Oct 27, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Chemical Wood Pulp – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
This comprehensive analysis of the United Kingdom’s chemical wood pulp market provides a detailed forecast from 2024 to 2035, projecting a slight market volume growth with a CAGR of +1.1% to reach 783,000 tons, and a value growth with a CAGR of +2.6% to $595 million by 2035. In 2024, consumption was 696,000 tons, valued at $450 million, dominated by bleached sulphate pulp (99% of volume). The UK is heavily import-dependent, with Brazil and Sweden as the primary suppliers, while domestic production is minimal and focused on chemical sulphite pulp. Exports have declined sharply, and significant price variations exist between different pulp types and trading partners.
Key Findings
Market forecast to grow to 783K tons by 2035, with a modest volume CAGR of +1.1%Market value is projected to reach $595M by 2035, growing at a CAGR of +2.6%UK consumption is almost entirely dependent on imports, primarily from Brazil and SwedenBleached sulphate pulp dominates the market, accounting for 99% of consumption volumeDomestic production is negligible, representing less than 1% of the country’s consumptionMarket Forecast
Driven by rising demand for chemical wood pulp in the UK, 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 +1.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 783K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $595M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Chemical Wood Pulp
In 2024, the amount of chemical wood pulp consumed in the UK expanded slightly to 696K tons, picking up by 2.5% on 2023. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, consumption reached the maximum volume at 905K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The value of the chemical wood pulp market in the UK expanded markedly to $450M in 2024, increasing by 10% 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). Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $591M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Consumption By Type
Bleached sulphate pulp (686K tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, accounting for 99% of total volume. It was followed by unbleached sulphate pulp (8.2K tons), with a 1.2% share of total consumption.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of bleached sulphate pulp consumption was relatively modest. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: unbleached sulphate pulp (-0.3% per year) and chemical sulphite pulp (-4.5% per year).
In value terms, bleached sulphate pulp ($442M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by unbleached sulphate pulp ($5.5M).
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of bleached sulphate pulp market was relatively modest. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: unbleached sulphate pulp (+0.7% per year) and chemical sulphite pulp (-3.9% per year).
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Chemical Wood Pulp
In 2020, production of chemical wood pulp increased by 0% to 4.3K tons, rising for the third year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 357% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 21K tons. From 2015 to 2020, production growth remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, chemical wood pulp production stood at $2.5M in 2020 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a perceptible decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 349% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $15M. From 2015 to 2020, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Production By Type
Chemical sulphite pulp (4.3K tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, comprising approx. 100% of total volume.
From 2013 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of the volume of chemical sulphite pulp production was relatively modest.
In value terms, chemical sulphite pulp ($2.5M) led the market, alone.
From 2013 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of chemical sulphite pulp production stood at -4.0%.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Chemical Wood Pulp
In 2024, imports of chemical wood pulp into the UK rose to 698K tons, with an increase of 2.3% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports, however, recorded a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 35% against the previous year. Imports peaked at 1M tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, chemical wood pulp imports expanded rapidly to $511M in 2024. In general, imports, however, saw a mild contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 42%. Imports peaked at $751M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
Brazil (330K tons), Sweden (202K tons) and Spain (54K tons) were the main suppliers of chemical wood pulp imports to the UK, together accounting for 84% of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +6.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest chemical wood pulp suppliers to the UK were Brazil ($202M), Sweden ($178M) and Finland ($39M), together accounting for 82% of total imports.
In terms of the main suppliers, Sweden, with a CAGR of +4.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports By Type
In 2024, bleached sulphate pulp (687K tons) was the main type of chemical wood pulp supplied to the UK, with a 98% share of total imports. It was followed by unbleached sulphate pulp (8.6K tons), with a 1.2% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of bleached sulphate pulp imports amounted to -1.7%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: unbleached sulphate pulp (+0.0% per year) and chemical sulphite pulp (-13.6% per year).
In value terms, bleached sulphate pulp ($500M) constituted the largest type of chemical wood pulp supplied to the UK, comprising 98% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by unbleached sulphate pulp ($6.6M), with a 1.3% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of bleached sulphate pulp imports was relatively modest. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: unbleached sulphate pulp (+0.4% per year) and chemical sulphite pulp (-8.1% per year).
Import Prices By Type
The average chemical wood pulp import price stood at $732 per ton in 2024, with an increase of 5.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 35%. The import price peaked at $780 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplied products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was chemical sulphite pulp ($1,876 per ton), while the price for bleached sulphate pulp ($728 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by sulphite pulp (+6.3%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average chemical wood pulp import price stood at $732 per ton in 2024, with an increase of 5.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 35% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $780 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($1,402 per ton), while the price for Spain ($536 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Chemical Wood Pulp
In 2024, the amount of chemical wood pulp exported from the UK declined sharply to 1.2K tons, dropping by -47.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports faced a dramatic decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 135%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 120K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, chemical wood pulp exports declined dramatically to $1.5M in 2024. Overall, exports faced a dramatic descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 175% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $90M. From 2019 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Germany (464 tons), Ireland (344 tons) and Nigeria (137 tons) were the main destinations of chemical wood pulp exports from the UK, with a combined 80% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +31.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest markets for chemical wood pulp exported from the UK were the United States ($461K), Ireland ($329K) and Germany ($275K), together accounting for 71% of total exports.
The United States, with a CAGR of +59.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
Bleached sulphate pulp (655 tons), unbleached sulphate pulp (344 tons) and chemical sulphite pulp (185 tons) were the main products of chemical wood pulp exports from the UK.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the major product types, was attained by unbleached sulphate pulp (with a CAGR of +15.2%), while the other products experienced a decline.
In value terms, chemical sulphite pulp ($818K) emerged as the largest type of chemical wood pulp exported from the UK, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by unbleached sulphate pulp ($346K), with a 23% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of chemical sulphite pulp exports totaled -19.8%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: unbleached sulphate pulp (+11.5% per year) and bleached sulphate pulp (-37.5% per year).
Export Prices By Type
The average chemical wood pulp export price stood at $1,268 per ton in 2024, picking up by 39% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a moderate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the average export price increased by 81%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $1,334 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major types of exported product. In 2024, the product with the highest price was chemical sulphite pulp ($4,415 per ton), while the average price for exports of bleached sulphate pulp ($515 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: sulphite pulp (+17.8%), while the prices for the other products experienced a decline.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average chemical wood pulp export price amounted to $1,268 per ton, increasing by 39% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a notable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 an increase of 81% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $1,334 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($38,500 per ton), while the average price for exports to Austria ($168 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Poland (+43.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.