Czech Republic (+4.2%), Mexico (+3.5%), the Netherlands (+3.5%), Hungary (+3.2%), Germany (+1.3%) and Canada (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +30.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, France (-1.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Malaysia (+6 p.p.) and China (+5.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Mexico, Hungary, Germany, France and Canada saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -1.7%, -1.7%, -2%, -2.9%, -3% and -3.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($428M) remains the largest paper pulp moulded articles supplier worldwide, comprising 29% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($104M), with a 7% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +12.7%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+2.3% per year) and the United States (+6.3% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average paper pulp moulded articles export price amounted to $2,110 per ton, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($3,491 per ton), while Malaysia ($822 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+6.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform