Uncoated Filter Paper Market

The global market for uncoated filter paper is expected to see an upward consumption trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.8% for volume and +3.6% for value. Consumption peaked in 2017 at 2M tons but declined in the following years. Top consuming countries include China, the United States, and India. Production and imports have seen fluctuations, and the UK stands out as a growing exporter. Average prices show variations by country, with the UK having the highest export price in 2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for uncoated filter paper worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.7M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $10.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Uncoated Filter Paper And Paperboard

After four years of decline, consumption of uncoated filter paper and paperboard increased by 2% to 1.5M tons in 2022. Overall, consumption, however, showed a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 5.5% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 2M tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The global uncoated filter paper market size was estimated at $8B in 2022, surging by 3.6% 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 slight contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $10.9B. From 2017 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 China (432K tons), the United States (221K tons) and India (172K tons), with a combined 55% share of global consumption. Germany, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea, Canada and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest uncoated filter paper markets worldwide were India ($1.7B), China ($1.2B) and the United States ($1.1B), together comprising 49% of the global market. Japan, Germany, Brazil, Russia, Turkey, Mexico, France, South Korea and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

France, with a CAGR of +7.5%, recorded 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 uncoated filter paper per capita consumption in 2022 were Germany (1,108 kg per 1000 persons), Canada (671 kg per 1000 persons) and the United States (660 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 France (with a CAGR of +11.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Uncoated Filter Paper And Paperboard

After four years of decline, production of uncoated filter paper and paperboard increased by 2.9% to 1.5M tons in 2022. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a mild slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 5.1% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 1.9M tons. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, uncoated filter paper production rose to $8B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $11.4B. From 2017 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of uncoated filter paper production was China (448K tons), accounting for 30% of total volume. Moreover, uncoated filter paper production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (221K tons), twofold. India (169K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

In China, uncoated filter paper production increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-1.0% per year) and India (+0.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Uncoated Filter Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of uncoated filter paper and paperboard, when their volume decreased by -7% to 130K tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 140K tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, uncoated filter paper imports reached $487M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% 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 17% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (18K tons), followed by the United States (12K tons), the Netherlands (11K tons), Spain (10K tons), Indonesia (8.6K tons), the Czech Republic (6.5K tons), China (6.4K tons) and Canada (5.9K tons) were the largest importers of uncoated filter paper and paperboard, together making up 60% of total imports. The following importers - Austria (4.8K tons), Russia (4.5K tons), Poland (3.8K tons), Turkey (3.3K tons) and France (2.9K tons) - together made up 15% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Austria (with a CAGR of +28.0%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($53M), Germany ($32M) and Indonesia ($32M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 24% share of global imports. The Czech Republic, China, the Netherlands, Canada, France, Poland, Austria, Spain, Russia and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

Among the main importing countries, Austria, with a CAGR of +24.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average uncoated filter paper import price amounted to $3,752 per ton, surging by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $3,779 per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($6,474 per ton), while Spain ($1,345 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 (+8.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Uncoated Filter Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, approx. 104K tons of uncoated filter paper and paperboard were exported worldwide; increasing by 2.3% against the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, uncoated filter paper exports declined to $380M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $404M, and then declined in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (22K tons), Germany (18K tons), Switzerland (13K tons), the United States (11K tons), Spain (10K tons) and the UK (9.6K tons) was the main exporter of uncoated filter paper and paperboard in the world, committing 81% of total export. South Korea (4.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +11.8%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest uncoated filter paper supplying countries worldwide were the UK ($77M), China ($60M) and the United States ($54M), together accounting for 50% of global exports.

The UK, with a CAGR of +12.3%, 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

The average uncoated filter paper export price stood at $3,641 per ton in 2022, falling by -8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 11%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $3,959 per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

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 UK ($7,978 per ton), while Switzerland ($1,258 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform