Pulp and Paper Market to Record CAGR of 1.7% Over 2025-2035; Encouraging Legislation to Enhance Recycling Efforts and Promote Market Growth

The global pulp and paper market size was valued at USD 344.74 billion in 2024 and is predicted to reach USD 351.69 billion in 2025. The market is anticipated to touch USD 416.56 billion by 2035, recording a CAGR of 1.7% over 2025-2035.

Fortune Business Insights™ presents this information in its latest report titled “Pulp and Paper Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Category ((Wrapping & Packaging (Food & Beverage Packaging, Healthcare Packaging, Personal Care Packaging, and Others), Printing & Writing (Books and Publishing, News Print, & Others), Sanitary, and Others)), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2035”.

Pulp is made from wood, recycled paper, fiber crops, and rags. It is processed to produce paper and paperboard. The worldwide pulp and paper sector is crucial as it is the leading industry that is dependent on forests. The increasing use of paper for packaging, wrapping, printing, writing, rolls, tissue, and specialty papers is anticipated to drive market expansion.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for traditional paper products such as newspapers and printing decreased significantly. In contrast, the adoption of personal care & hygiene products, especially tissue paper, increased as consumers focused on safety. In response, leading tissue manufacturers globally increased their focus on meeting the demand for tissue papers from healthcare facilities.

UPM Committed USD 3.47 Billion to Establish Pulp and Paper Mill Near Paso de los Toros, Uruguay

In April 2023, UPM committed USD 3.47 billion to establish a new pulp and paper mill close to Paso de los Toros, Uruguay, which commenced operations in April 2023. This advanced facility has an annual production capacity of 2.1 billion tonnes of bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp and is recognized as the largest single-line pulp mill in the world.

Encouraging Legislation to Enhance Recycling Efforts and Promote Market Growth

The paper recycling industry requires a lot of investment and works with various recycling services to help businesses with collection, sorting, and transportation. In 2022, the American Forest & Paper Association reported that the paper recycling rate in the U.S. was 67.9%, which remained steady compared to 2021. Numerous states have enacted laws that mandate paper recycling, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. In California, businesses are required to recycle newspapers, whereas Connecticut has regulations that necessitate recycling office paper, newspapers, and periodicals. Furthermore, South Dakota, Maine, and Virginia have their own specific recycling rules. Encouraging legislation is expected to enhance recycling efforts and promote growth within the pulp and paper sector.

However, the growing influx of digital media in the domains of news and education is hindering the pulp and paper market growth.

Leading Companies Invest Heavily in Developing Additives to Address Demands for Sustainability and Performance

The leading companies in the industry are investing heavily in developing additives to meet the growing needs for sustainability and enhanced performance. Effectively utilizing resources to address the rising consumer demand is a crucial aspect of the pulp and paper sector. All major paper manufacturers are focused on managing the supply-demand dynamics in the global paper market.

Notable Industry Development

• March 2025: Billerud introduced ConFlex HeatSeal, a recyclable paper packaging material that can be heat-sealed and is intended to substitute plastic in multiple packaging uses. This cutting-edge product aims to fulfill stringent sealing performance requirements while improving recyclability, in line with the increasing demand for sustainable packaging options.

List of the Companies Profiled in the Report

• International Paper (U.S.)
• Domtar Corporation (U.S.)
• Georgia-Pacific LLC (U.S.)
• Nine Dragons Worldwide (China) Investment Group Co., Ltd. (China)
• Billerud AB (Sweden)
• UPM (Finland)
• Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (Sweden)
• Oji Holding Corporation (Japan)
• Sappi Ltd (South Africa)
• Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (Japan)
• Smurfit WestRock (Ireland)

To get a detailed report summary and research scope of this market, click here:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/pulp-and-paper-market-103447

Further Report Findings

• The Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the leading position in the market in the coming years, with a market value of USD 193.97 billion in 2024. China stands out as the primary producer and consumer of pulp and paper globally. The country's increasing demand for products, improved lifestyles, and strong economic growth are anticipated to create opportunities that will drive market expansion.
• North America is projected to experience a slow CAGR in the near term. The strong presence of large-scale companies, such as International Paper, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and WestRock, supports the growth in this region. This competitive environment is driven by the growing demand for fast-moving consumer goods, resulting in a heightened requirement for packaging paper in the U.S.
• By category, the wrapping & packaging segment is anticipated to capture the largest pulp and paper market share in the coming years. The growing consumption of paper-based packaging materials is expected to drive this growth.

Table of Segmentation