Wood Pulp - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2019 - 2029

The Wood Pulp Market size is estimated at USD 189.48 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 227.33 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.71% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Key Highlights

• The drivers identified in the market are increasing demand for wood pulp from the paper industry, rising consumer demand for tissue paper products, and growth in the trade of wood pulp products. The restraints identified in the market are stringent environmental regulations with respect to deforestation and increasing energy and transportation costs.
• The United States is the major producer of wood pulp in the world, and Brazil, China, and Sweden are other major pulp producers. According to ITC Trade data, in 2021, the total import of wood pulp was estimated to be 3.98 million metric tons. The major importers of wood pulp are China, India, Egypt, and Korea. In 2021, China imported more than 40% of the total import quantity, which was estimated at 1.61 million metric tons.
• The main grades of pulp are chemical pulp, mechanical and semi-chemical pulp, and other pulp. According to FAO data, in 2020, 78% of the pulp produced was of chemical pulp grade and 16% was of mechanical and semi-chemical grade out of the 188 million metric tons of production volume recorded in the same year.
• The paper industry is one of the major consumers of wood pulp. In 2020, according to data from FAOstat, the leading pulp producers are the United States with 49.9 million metric tons, Brazil with 21 million metric tons, and China with 18.3 million metric tons. Other major producers include Canada, Sweden, Finland, etc.

Wood Pulp Market Trends

Rising Consumer Demand for Paper Products is Driving the Market

The rising global demand, along with consumption, for tissue paper, which is essentially used in kitchens, toilets, and households, is expected to drive the market's growth over the forecast period. As people become more aware of personal hygiene and sanitation, the use and production of pulp-based sanitary products are increasing. A recent trend is also pushing tissue-based manufacturers to develop sustainable and eco-friendly products by using wood fibers and recycled paper pulp and to avoid the use of plastic-based products. The demand from developing countries for tissue paper and other pulp-based sanitary products has been increasing in recent times. Though the demand has been on the rise and the production of wood pulp has been increasing in recent years, in 2020 the production was down due to the trade challenges faced across the globe in 2019, and the volume was estimated to be 188 million metric tons, which is expected to increase in the following years as there is no hindrance and the demand is increasing.

The United States is the largest consumer of tissue paper in the world; on average, 25 kg of tissue is consumed per person annually. About 37% of this consumption occurs via kitchen towels. Canada has 24% of the world's boreal forests and is one of the world's largest pulp and paper markets. The country produces a considerable amount of raw material, satisfying demand at both domestic and international levels. According to ITC Trade data. The total import of tissue papers across the globe in 2021 was valued at USD 11.6 billion, and the United States accounted for more than 12% of the import value. The major importers of tissue paper products are the United States, Germany, France, Canada, etc., and the major exporters are China, Germany, Italy, the United States, etc.

United States is the Largest Producer

The United States is the largest producer of wood pulp, globally, due to the presence of coniferous forest, which provides the raw material for the paper industry. In 2020 United states accounted for 26.8% of the world's total wood pulp production and was estimated to be 50.8 million metric ton a 3.2% increase from the 2017 volume, according to FAOstat data. The United States constitutes some of the biggest paper-producing companies in the world like International Papers, operating in more than 24 countries, Georgia-Pacific Corp, Weyerhaeuser Corporation, etc.

According to ITC Trade data, there has been a significant increase in the export of wood pulp from the United States from 2017 to 2021, the exports grew by more than 200% during the period and reached 63,727 metric ton. Though the United States is not a major exporter, especially due to the higher domestic consumption, the scenario is changing in recent years as consumption is decreasing but production is increasing which is boosting the export to cater to the demand. The production and export of in the United States for wood pulp are expected to increase as a strong demand is expected during the forceasted years.

Wood Pulp Industry Overview

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