Asphalted Paper Market

The article discusses the increasing demand for tarred, bituminised, or asphalted paper and paperboard globally, with market performance forecasted to grow substantially over the next eight years. Consumption trends, market volume, and value are examined, with insights into key consuming and producing countries. Import and export statistics, as well as pricing trends, are also analyzed, providing a comprehensive overview of the asphalted paper market dynamics.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for tarred, bituminised or asphalted paper and paperboard worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +4.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 353K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $486M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Tarred, Bituminised Or Asphalted Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, consumption of tarred, bituminised or asphalted paper and paperboard was finally on the rise to reach 249K tons after two years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global asphalted paper market size shrank to $288M in 2022, which is down by -1.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the market value increased by 7.3% against the previous year. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $293M. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

Canada (132K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of asphalted paper consumption, comprising approx. 53% of total volume. Moreover, asphalted paper consumption in Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Italy (20K tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (19K tons), with a 7.8% share.

In Canada, asphalted paper consumption increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Italy (+37.3% per year) and Germany (-0.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest asphalted paper markets worldwide were Canada ($99M), Italy ($59M) and Egypt ($18M), with a combined 61% share of the global market.

Among the main consuming countries, Italy, with a CAGR of +44.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of asphalted paper per capita consumption was registered in Canada (3,425 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Italy (338 kg per 1000 persons), Germany (233 kg per 1000 persons) and Myanmar (144 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of asphalted paper was estimated at 0.4 kg per 1000 persons.

In Canada, asphalted paper per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Italy (+37.5% per year) and Germany (-0.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Tarred, Bituminised Or Asphalted Paper And Paperboard

Global asphalted paper production reached 228K tons in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 1.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, asphalted paper production totaled $270M in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $273M in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of asphalted paper production was Canada (134K tons), accounting for 59% of total volume. Moreover, asphalted paper production in Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Italy (24K tons), sixfold. The Czech Republic (16K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Canada was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Italy (+2.3% per year) and the Czech Republic (+0.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Tarred, Bituminised Or Asphalted Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was growth in purchases abroad of tarred, bituminised or asphalted paper and paperboard, when their volume increased by 4.1% to 66K tons. In general, imports, however, saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 7.2%. Global imports peaked at 128K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, asphalted paper imports declined to $87M in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 6.2%. Global imports peaked at $174M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

Germany represented the largest importer of tarred, bituminised or asphalted paper and paperboard in the world, with the volume of imports accounting for 20K tons, which was approx. 30% of total imports in 2022. Myanmar (8K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by the United States (7%) and Egypt (5.3%). The following importers - Canada (2.9K tons), France (2.5K tons), Belgium (2.3K tons), Thailand (1.7K tons), Denmark (1.6K tons), Cambodia (1.2K tons), Sweden (1.2K tons), Poland (1.2K tons) and the Netherlands (1.1K tons) - together made up 24% of total imports.

Imports into Germany decreased at an average annual rate of -2.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Myanmar (+33.1%), Cambodia (+23.3%), Egypt (+11.7%), Poland (+11.5%), Thailand (+1.5%) and France (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Myanmar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +33.1% from 2012-2022. Denmark experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Canada (-2.6%), Sweden (-6.0%), Belgium (-6.6%), the Netherlands (-14.5%) and the United States (-17.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Myanmar (+12 p.p.), Germany (+9.6 p.p.), Egypt (+4.4 p.p.), France (+2.1 p.p.) and Cambodia (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of the Netherlands (-2.5 p.p.) and the United States (-16.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($8.8M), Thailand ($6.7M) and Egypt ($6.4M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 25% of global imports. France, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Myanmar, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Cambodia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

Cambodia, with a CAGR of +24.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average asphalted paper import price stood at $1,310 per ton in 2022, reducing by -18.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $1,602 per ton, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($4,066 per ton), while Germany ($440 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+6.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Tarred, Bituminised Or Asphalted Paper And Paperboard

Global asphalted paper exports contracted to 45K tons in 2022, reducing by -6.8% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 2.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum at 132K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, asphalted paper exports reduced slightly to $51M in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $136M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

The United States (14K tons) and the Czech Republic (13K tons) were the major exporters of tarred, bituminised or asphalted paper and paperboard in 2022, accounting for approx. 30% and 28% of total exports, respectively. Canada (4.5K tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Italy (3.8K tons). All these countries together held near 18% share of total exports. The following exporters - Russia (1,142 tons), Mexico (928 tons), Spain (821 tons) and Germany (745 tons) - together made up 8.1% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +39.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($12M), the Czech Republic ($7.2M) and Italy ($6.3M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 50% share of global exports. Canada, Mexico, Germany, Spain and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +26.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average asphalted paper export price stood at $1,130 per ton in 2022, rising by 3.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 27% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $1,218 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($2,136 per ton), while the Czech Republic ($566 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+5.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform