Filter Paper Market

The global market for filter paper and paperboard cut to shape is expected to see continued growth over the next eight years, with consumption volume reaching 1.8M tons and market value reaching $10.4B by 2030. While consumption dropped in 2022, with notable fluctuations in previous years, countries like China, the United States, and India are key consumers and producers in the market. Imports and exports also play a significant role, with China, Italy, and Germany leading in exports while the United States, Germany, and Russia are key importers. Overall, the market is expected to see gradual growth in consumption, production, imports, and exports in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for filter paper and paperboard cut to shape 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 +4.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.8M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $10.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Filter Paper And Paperboard Cut To Shape

In 2022, the amount of filter paper and paperboard cut to shape consumed worldwide dropped modestly to 1.2M tons, which is down by -4.1% compared with 2021 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by 9.6% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 1.4M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global filter paper market size fell to $6.1B in 2022, reducing by -2.7% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $6.7B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (307K tons), the United States (170K tons) and India (133K tons), together comprising 49% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.1B), China ($975M) and Japan ($913M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 48% of the global market.

The United States, with a CAGR of +10.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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.

The countries with the highest levels of filter paper per capita consumption in 2022 were Saudi Arabia (579 kg per 1000 persons), the UK (574 kg per 1000 persons) and Canada (563 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +9.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Filter Paper And Paperboard Cut To Shape

In 2022, the amount of filter paper and paperboard cut to shape produced worldwide reduced modestly to 1.2M tons, with a decrease of -3.3% against the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 9.4%. Global production peaked at 1.4M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, filter paper production fell slightly to $6B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 8%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $6.5B. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (354K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of filter paper production, comprising approx. 28% of total volume. Moreover, filter paper production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (159K tons), twofold. India (128K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

In China, filter paper production increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+9.0% per year) and India (+3.9% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Filter Paper And Paperboard Cut To Shape

In 2022, supplies from abroad of filter paper and paperboard cut to shape was finally on the rise to reach 189K tons after three years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at 217K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, filter paper imports expanded to $1.1B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at $1.1B in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (25K tons), followed by Germany (14K tons), Russia (13K tons) and France (9.8K tons) represented the main importers of filter paper and paperboard cut to shape, together achieving 32% of total imports. The following importers - Indonesia (7K tons), Turkey (6.2K tons), the United Arab Emirates (6.2K tons), the UK (5.9K tons), Canada (5.8K tons), Italy (5.7K tons), India (5.5K tons), Sweden (5.2K tons) and Poland (4.8K tons) - together made up 28% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($137M) constitutes the largest market for imported filter paper and paperboard cut to shape worldwide, comprising 13% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($67M), with a 6.2% share of global imports. It was followed by Russia, with a 5.7% share.

In the United States, filter paper imports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+3.1% per year) and Russia (+3.8% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average filter paper import price amounted to $5,736 per ton, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 10% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $5,854 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 India ($7,703 per ton), while Indonesia ($3,122 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+4.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Filter Paper And Paperboard Cut To Shape

In 2022, overseas shipments of filter paper and paperboard cut to shape increased by 8.6% to 195K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 18%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, filter paper exports expanded sharply to $1.1B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from China (50K tons), Italy (39K tons) and Germany (35K tons), together amounting to 63% of total export. The UK (18K tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 9.2% share, followed by the United States (7.3%). The Netherlands (8.2K tons), Spain (6.2K tons), Poland (3.6K tons) and France (3.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($229M), China ($219M) and Italy ($166M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 56% of global exports. The UK, the United States, the Netherlands, Spain, France and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Among the main exporting countries, Spain, with a CAGR of +17.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, 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 filter paper export price amounted to $5,624 per ton, surging by 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 7.7%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

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 ($6,919 per ton), while Poland ($2,804 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform