European Union's Paper Machinery Market to Witness Slow but Steady Growth with a CAGR of +0.5% from 2024 to 2035 - News and Statistics - IndexBox

Jun 09, 2025

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IndexBox has just published a new report: EU - Machinery For Making Paper Or Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

The paper machinery market in the European Union is set to experience a slight increase in performance, with a forecasted CAGR of +0.5% in volume and +1.4% in value from 2024 to 2035. This growth is driven by rising demand within the region, leading to a positive outlook for the industry.

Driven by rising demand for paper machinery in the European Union, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 132K units by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

In 2024, consumption of machinery for making paper or paperboard decreased by -15.9% to 125K units, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption saw a perceptible descent. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs at 219K units in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The value of the paper machinery market in the European Union declined to $1.6B in 2024, which is down by -9.7% 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). In general, consumption recorded a slight descent. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $2.5B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sweden (43K units) remains the largest paper machinery consuming country in the European Union, accounting for 34% of total volume. Moreover, paper machinery consumption in Sweden exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Germany (17K units), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Spain (11K units), with a 9.1% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume in Sweden totaled +1.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-3.9% per year) and Spain (-1.9% per year).

In value terms, Sweden ($746M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($181M). It was followed by Spain.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in Sweden stood at +1.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-4.2% per year) and Spain (-0.8% per year).

In 2024, the highest levels of paper machinery per capita consumption was registered in Sweden (4 units per 1000 persons), followed by Finland (1.9 units per 1000 persons), Croatia (1 units per 1000 persons) and Austria (1 units per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of paper machinery was estimated at 0.3 units per 1000 persons.

In Sweden, paper machinery per capita consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Finland (-9.1% per year) and Croatia (-2.5% per year).

In 2024, production of machinery for making paper or paperboard decreased by -17.9% to 201K units, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. In general, production showed a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 2.8% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked at 284K units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paper machinery production contracted notably to $2B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 26%. The level of production peaked at $2.7B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Sweden (49K units), Italy (31K units) and Finland (28K units), together comprising 54% of total production.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Sweden (with a CAGR of +0.8%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper machinery imports shrank sharply to 4.3K units in 2024, which is down by -35.7% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 138%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 30K units. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper machinery imports shrank markedly to $57M in 2024. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 193%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $349M. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In 2024, Italy (836 units), France (673 units), Germany (633 units) and Spain (553 units) represented the largest importer of machinery for making paper or paperboard in the European Union, achieving 62% of total import. Poland (350 units) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Finland (231 units) and Austria (223 units). All these countries together held approx. 19% share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Finland (with a CAGR of +13.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paper machinery importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($11M), France ($9.4M) and Spain ($7.6M), with a combined 50% share of total imports.

France, with a CAGR of +7.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $13 thousand per unit, surging by 29% against the previous year. Import price indicated a mild increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, paper machinery import price increased by +71.5% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 35%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $13 thousand per unit. From 2019 to 2024, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($18 thousand per unit), while Austria ($3 thousand per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

In 2024, overseas shipments of machinery for making paper or paperboard decreased by -21.8% to 80K units, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, exports showed a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 34%. The volume of export peaked at 152K units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper machinery exports contracted remarkably to $870M in 2024. Total exports indicated a slight increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 28%. The level of export peaked at $1.1B in 2023, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

In 2024, Italy (28K units), distantly followed by Finland (18K units), Poland (14K units), Germany (8.1K units) and Sweden (6.3K units) represented the main exporters of machinery for making paper or paperboard, together mixing up 93% of total exports. Estonia (1.6K units) took a little share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Estonia (with a CAGR of +72.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Finland ($354M), Italy ($224M) and Germany ($97M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, with a combined 78% share of total exports. Sweden, Poland and Estonia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Estonia, with a CAGR of +74.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The export price in the European Union stood at $11 thousand per unit in 2024, remaining constant against the previous year. Export price indicated resilient growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, paper machinery export price increased by +67.3% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the export price increased by 66%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $11 thousand per unit in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($20 thousand per unit), while Poland ($1.4 thousand per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+15.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the paper machinery market in the EU. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

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