Recycled paper export report: August 2023

These are the latest HMRC export figures for August 2023 for key paper and cardboard grades. Only destinations of more than 1,000 tonnes per month are included.

OCC – Commodity code 470710

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Exports of OCC picked up in August reaching 204,431 tonnes compared to 180,405 tonnes in July. Indeed, this was the first time since March that more than 200,000 tonnes had been exported when there was a very similar 204,020 tonnes leaving the UK.

Interestingly, a significant proportion of this growth came from EU destinations (Germany especially) with exports to there rising to 33,400 tonnes from 17,029 tonnes in July.

But August also saw growth from non-EU destinations, with total exports to the rest of the world up to 171,031 tonnes from 163,375 tonnes in July.

Proportionally, non-EU destinations still represented almost 84% of exports, although this was lower than 91% in July.

Mixed paper – Commodity code 470790

Like OCC, mixed paper exports improved in August to 120,587 tonnes in total from 103,461 tonnes in the month before. However, July was an especially quiet month, so August wasn’t anything special.

One standout was India though, which really came back into the market in August, buying its most mixed since March (both months around 72,500 tonnes). Exports were up almost 24,000 tonnes when compared to July.

Indeed, India imported a majority of the 86% market share of non-EU exports that left the UK in August. This was higher than July’s 82%.

News & Pams – Commodity code 470730

Exports of this grade improved a little in August when compared to July but only by about 700 tonnes. A total of 12,515 tonnes left the UK from 11,802 tonnes in the previous month.

India still dominated with 48.5% market share, only slightly up on July’s 48%. Significant destinations above 1,000 tonnes were only seen for India, Vietnam and Germany as last month.