Recycled Paper Prices and Market Demand in Europe

The European recycled paper market has demonstrated strong demand and relatively stable pricing in recent years, supported by structural growth in packaging and sustainability-driven policies.

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In 2024, average prices for recovered paper in the EU approached €100 per tonne, with certain grades and monthly peaks exceeding €110–€120 per tonne, depending on quality and regional supply conditions. While prices remain cyclical, overall levels have stayed resilient compared to pre-2020 averages, reflecting consistent industrial demand from paper and board manufacturers.

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The EU generates approximately 55–60 million tonnes of recovered paper annually, making it one of the largest recovered fibre markets globally. The European paper recycling rate remains among the highest in the world, consistently exceeding 70%, with some reports indicating recycling rates of around 72–75% for paper and board packaging. This high recovery rate ensures a stable supply of secondary raw material to the European paper industry.

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Recycled paper is widely used in packaging materials, particularly corrugated board, cartonboard, and other containerboard products, which together account for more than 60% of total recovered paper consumption in Europe. Packaging grades dominate paper production, representing roughly 60–65% of total paper and board output in the EU. The continued growth of e-commerce—expanding by several percentage points annually in many EU markets—has significantly increased demand for corrugated packaging. At the same time, corporate sustainability commitments and EU regulatory frameworks, such as the

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Circular Economy Action Plan and Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), have accelerated the shift toward fibre-based, recyclable packaging solutions.

As a result, recovered paper has strengthened its position as a strategic secondary raw material rather than a low-value by-product. High-quality sorted grades (e.g., OCC – Old Corrugated Containers) are particularly sought after, often trading at premium levels compared to mixed paper grades.

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Intra-EU trade in recovered paper remains highly active, with millions of tonnes moving annually between Member States to balance regional surpluses and deficits. Countries with strong collection systems and net export capacity supply fibre to regions with high paper production capacity. This internal circulation keeps economic value within the European Union, reduces dependence on extra-EU markets, and supports local recycling infrastructure. Stable trade flows also help manage seasonal and cyclical supply-demand fluctuations, contributing to overall market stability.

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Market pricing signals continued confidence in the sector. Sustained price levels near or above €100 per tonne improve the economic viability of municipal and commercial collection systems. They also encourage investment in:

• Advanced optical and automated sorting technologies
• Improved contamination reduction processes
• Digital tracking and traceability systems
• Higher quality standards for recovered fibre

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As the EU moves toward higher recycling and recycled content targets—many aiming for 65–70% recycling rates for municipal waste and packaging streams by 2030 and beyond—the structural fundamentals for recycled paper remain solid.

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Combined with decarbonisation efforts and the substitution of plastic packaging with fibre-based alternatives, the European recycled paper market continues to present a commercially attractive and strategically important segment within the circular economy.

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