Through 2025, the paper end-use market output in the United States is expected to increase roughly a 0.4 percent.

U.S. paper market

It is expected that the paper end-use market output will experience a decreasing rate of 2.1 percent from 2019 to 2020. The industry has been heavily criticized due to its unsustainable deforestation of old-growth forests and illegal practices in some regions, most notably in the Amazon Rainforest. Growth in the industry has also quickly expanded in countries like China and Russia where low wages and a lack of environmental consideration are common.

China and the United States produce, by far, the world’s greatest volumes of paper and cardboard, reaching nearly 109 million metric tons and 72 million metric tons, respectively, in 2018. One of the largest companies in the world in the forest, paper, and packaging industry is International Paper, an American company with its headquarters in New York. International Paper was founded in 1898 when 18 pulp and paper mills in northeastern United States were merged. The company generated 21.7 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2017. Its most common products are plastic lids and paper cups, which fuel many large fast food chains such as McDonald’s. The industry in the United States as a whole garnered some 100 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2015.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Paper Board in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

In 2024, the global printing and writing paper market decreased by -2% to $182.4B, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $190.9B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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In 2024, the U.S. paper market increased by 0.1% to $37.3B, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, recorded a mild setback. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $43.5B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Virgin Paper in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

Kraft Pulp rose to 5,090 CNY/T on June 27, 2025, up 0.55% from the previous day. Over the past month, Kraft Pulp's price has fallen 4.03%, and is down 14.57% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Kraft Pulp.

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Pulp Market Size 2025-2029

The pulp market size is forecast to increase by USD 43.2 billion, at a CAGR of 3.8% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is witnessing significant growth, driven by the increasing consumption of chemical wood pulp. This trend is primarily fueled by the rising demand for paper and paper products, particularly in packaging and hygiene applications. Another key trend shaping the market is the growing preference for fluff pulp due to its enhanced absorbency properties, making it an ideal choice for the production of disposable hygiene products. However, the market faces challenges that could hinder its growth. The high production costs associated with pulp manufacturing remain a significant obstacle, as raw materials, energy, and labor expenses continue to rise.
Additionally, environmental concerns and regulations surrounding pulp production and disposal add complexity to the market landscape. Companies seeking to capitalize on market opportunities must navigate these challenges effectively by implementing cost-efficient production methods and adhering to stringent environmental regulations. By doing so, they can maintain competitiveness and meet the evolving demands of consumers and regulatory bodies.

What will be the Size of the Pulp Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The market continues to evolve, with dynamic market dynamics shaping its various sectors. Fiber separation plays a crucial role in the production process, ensuring optimal consistency and quality for paper finishing. Pulp storage solutions are essential for maintaining pulp's integrity and moisture levels, enabling seamless integration into paper mills. Paper testing is a vital aspect of the industry, ensuring pulp stock meets required paper properties for various applications, such as kraft pulp for packaging paper or sulfate pulp for tissue paper. Paper coating and recycled pulp innovations continue to emerge, driving demand and influencing price fluctuations.

Chemical pulping processes, including mechanical pulping and wood chips, are subject to ongoing improvements, as sustainability becomes increasingly important. Sustainable forestry practices and pulpwood storage contribute to the industry's long-term viability. Pulp mills employ various pulping methods, including unbleached pulp and bleached pulp production, to cater to diverse market needs. Pulp density and pulp moisture levels are critical factors in pulp handling and transportation, ensuring efficient and cost-effective logistics. Alternative fibers and pulp substitutes are gaining traction, adding complexity to the market landscape. Dissolving pulp and pulp slurry technologies are revolutionizing industries like textiles and food production.

Wood harvesting and pulp industry trends continue to shape the market, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

How is this Pulp Industry segmented?

The pulp industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Application

  Printing and writing paper
  Tissue paper
  Specialty paper
  Packaging paper
  Others


Grade Type

  Chemical pulp
  Mechanical and semi-chemical pulp
  Non-wood pulp


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Application Insights

The printing and writing paper segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

In the dynamic the market, various entities play crucial roles in the production and application of pulp. Pulp is a fundamental input in paper manufacturing, with key processes including fiber separation, paper finishing, pulp storage, and paper testing. Kraft pulp, a popular type, undergoes chemical pulping for transformation into high-quality paper products. Paper recovery and coating processes enhance paper properties, while pulp stock ensures consistency in paper production. Sustainable forestry and pulp mills are integral to the pulp industry, with pulpwood storage and transportation essential for efficient operations. Innovation in pulping processes, such as mechanical pulping and dissolving pulp production, continues to drive industry trends.

