Recovered Paper Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The recovered paper market attained a volume of 277.08 MMT as of 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.50% during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. One of the key drivers of the recovered paper market is the growing focus on sustainability and circular economy. Governments across the globe are enforcing strict policies to encourage recycling and minimize waste, prompting industries to use recovered paper as a raw material. This change not only saves natural resources but also minimizes carbon emissions, aligning with the world's environmental objectives. The market is thus expected to reach a volume of nearly 354.69 MMT by 2034.

Recovered Paper Market Growth

The market for recovered paper is being led by two distinct forces: the demand for greener packaging and growing circular economy trends. With more consumers and businesses looking for environmentally friendly options, demand for recyclables, and especially paper, has increased dramatically. Businesses are incorporating recovered paper into their packaging to address green objectives and abide by tighter regulations on waste control, thus driving the growth of recovered paper market.

For instance, businesses such as DS Smith are at the forefront of sustainable packaging through emphasis on closed-loop recycling systems. Apart from enabling carbon footprint reduction, this system ensures a constant supply of recovered paper for manufacturing. Moreover, governmental regulations enforcing greater recycling and landfill waste minimization are also furthering paper recovery and reuse. These drivers are set to continue fueling the growth of the market as industries strive for more sustainable practices.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

The recovered paper market dynamics and trends include closed-loop recycling, AI sorting, compostable coatings, and blockchain for transparency.

January 2025

Exporters of recovered paper highlighted the importance of being agile and responsive to the fast-evolving market conditions. Issues like possible port strikes, volatile foreign exchange rates, geopolitical tensions, and changing consumer behaviors were noted as major challenges. Furthermore, the European Union's imposition of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was identified as an important area of concern, possibly affecting exports to outside-of-EU nations such as the U.S., India, and Thailand. Industry experts emphasized pre-eminent planning and responsiveness in countering these uncertainties.

June 2024

Mars Wrigley and Tesco initiated a trial of promotional displays crafted from waste cocoa bean shells and recycled paper. This innovative material, known as Cocoa Cardboard, is designed to replace virgin tree fibers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% compared to conventional cardboard. Additionally, it boasts a 94% reduction in land use and a 59% decrease in water consumption, as per a life cycle assessment.

March 2024

Fastmarkets announced the launch of new PIX European prices for recovered paper, effective from April 9, 2024. These include PIX SOP and PIX Multiprint, covering grades like Sorted Office Paper and Multi Printing. Simultaneously, Fastmarkets will discontinue the PPI Europe Paper for Recycling assessments starting May 8, 2024. This transition aims to enhance market transparency and align with industry feedback.

September 2023

Experts discussed that in North America, the demand for Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) and mixed paper remains strong due to expanding recycled paper and board capacity. From January to June 2024, United States paper mills increased recovered fiber consumption by 6.8%, processing 16.44 million tons compared to 15.4 million tons in the same period of 2023.

Adoption of Closed-Loop Recycling Systems

Firms are increasingly adopting closed-loop recycling models, wherein paper products are recycled to the same product category. This saves on the use of virgin materials, reduces waste generation, and increases sustainability by providing a continuous loop of reuse, thus pushing the growth of the recovered paper market.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Sorting Processes

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in sorting waste has been enhancing efficiency and accuracy. AI systems have the ability to detect and sort various grades of paper, removing contamination and improving the quality of recovered materials, which is important in making high-grade paper products.

Development of Compostable Coatings for Paper Products

To make paper products more recyclable, firms are creating compostable coatings as substitutes for conventional plastic-based coatings. The coatings enable paper products to be composted once used, thus minimizing landfill waste and enabling the circular economy, thereby helping to create new trends in the recovered paper market.

Blockchain Implementation for Supply Chain Transparency

Blockchain technology is used to trace and authenticate the path of recovered paper from one stage of the supply chain to another. It makes the process transparent, eliminates fraud, and ensures sound sourcing practices, which, in turn, builds consumer confidence and motivates the use of recycled material.

Recovered Paper Market Trends

Advanced paper-to-paper recycling technologies are improving the effectiveness of recycling used paper into new high-quality paper products. These technologies are being optimized to reduce fiber degradation, allowing continuous recycling of paper products. This development decreases the dependence on virgin pulp and makes paper production more sustainable, thus shaping new trends in the recovered paper market.

Businesses are now placing more emphasis on upcycling mixed paper waste, which was previously more difficult to recycle. Improved technologies enable improved separation and treatment of mixed paper, making what was previously considered low-grade material a valuable resource. This development not only increases recycling levels but also creates new market outlets for recovered paper.

Recovered Paper Industry Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “Recovered Paper Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Type

• Fresh
• Recovered

Market Breakup by Application

• Containerboard
• Other Paper and Board
• Newsprint
• Tissue
• Printing and Writing

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Recovered Paper Market Share

The market for fresh as well as recovered paper types is gaining traction in the global market because of the escalating environmental issues and the need for greener alternatives. As per the recovered paper market analysis, fresh paper, which comes from virgin pulp, is still the preferred source for high-end production, particularly in sectors such as printing and packaging.

According to the recovered paper industry analysis, recovered paper, sourced from recycled waste, is gaining substantial momentum since firms and customers are working to minimize wastage and carbon prints. Governments are also implementing tougher recycling policies, supporting further usage of recovered paper. The move towards circular economy processes and increased consumer concern for environmentally friendly products is compelling the growing uptake of recovered paper across diverse sectors, ranging from packaging to tissue production.

Competitive Landscape

Leading recovered paper market players are investing in sustainability, innovation in technology, and a bigger global presence. International Paper and Smurfit Kappa, for example, are committing investments in superior recycling technologies as well as environmental packaging solutions in order to cater to increasing concerns on the environment. DS Smith and Stora Enso, for instance, are improving recycling efficiencies and diversifying into new markets to position themselves stronger. These strategic plans will help to counter growing demand for eco-friendly products and adhere to strict environmental regulations.

Waste Management, Inc.

Established in 1968 and based in the United States, Waste Management provides strong recycling services, such as large-scale recovered paper collection and processing. Waste Management has several material recovery facilities, promoting environmentally friendly waste diversion and providing high-quality recycled fiber for packaging and manufacturing companies throughout North America.

Smurfit Kappa Group

Founded in 1934 and based in Ireland, Smurfit Kappa employs recovered paper as a key raw material in the manufacture of sustainable corrugated packaging solutions. Smurfit Kappa emphasizes circular production processes and has large-scale recycling operations in Europe and the Americas to minimize environmental footprint and virgin fiber dependence.

DS Smith Plc

Established in 1940 in the United Kingdom, DS Smith is a company that deals with fiber-based packaging solutions made of recycled paper. The company operates a closed-loop recycling system where used paper and boxes are gathered to produce new packaging, thus being resource efficient and helping customers achieve their sustainability objectives in retail, industrial, and e-commerce businesses.

Republic Services, Inc.

Founded in 1998 with headquarters in the United States, Republic Services operates more than 70 recycling facilities, recycling millions of tons of recovered paper per year. It focuses on innovating recycling facilities and collaborates with companies to keep paper waste out of landfills, which helps create a more sustainable materials management system.

Other key players profiled in the recovered paper market include Cascades Inc., and SUEZ, among others.

Recovered Paper Market Report Snapshots

Mixed-Grade Recovered Paper

Industrial-Grade Recovered Paper

Tissue-Grade Recovered Paper

Packaging-Grade Recovered Paper

Wastepaper Collection And Sorting Market Trends
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