European Union's Uncoated Wood Free Printing and Writing Paper Market to Grow at +1.2% CAGR, Reaching 6.4M Tons by 2035 - News and Statistics - IndexBox

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IndexBox has just published a new report: EU - Uncoated Wood Free Printing and Writing Papers - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.

Driven by increasing demand in the European Union, the market for uncoated woodfree printing and writing paper is set to see steady growth over the next decade. Forecasts indicate a positive trend in both volume and value, with a projected CAGR of +1.2% for volume and +2.5% for value from 2024 to 2035.

Driven by rising demand for uncoated wood free printing and writing paper in the European Union, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 6.4M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $9.3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

After two years of decline, consumption of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers increased by 9% to 5.6M tons in 2024. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced setback. The volume of consumption peaked at 8.7M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The value of the market for uncoated wood free printing and writing papers in the European Union skyrocketed to $7.1B in 2024, surging by 22% 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, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild slump. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $9.7B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Germany (1.3M tons), Italy (770K tons) and France (519K tons), with a combined 46% share of total consumption. Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Austria (with a CAGR of +9.2%), while papers for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest uncoated wood free printing and writing paper markets in the European Union were Germany ($1.5B), France ($917M) and Italy ($898M), together comprising 47% of the total market. The Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Austria, Portugal and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

Austria, with a CAGR of +9.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while papers for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the highest levels of per capita consumption of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers was registered in Finland (87 kg per person), followed by the Netherlands (23 kg per person), Belgium (21 kg per person) and Portugal (20 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of uncoated wood free printing and writing paper was estimated at 13 kg per person.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the per capita consumption of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers in Finland totaled +6.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+1.0% per year) and Belgium (-0.9% per year).

In 2024, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in production of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers, when its volume increased by 11% to 7.1M tons. Overall, production, however, recorded a pronounced setback. The volume of production peaked at 10M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, production of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers skyrocketed to $9B in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The level of production peaked at $11.8B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Portugal (1.3M tons), Germany (1.1M tons) and Finland (723K tons), together comprising 45% of total production. Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Spain, Sweden, France and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Italy (with a CAGR of +5.0%), while papers for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

In 2024, supplies from abroad of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers decreased by -19.1% to 2.9M tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports recorded a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 5.2%. Over the period under review, imports of reached the peak figure at 5M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers reduced dramatically to $4B in 2024. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $5.8B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.

In 2024, Germany (601K tons), distantly followed by France (371K tons), Italy (313K tons), Belgium (273K tons), Spain (226K tons), Poland (174K tons) and the Netherlands (164K tons) represented the largest importers of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers, together achieving 74% of total imports. The Czech Republic (109K tons), Romania (100K tons) and Greece (89K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Greece (with a CAGR of +0.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Germany ($770M), France ($521M) and Italy ($391M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 42% share of total imports. Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Greece and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

Greece, with a CAGR of +1.5%, 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 leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, paper and paperboard; uncoated, for printing & writing, with no, or not more than 10% weight of all fibre got by mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, weight 40-150g/m2, one side not more than 435mm, other side not more than 297mm, unfolded, sheets (1.2M tons) and graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight 40-150 g/m2 in rolls (0.9M tons) represented the major types of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers in the European Union, together creating 72% of total imports. It was distantly followed by paper & paperboard; uncoated, writing, printing, graphic, non-perforated punch-cards, punch tape paper, 0-10% wgt mechanical/chemi-mechanical process fibre, except paper of heading no. 4801 or 4803, rolls or sheets, weight between 40-150g/m2 (inclusive) (542K tons) and uncoated paper and paperboard, not containing fibres obtained by a mechanical or chemi-mechanical process or of which <= 10% by weight of the total fibre content consists of such fibres, weighing > 150 g/m² (185K tons), together constituting a 25% share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading imported products, was attained by paper & paperboard; uncoated, writing, printing, graphic, non-perforated punch-cards, punch tape paper, 0-10% wgt mechanical/chemi-mechanical process fibre, except paper of heading no. 4801 or 4803, rolls or sheets, weight between 40-150g/m2 (inclusive) (with a CAGR of -3.3%), while imports for the other products experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, paper and paperboard; uncoated, for printing & writing, with no, or not more than 10% weight of all fibre got by mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, weight 40-150g/m2, one side not more than 435mm, other side not more than 297mm, unfolded, sheets ($1.5B), graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight 40-150 g/m2 in rolls ($1.1B) and paper & paperboard; uncoated, writing, printing, graphic, non-perforated punch-cards, punch tape paper, 0-10% wgt mechanical/chemi-mechanical process fibre, except paper of heading no. 4801 or 4803, rolls or sheets, weight between 40-150g/m2 (inclusive) ($868M) were the products with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 87% share of total imports. Uncoated paper and paperboard, not containing fibres obtained by a mechanical or chemi-mechanical process or of which <= 10% by weight of the total fibre content consists of such fibres, weighing > 150 g/m², graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m², paper and paperboard; uncoated, of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets and handmade paper and paperboard lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

Among the main imported products, handmade paper and paperboard, with a CAGR of -0.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced a decline in the imports figures.

