Soda And Sulphate Chemical Wood Pulp Market

The global market for chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) is expected to see growth in both volume and value terms from 2022 to 2030. Consumption patterns, production figures, and import/export dynamics have been analyzed in detail. Key findings include the market volume reaching 222M tons by 2030, with a projected market value of $169.7B. The United States, China, and Japan emerge as the top consumers, while Brazil leads in production and Brazil, the United States, and Canada lead in exports. Import prices and export prices show fluctuations over the years, with the United States having the highest export price and Brazil having the lowest. Overall, the market shows a positive trend with some fluctuations in growth rates across different countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 222M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $169.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Chemical Wood Pulp (Soda And Sulphate, Other Than Dissolving Grades)

In 2022, approx. 204M tons of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) were consumed worldwide; with an increase of 2.8% on 2021. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The size of the market for chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) worldwide totaled $129.9B in 2022, picking up by 4.3% 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 +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $136.5B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (40M tons), China (31M tons) and Japan (8.6M tons), together accounting for 39% of global consumption. Turkey, Mexico, the UK, Uruguay, Russia, India, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Uruguay (with a CAGR of +38.0%), while grades) for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($26.2B), China ($23B) and Turkey ($5.1B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 42% of the global market. Japan, the UK, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Uruguay and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +27.6%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while grades) for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of per capita consumption of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) was registered in Uruguay (1,274 kg per person), followed by the United States (119 kg per person), the UK (72 kg per person) and Turkey (72 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of soda and sulphate chemical wood pulp was estimated at 26 kg per person.

In Uruguay, per capita consumption of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) expanded at an average annual rate of +37.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the United States (-0.3% per year) and the UK (+1.4% per year).

Production

World Production of Chemical Wood Pulp (Soda And Sulphate, Other Than Dissolving Grades)

In 2022, global production of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) reached 201M tons, almost unchanged from the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production of reached the peak volume at 204M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, production of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) shrank to $117B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 47% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $173.7B. From 2019 to 2022, global production of growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The United States (41M tons) remains the largest soda and sulphate chemical wood pulp producing country worldwide, accounting for 20% of total volume. Moreover, production of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Brazil (19M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by China (9.9M tons), with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in the United States was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+7.5% per year) and China (+6.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Chemical Wood Pulp (Soda And Sulphate, Other Than Dissolving Grades)

In 2022, the amount of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) imported worldwide expanded sharply to 61M tons, growing by 6.2% compared with 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports of hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, imports of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) soared to $49B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +59.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, global imports of attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (22M tons) was the largest importer of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades), comprising 35% of total imports. The United States (5.8M tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 9.4% share, followed by Germany (6%), Italy (5.4%), Turkey (5.2%) and the Netherlands (5%). South Korea (1.9M tons), France (1.6M tons), Japan (1.4M tons), Poland (1.2M tons), Spain (1.1M tons) and India (0.9M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Turkey (+14.5%), the Netherlands (+8.3%), Poland (+6.7%), India (+4.0%), the United States (+3.1%) and Spain (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +14.5% from 2012-2022. Italy, Japan and South Korea experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-1.2%) and Germany (-1.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China, Turkey and the Netherlands increased by +5.2, +3.3 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($16.7B) constitutes the largest market for imported chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) worldwide, comprising 34% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($4.2B), with an 8.5% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6% share.

In China, imports of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+4.6% per year) and Germany (+0.6% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) amounted to $798 per ton, growing by 18% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Japan ($937 per ton) and India ($933 per ton), while the United States ($722 per ton) and the Netherlands ($758 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+3.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Chemical Wood Pulp (Soda And Sulphate, Other Than Dissolving Grades)

In 2022, overseas shipments of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) decreased by -1.7% to 58M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after six years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 6.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports of hit record highs at 61M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) rose sharply to $38.3B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $38.6B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global exports of remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Brazil (19M tons) represented the main exporter of chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades), comprising 33% of total exports. The United States (6.8M tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 12% share, followed by Canada (9.8%), Indonesia (7.6%), Chile (6.5%), Finland (6.2%) and Sweden (5.4%).

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) exports, with a CAGR of +8.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Finland (+5.7%), Indonesia (+3.3%) and Sweden (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Chile (-1.2%) and Canada (-1.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Brazil and Finland increased by +14 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest soda and sulphate chemical wood pulp supplying countries worldwide were Brazil ($7.9B), the United States ($6B) and Canada ($4.7B), with a combined 49% share of global exports. Finland, Indonesia, Chile and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Finland, with a CAGR of +6.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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

The average export price for chemical wood pulp (soda and sulphate, other than dissolving grades) stood at $658 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $695 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($886 per ton), while Brazil ($413 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+3.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform