Paper Industry Finishing Agents Market

The article provides a detailed analysis of the global paper industry finishing agents market, highlighting key trends and forecasts from 2022 to 2030. It discusses the expected growth in market volume and value, with insights into consumption patterns worldwide. The article also delves into the top consuming and producing countries, as well as import and export trends, including average prices. Overall, it offers a comprehensive overview of the market dynamics and potential opportunities for stakeholders in the paper industry finishing agents sector.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for finishing agents used in the paper industry worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +4.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 15M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +7.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $20.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Finishing Agents Used In The Paper Industry

In 2022, approx. 11M tons of finishing agents used in the paper industry were consumed worldwide; declining by -2.3% compared with the previous year's figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 12M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global paper industry finishing agents market size fell modestly to $11.4B in 2022, stabilizing 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). Overall, the total consumption indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% 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 +0.7% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $12.4B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

Norway (3.6M tons) remains the largest paper industry finishing agents consuming country worldwide, accounting for 33% of total volume. Moreover, paper industry finishing agents consumption in Norway exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (1.7M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United States (956K tons), with an 8.9% share.

In Norway, paper industry finishing agents consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+7.7% per year) and the United States (+11.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest paper industry finishing agents markets worldwide were China ($2.9B), the United States ($2.5B) and Japan ($1.8B), together accounting for 63% of the global market. India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, Norway, South Korea, Germany, Belgium and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +20.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of paper industry finishing agents per capita consumption was registered in Norway (650 kg per person), followed by Portugal (33 kg per person), Belgium (16 kg per person) and Germany (5.2 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of paper industry finishing agents was estimated at 1.4 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the paper industry finishing agents per capita consumption in Norway was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Portugal (+6.9% per year) and Belgium (+23.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Finishing Agents Used In The Paper Industry

In 2022, approx. 12M tons of finishing agents used in the paper industry were produced worldwide; reducing by -2.6% against the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 12%. Global production peaked at 14M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper industry finishing agents production contracted slightly to $11.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% 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 +0.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 27%. Global production peaked at $12.6B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

Norway (5.4M tons) remains the largest paper industry finishing agents producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 44% of total volume. Moreover, paper industry finishing agents production in Norway exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, China (1.6M tons), threefold. The United States (977K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Norway amounted to -1.7%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: China (+8.0% per year) and the United States (+10.7% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Finishing Agents Used In The Paper Industry

In 2022, the amount of finishing agents used in the paper industry imported worldwide reduced modestly to 1.2M tons, falling by -3.5% on 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 22%. Global imports peaked at 1.3M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper industry finishing agents imports stood at $1.1B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

Germany was the largest importer of finishing agents used in the paper industry in the world, with the volume of imports accounting for 413K tons, which was near 35% of total imports in 2022. Belgium (182K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 15% share, followed by France (4.6%). Sweden (38K tons), China (38K tons), the United States (32K tons), Russia (31K tons), Finland (24K tons), the Netherlands (24K tons), Poland (23K tons), Indonesia (23K tons), Italy (23K tons) and the UK (22K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of finishing agents used in the paper industry. At the same time, Belgium (+28.2%), Poland (+7.1%), Sweden (+6.5%), the United States (+6.1%), the UK (+5.6%), Russia (+3.6%), the Netherlands (+3.4%), Italy (+3.1%) and France (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +28.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, China (-1.6%), Indonesia (-2.6%) and Finland (-19.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Belgium (+14 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Germany (-1.8 p.p.) and Finland (-16.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($106M), Germany ($91M) and the United States ($60M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 24% share of global imports. France, Sweden, Indonesia, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Finland, the Netherlands, Russia and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +11.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

The average paper industry finishing agents import price stood at $901 per ton in 2022, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $958 per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 ($2,821 per ton), while Belgium ($202 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+17.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Finishing Agents Used In The Paper Industry

In 2022, the amount of finishing agents used in the paper industry exported worldwide reduced slightly to 2.6M tons, with a decrease of -4.2% on the previous year. In general, exports saw a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 4.1M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paper industry finishing agents exports stood at $1B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $1.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

Norway dominates exports structure, resulting at 1.9M tons, which was approx. 72% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (121K tons), making up a 4.7% share of total exports. The following exporters - Austria (109K tons), Germany (88K tons) and the United States (52K tons) - together made up 9.6% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to paper industry finishing agents exports from Norway stood at -5.2%. At the same time, Germany (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Germany emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +1.4% from 2012-2022. The United States and Austria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Netherlands (-10.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Germany (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of the Netherlands (-4.3 p.p.) and Norway (-5.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($181M), Germany ($122M) and Norway ($103M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 39% of global exports.

The United States, with a CAGR of +3.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among 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 paper industry finishing agents export price amounted to $404 per ton, rising by 5.6% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, paper industry finishing agents export price increased by +54.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 24%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 the United States ($3,471 per ton), while Norway ($55 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+6.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform