In 2023, Germany was the top importer of paper and cardboard waste from outside the EU, with a marginal increase of 1.16%. The Netherlands saw a slight decline, while Sweden's imports dropped considerably by 2.12%. France and Belgium experienced noticeable increases, 6.32% and 7.32% respectively. Spain led in growth with an 8.55% rise, while Italy reduced its imports by 12.24%. Smaller importers like Latvia and Lithuania showed significant increases of 29.43% and 39.14%. The Czech Republic also saw a sharp increase, whereas countries like Slovakia and Greece experienced declines.
Future trends to watch include the potential for continued growth in countries like Poland and Hungary, which have shown increasing imports. Environmental policies and recycling capabilities could further influence import patterns, potentially shifting demand to other European countries as sustainability becomes more pressing in the industry.
Top countries in Paper and Cardboard Waste Imports Extra-EU27 (2020) by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Metric Tons | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Germany | 668,530 | 2023 | +5.06% | +1.16% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Netherlands | 621,920 | 2023 | +0.46% | -1% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Sweden | 461,400 | 2023 | +14.66% | -2.12% | View data |
| 4 | 4 France | 244,510 | 2023 | +4.45% | +6.32% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Belgium | 213,000 | 2023 | +5.84% | +7.32% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Spain | 118,790 | 2023 | +3.06% | +8.55% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Italy | 106,940 | 2023 | +2.03% | -12.24% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Austria | 75,180 | 2023 | +4.38% | +2.98% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Croatia | 48,120 | 2023 | +7.99% | +6.21% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Denmark | 42,450 | 2023 | +1.32% | -1.22% | View data |
