Paper Recycling Market

Paper Recycling Market Overview for 2024 to 2034

The paper recycling market is anticipated to be worth USD 7.5 billion in 2024. For 2023, the value was tipped to be USD 7.1 billion. The market is expected to grow at a moderate rate over the period from 2024 to 2034, with a CAGR of 5.7%. By the end of the forecast period, the market value is predicted to have jumped to USD 13.1 billion.

Paper Recycling Market Analysis

• The demand for recycled paper has been catapulted due to its acceptance as a packaging product in various industries such as food & beverage and pharmaceutical.
• Environmental concerns are only becoming more prominent, and paper usage, including recycled paper, is being preferred as a packing material instead of non-biodegradable plastic.
• With the felling of trees being increasingly looked upon with aversion in light of environmental concerns, the inclination is rapidly shifting to using paper that is already in circulation, i.e., recycled paper.
• Government initiatives are helping drive the demand for recycled paper by encouraging the use of the product and imposing stringent regulations on the use of non-biodegradable competitors.
• Paper recycling production is diverse as paper can be recycled for personal use at homes as well as at large plants for industrial use. Thus, there is wide scope for the market both in terms of production and application.

Attributes	Details
Paper Recycling Market Value for 2024	USD 7.5 billion
Projected Market Value for 2034	USD 13.1 billion
Value-based CAGR of Market for 2024 to 2034	5.7%

Historical Performance of the Paper Recycling Market

The paper recycling market was tipped to be USD 6.3 billion in value in 2019. The market likely progressed at a consistent CAGR of 3.1% over the historical period from 2019 to 2023.

Significant industrial shutdowns in various industries that use recycled paper packaging limited the market's growth. As the pandemic resulted in restrictions, the packaging industry was negatively impacted, which, in turn, slowed down the growth of the paper recycling market. However, as the effects of the pandemic receded, the market experienced a recovery in growth. By the end of the historical period, the value of the paper recycling market had grown to USD 7.1 billion.

Market Value (2019)	USD 6.3 billion
Historical CAGR (2019 to 2023)	3.1%
Historical Market Valuation (2023)	USD 7.1 billion

Long-term Analysis of the Paper Recycling Market

The paper recycling market is estimated to have a size of USD 7.5 billion in 2024. The progress of the market is pegged to be normal over the period from 2024 to 2034, with a CAGR of 5.7%.

Sustainability measures, both implemented by the government and self-imposed, are leading industrialists to embrace materials like recycled paper. As a result, the application of recycled paper in a variety of industries, including cosmetics and chemicals, is increasing. With the effects of the pandemic subsiding, the market is expected to progress faster in the forecast period than in the historical period.

The use of recycled paper in packaging is bolstered by the material's flexibility to manufacturers. Recycled paper in the form of molded pulp fiber provides toughness to manufacturers while still being easy to handle. By 2034, it is anticipated that the value of the market is likely to have jumped to USD 13.1 billion.

Paper Recycling Market Trends

• Recycled paper is being increasingly used for gift wraps, greeting cards, and other homemade accessories, especially with the prominence of the DIY trend.
• Recycled paper usage allows manufacturers to save on costs, while consumers are also aided in cost-saving as applications of recycled paper at home are ever-increasing.
• Recycled paper is being used in the likes of newspapers, books, magazines, and more. Thus, as the publishing and printing industry develops, the demand for paper recycling is set to benefit.
• As the demand for recycled paper surges, techniques of paper recycling are also getting refined, such as sensor-based technology to find the quality of the paper being recycled and the use of robots to sort paper.
• Vendors are looking to set up efficient facilities to aid the process of recycling paper. Thus, there has been a drive to set up better-coordinated paper collection banks and systems.
• The amount of recycled paper available in the market depends on waste paper treatment. There still needs to be more awareness among certain consumers about the recyclable value of paper, and therefore, a lot of potential recyclable paper is wasted.
• Countries such as India and China import recyclable paper to boost production in the country. However, there have also been strict restrictions on the quality of paper that manufacturers can import.

Category-wise Outlook

An analysis of the paper recycling market is attempted with respect to two categories: material and recycling process. Manufacturers are closely screening the material used in packaging, and high-quality paper is being pursued. There are two major types of recycling processes, but one is preferred over the other.

Easy-to-handle Nature of Molded Fiber Pulp Endears the Product to Manufacturers

Molded fiber pulp is the predominant material used in paper recycling. For 2024, molded fiber pulp is expected to account for 53.1% of the market share by material.

Molded fiber pulp is winning over end-users due to the flexibility it provides. The material is easy to handle but still provides safety to the content inside the packaging, notably limiting the damage caused by food when it hits the inside of the packaging. Thus, molded fiber pulp is the material preferred by end users.

Attributes	Details
Top Material	Molded Fiber Pulp
CAGR (2024 to 2034)	53.1%

Multi-faceted Use Resulting from Open Loop Recycling Process Makes it More Common

Open loop recycling triumphs closed loop recycling. For 2024, open loop recycling process is expected to account for 72.4% of the market share.

Open loop recycling allows multiple further uses of the paper being recycled. Thus, manufacturers are able to diversify the use of recycled paper, especially with the increase in the application of the product in industries and commercial spaces.