Unbleached and bleached pulps cater to diverse applications, including tissue paper, packaging paper, and virgin pulp. Pulp pricing and paper converting are influenced by demand and supply dynamics, with pulp density and alternative fibers offering potential substitutes. Price fluctuations and wood quality impact pulp transportation and

The global thermal paper market size was valued at USD 4.30 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 4.72 billion in 2025 to USD 10.41 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.60% during the forecast period (2025-2033). The growth of the market is attributed to the increasing adoption of thermal paper in various end-user industries, such as point-of-sale (POS), labels, entertainment, medical and pharmaceutical, and others. Thermal paper is a type of paper that is coated with a heat-sensitive layer, which turns black when exposed to heat. This property makes thermal paper ideal for use in applications where a permanent record is not required, such as receipts, tickets, and labels. The major drivers of the thermal paper market include the growing demand for POS systems in retail and hospitality, the increasing use of thermal paper in labels and packaging, and the rising popularity of thermal paper in entertainment applications. The market is also expected to benefit from the growing adoption of mobile printing and the increasing use of thermal paper in medical and pharmaceutical applications. However, the market growth is restrained by the environmental concerns associated with the use of thermal paper and the competition from other printing technologies. The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the thermal paper market throughout the forecast period, followed by North America and Europe. The growth in the Asia Pacific region is attributed to the increasing demand for thermal paper in POS systems and labels in the region. Recent developments include: June 2023: Appvion introduces its new, sustainable, patent-pending Next Generation technology direct thermal coating that is free of phenolic developers, including BPA, BPS, and other phenols. Next Generational Technology coating creates heat-stable, legible, dark images on paper and film labels, tickets, tags, and point-of-sale applications while complying with environmental regulations and corporate sustainability initiatives., March 2023: Twin Rivers announced that it finalized the sale of Plaster Rock Lumber Corporation, its softwood lumber mill in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, to eastern Canadian lumber manufacturer and North American forest products leader Groupe Lebel. The sale advances Twin Rivers' strategy of investing in and growing its core business of specialty and kraft paper production.. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing POS Utility in Services for Billing Operations, Robust Durability and Print Precision Offered by the Thermal Paper. Potential restraints include: Fluctuating Raw Material Prices affecting the Production. Notable trends are: POS to Drive the Market Growth.

The U.S. Kraft Paper market featured a modest downtick, despite the stable feedstock prices with minor fluctuations in the first quarter of 2025. The new elected U.S. administration brought delicate changes in tariff resulting imbalance between cost management and shifting market dynamics. Low demand from consumer-made producers to increase the Kraft Paper prices, this strategy was made to meet the profit margin. Even after low no significant disruptions were reported, production levels have remained.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Uncoated white paper in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

Pulp and Paper Chemicals Market size worth at USD 22.74 Billion in 2023 and projected to USD 29.78 Billion by 2032, with a CAGR of around 3.04% between 2024-2032.

In 2024, the Indian printing and writing paper market decreased by -4.8% to $6.1B for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

The paper manufacturing market has been growing steadily over the past few years. This is due to the increasing demand for paper products, such as tissue paper, packaging materials, and office paper. The market is expected to continue growing in the coming years, thanks to the rising global demand for these products.

The industry is expected to grow significantly from 2025 to 2035 due to increasing concern for sustainability and the need for recyclable and biodegradable products. Expected to be around USD 25.1 billion in 2025, the market will grow consistently and touch more than USD 53.7 billion by 2035, with a very high CAGR of approximately 7.8% during the forecast period.

Uncoated Paper Market - Country-wise Analysis

Countries	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
USA	2.9%
UK	2.3%
France	1.9%
Germany	2.1%
Italy	1.7%
South Korea	2.2%
Japan	1.6%
China	3.6%
Australia-New Zealand	2.0%

Competitive Outlook

Company Name	Market Share (%)
International Paper	20-25%
Domtar	15-18%
Mondi	12-15%
The Navigator Company	10-13%
Asia Pulp & Paper	8-11%
Other Key Players (Combined)	18-22%

The global corrugated paper market dropped to $72.2B in 2024, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -7.7% against 2021 indices.

The Asia-Pacific market for coated printing and writing papers shrank to $X in 2022, waning by X% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global recovered paper market soared to $44.5B in 2024, increasing by 17% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $50.9B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global toilet paper market totaled $82.5B in 2024, flattening at the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -0.2% against 2022 indices.

The Nepalese paper articles market expanded slightly to $35M in 2024, with an increase of 1.8% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a resilient increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $36M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.