The import price in the European Union stood at $1,375 per ton in 2024, reducing by -4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $1,431 per ton in 2023, and then dropped in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was paper and paperboard; uncoated, of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets ($4,163 per ton), while the price for paper and paperboard; uncoated, for printing & writing, with no, or not more than 10% weight of all fibre got by mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, weight 40-150g/m2, one side not more than 435mm, other side not more than 297mm, unfolded, sheets ($1,199 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by paper and paperboard; uncoated, of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets (+7.7%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $1,375 per ton, waning by -4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 an increase of 25% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $1,431 per ton in 2023, and then declined in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($1,715 per ton), while Romania ($1,114 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

For the third year in a row, the European Union recorded decline in overseas shipments of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers, which decreased by -9.2% to 4.3M tons in 2024. Over the period under review, exports recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 9.4% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at 7.6M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers declined to $6B in 2024. In general, exports showed a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when exports increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $8.4B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In 2024, Portugal (1.2M tons) represented the main exporter of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers, making up 28% of total exports. Germany (461K tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Slovakia (412K tons), Sweden (332K tons), Poland (295K tons), Finland (253K tons), Italy (252K tons), Spain (251K tons) and France (220K tons). All these countries together took near 58% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to uncoated wood free printing and writing paper exports from Portugal stood at -1.9%. At the same time, Italy (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Italy emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +3.0% from 2013-2024. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Slovakia (-2.6%), France (-5.5%), Poland (-5.6%), Germany (-6.9%), Sweden (-9.0%) and Finland (-12.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Portugal (+8.2 p.p.), Italy (+3.5 p.p.), Slovakia (+2.3 p.p.) and Spain (+2.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2013-2024, the share of Germany (-2.7 p.p.), Sweden (-4.7 p.p.) and Finland (-8.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Portugal ($1.4B), Germany ($952M) and Slovakia ($440M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, with a combined 46% share of total exports. Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Poland and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +1.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Paper and paperboard; uncoated, for printing & writing, with no, or not more than 10% weight of all fibre got by mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, weight 40-150g/m2, one side not more than 435mm, other side not more than 297mm, unfolded, sheets (1.5M tons) and graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight 40-150 g/m2 in rolls (1.5M tons) were the largest types of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers in 2024, resulting at approx. 36% and 36% of total exports, respectively. Paper & paperboard; uncoated, writing, printing, graphic, non-perforated punch-cards, punch tape paper, 0-10% wgt mechanical/chemi-mechanical process fibre, except paper of heading no. 4801 or 4803, rolls or sheets, weight between 40-150g/m2 (inclusive) (807K tons) took the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by uncoated paper and paperboard, not containing fibres obtained by a mechanical or chemi-mechanical process or of which <= 10% by weight of the total fibre content consists of such fibres, weighing > 150 g/m² (291K tons). All these products together held near 26% share of total exports. Graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m² (98K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exported products, was attained by graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m² (with a CAGR of +1.8%), while the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight 40-150 g/m2 in rolls ($2B), paper and paperboard; uncoated, for printing & writing, with no, or not more than 10% weight of all fibre got by mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, weight 40-150g/m2, one side not more than 435mm, other side not more than 297mm, unfolded, sheets ($1.9B) and paper & paperboard; uncoated, writing, printing, graphic, non-perforated punch-cards, punch tape paper, 0-10% wgt mechanical/chemi-mechanical process fibre, except paper of heading no. 4801 or 4803, rolls or sheets, weight between 40-150g/m2 (inclusive) ($1.4B) constituted the products with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together accounting for 87% of total exports. Uncoated paper and paperboard, not containing fibres obtained by a mechanical or chemi-mechanical process or of which <= 10% by weight of the total fibre content consists of such fibres, weighing > 150 g/m², graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m², paper and paperboard; uncoated, of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets and handmade paper and paperboard lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

In terms of the main exported products, graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m², with a CAGR of +6.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.

The export price in the European Union stood at $1,404 per ton in 2024, which is down by -3.5% against the previous year. Export price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, export price for uncoated wood free printing and writing papers increased by +39.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the export price increased by 31% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $1,456 per ton in 2023, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was handmade paper and paperboard ($3,582 per ton), while the average price for exports of paper and paperboard; uncoated, for printing & writing, with no, or not more than 10% weight of all fibre got by mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, weight 40-150g/m2, one side not more than 435mm, other side not more than 297mm, unfolded, sheets ($1,226 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by handmade paper (+6.3%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

The export price in the European Union stood at $1,404 per ton in 2024, shrinking by -3.5% against the previous year. Export price indicated a notable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, export price for uncoated wood free printing and writing papers increased by +39.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the export price increased by 31%. The level of export peaked at $1,456 per ton in 2023, and then contracted in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($2,067 per ton), while Slovakia ($1,069 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+3.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the market for uncoated wood free printing and writing paper in the EU. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

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