Attributes	Details
Top Recycling Process	Open Loop
CAGR (2024 to 2034)	72.4%

Country-wise Analysis

The Asia Pacific is expected to be a lucrative region for the market. The region's increased packaging needs are being supported by recycled paper. In addition, countries like China and India in the Asia Pacific are also importing paper for recycling purposes.

Europe is another significant region for the market. Stringent regulations for industries are seeing manufacturers turn to non-traditional packaging solutions, and recycled paper is one of them.

Countries	CAGR
United Kingdom	5.1%
India	6.7%
China	7.2%
South Korea	6.1%
Thailand	5.8%

Reputed Pulp and Paper Industry Keeping the Domestic Prospects Bright in China

China is set to be one of the promising countries in the market. For the 2024 to 2034 period, the CAGR for China is estimated to be an encouraging 7.2%.

China has imposed strict restrictions on the import of waste material, including paper. However, the pulp and paper industry in the country, reputed to be the biggest in the world, ensures that recycled paper continues to grow strong. Thus, there is an emphasis on domestic supply in China.

India Importing Significant Amounts of Paper for Recycling Purposes

India is home to several paper mills that import significant amounts of waste paper. The United States and Canada are two prominent countries that supply waste paper to India. The domestic supply of paper, augmented by imports, is leading to more production of recycled paper in the country. For the forecast period, the CAGR for India is pegged to a healthy 6.7%.

South Korea Experiencing Technological Revolution in Recycling

The recycling paper market is being bolstered by the inclination toward the technology of Koreans. For example, EAPS is a Korean company that has come up with an AI-based robot. It is a recyclable robot that helps sort waste material, making the recycling process more efficient. For the forecast period, the CAGR for South Korea is estimated to be a promising 6.1%.

Government Initiatives Helping the Market Thrive in Thailand

The government in Thailand has taken positive steps to expand the scope of paper recycling in the country. For example, in February 2022, the Thai government's industry ministry, in collaboration with SCG Packaging, launched an initiative to take in a significant amount of paper and turn it into beds, desks, tables, and more. Thus, government programs are keeping the demand for paper recycling flowing in Thailand. For the forecast period, the CAGR for Thailand is estimated to be a normal 5.8%.

Ease of Paper Recycling Driving the Growth of the Market in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, people have ease of access when it comes to disposing of paper for recycling. Recycling bins are common in the streets of the country, adding ease to the paper recycling process. Thus, despite the fall in the rate of recycling in the country, the market still has prospects in the United Kingdom. The market is expected to register a modest CAGR of 5.1% in the United Kingdom over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape in the Paper Recycling Market

Leveraging technology and government aid to refine the recycling process is a common objective among market players. Market players are also eager to discover new avenues of paper procurement to boost production.

Paper recycling is a process that can be easily achieved at home. Thus, the market is highly fragmented, with start-ups and small-scale players abundant.

Recent Developments in the Paper Recycling Market

• In November 2023, the Australian government teamed up with local company AusWaste Recycling to build a paper recycling plant in Brendale, Australia.
• Also, in November 2023, Penguin Random House India announced its intention to make use of recycled paper for all its publishing.
• In May 2023, Mars launched its signature chocolate bars with recycled paper packaging in the United Kingdom. The recycled plastic bars were introduced in 500 Tesco stores as part of a trial, with an eye on future expansion.
• In January 2023, Swedish company Essity announced plans to expand its production facility in Northumberland, United Kingdom. The company aims to make the manufacturing facility one of the most advanced paper recycling plants in the country.

Key Companies in the Paper Recycling Market

• Cascades Inc.
• Saica Group
• Pratt Industries LLC
• WestRock Company
• Sonoco Products Company
• DS Smith PLC
• Steinbeis Papier GmbH
• Smurfit Kappa
• Huhtamaki Oyj
• Heinzel Holding GmbH
• Mondi Plc
• Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd
• Daio Paper Corporation
• ST PAPER RESOURCES PTE LTD
• Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited

Key Segments

By Material:

• Coated Unbleached Kraft Paper
• Bleached Paper
• Molded Fiber Pulp

By Recycling Process:

• Open Loop
• Closed Loop

By Application:

• Packaging Products
  • Boxes & Carton
  • Cups & Trays
  • Tapes & Labels
  • Inserts & Dividers
  • Others (Clamshells, envelopes, etc.)
• Newsprint Paper
• Writing & Printing Paper
• Other Applications

By End Use:

• Industrial
  • Food & Beverages
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Personal Care & Cosmetics
  • Homecare
  • Chemicals
  • Other Industrial
• Commercial
  • Offices
  • Hospitals
  • Educational Institutes
  • Malls
  • Other Commercials
• Food Service
  • Hotels
  • Cafes
  • Restaurants
• Household

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia
• East Asia
• Oceania
• The Middle East and Africa (MEA)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Market Size for Paper Recycling?

The paper recycling market size is expected to be worth USD 7.5 billion in 2024.

How Big Will the Paper Recycling Market Be by 2034?

The paper recycling market is estimated to get as big as USD 13.1 billion by 2034.

How will the Paper Recycling Market Progress in India?

The CAGR for the paper recycling market in India during the forecast period is estimated to be 6.7%.

What is the Trend in the Paper Recycling Industry?

The infusion of technology, such as robotics and using recycled paper in publishing, is an industry trend.

What is the Scope of the Paper Recycling Market?

The paper recycling market is expected to develop at a CAGR of 5.7% throughout 2034.