Uncoated Felt Paper Market

The global market for uncoated felt paper and paperboard is projected to experience steady growth in both volume and value terms from 2022 to 2030. Consumption, production, imports, and exports trends are analyzed in detail, highlighting key countries and their growth rates. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the market dynamics, including consumption patterns, production trends, import and export statistics, and average prices over the past decade.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for uncoated felt paper and paperboard 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 +3.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 129K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $193M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Uncoated Felt Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, the amount of uncoated felt paper and paperboard consumed worldwide reduced to 100K tons, which is down by -3.8% compared with the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 9.3% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 113K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global uncoated felt paper market revenue was estimated at $122M in 2022, growing by 1.6% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Canada (16K tons), Vietnam (15K tons) and Indonesia (11K tons), together accounting for 41% of global consumption. Italy, Poland, the United States, Mongolia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Denmark, Russia, Ukraine and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 45%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +39.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($29M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Canada ($10M). It was followed by Vietnam.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Italy totaled +10.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Canada (-3.3% per year) and Vietnam (+12.6% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of uncoated felt paper per capita consumption was registered in Mongolia (1,821 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Denmark (517 kg per 1000 persons), Canada (402 kg per 1000 persons) and the Czech Republic (355 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of uncoated felt paper was estimated at 13 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the uncoated felt paper per capita consumption in Mongolia amounted to +31.8%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Denmark (+2.2% per year) and Canada (-4.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Uncoated Felt Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, production of uncoated felt paper and paperboard increased by 0.5% to 115K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 2.3%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 117K tons. From 2015 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, uncoated felt paper production declined slightly to $105M in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 9.4% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $108M, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Indonesia (44K tons), the United States (24K tons) and Canada (13K tons), with a combined 70% share of global production. The Czech Republic, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +1.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Uncoated Felt Paper And Paperboard

Global uncoated felt paper imports fell to 56K tons in 2022, which is down by -6.9% against 2021 figures. Overall, imports recorded a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 74K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, uncoated felt paper imports declined to $52M in 2022. In general, imports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 20%. Global imports peaked at $74M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Vietnam (15K tons), distantly followed by Poland (7.2K tons), Mongolia (6.2K tons), Canada (5.1K tons), Denmark (3.1K tons), Italy (2.8K tons) and the United States (2.6K tons) were the key importers of uncoated felt paper and paperboard, together committing 75% of total imports. Germany (2.2K tons), Egypt (2K tons) and Norway (0.9K tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to uncoated felt paper imports into Vietnam stood at +11.4%. At the same time, Mongolia (+34.2%), Italy (+23.4%), Poland (+21.5%), Egypt (+21.1%) and Denmark (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mongolia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +34.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Norway (-5.7%), Canada (-13.9%), Germany (-14.0%) and the United States (-14.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Vietnam (+20 p.p.), Poland (+11 p.p.), Mongolia (+11 p.p.), Italy (+4.5 p.p.), Egypt (+3.2 p.p.) and Denmark (+2.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Germany, the United States and Canada saw its share reduced by -9.3%, -11.5% and -21.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest uncoated felt paper importing markets worldwide were Vietnam ($9.5M), Poland ($7.2M) and Canada ($4.9M), with a combined 41% share of global imports. Denmark, the United States, Mongolia, Egypt, Germany, Italy and Norway lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Mongolia, with a CAGR of +32.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average uncoated felt paper import price amounted to $925 per ton, surging by 5.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $1,055 per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average 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 Norway ($1,259 per ton), while Mongolia ($349 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+7.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Uncoated Felt Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, approx. 71K tons of uncoated felt paper and paperboard were exported worldwide; almost unchanged from the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 12%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 89K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, uncoated felt paper exports stood at $51M in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $68M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

Indonesia was the key exporting country with an export of about 34K tons, which accounted for 47% of total exports. The United States (20K tons) held a 28% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the Czech Republic (7.9%) and Saudi Arabia (7.7%). Canada (2.8K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +22.8%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Indonesia ($23M) remains the largest uncoated felt paper supplier worldwide, comprising 45% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($9.3M), with an 18% share of global exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Indonesia totaled +6.7%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-4.2% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+29.0% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average uncoated felt paper export price amounted to $719 per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 17% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $765 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($897 per ton), while the United States ($471 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+5.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform