Pulp Mills Global Market Report 2026

A pulp mill is a manufacturing facility dedicated to producing pulp from raw materials such as wood chips or fiber crops. This pulp serves as the fundamental material for the manufacturing of various paper products, including paper, tissue, and other related items.

The primary source types for pulp mills are categorized into wood pulp or virgin fiber pulp, non-wood pulp, and recycled pulp or de-inked pulp. Wood pulp or virgin pulp is derived from fibrous materials obtained from wood through mechanical or chemical pulping processes. This category includes various grades such as mechanical, chemical, and semi-chemical. These different grades find applications in industries such as packaging manufacturing, publishing, stationery manufacturing, and the production of sanitary and household products. The diverse characteristics of these pulp types cater to the specific needs of manufacturers across different sectors.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the pulp mills market by increasing costs of imported pulping chemicals, machinery components, processing equipment, and spare parts. Mills in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported industrial inputs, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on pulp exports. These tariffs are raising production costs and affecting global competitiveness. However, they are also encouraging domestic equipment sourcing, regional pulp processing investments, and increased use of locally available raw materials.

The pulp mills market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides pulp mills market statistics, including pulp mills industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a pulp mills market share, detailed pulp mills market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the pulp mills industry. This pulp mills market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The pulp mills market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $73.37 billion in 2025 to $77.74 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global paper and packaging demand, availability of forest resources, growth of chemical pulping technologies, increasing use of virgin pulp in packaging, expansion of pulp export markets.

The pulp mills market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $100.42 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable packaging materials, rising investments in low-emission pulp mills, expansion of circular economy initiatives, growing adoption of alternative fiber sources, increasing regulatory pressure on deforestation. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of recycled and non-wood pulp sources, rising demand for high-quality specialty pulp, growing focus on energy-efficient pulping processes, expansion of sustainable forestry practices, enhanced focus on emission reduction.

The contributing factor to the growth of the pulp mills market is the rise in e-commerce sales. The e-commerce industry relies on pulp mills for packaging materials due to their cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and the ability to create sturdy shipping containers. The projected annual growth of the UK's e-commerce revenues by 12.6% by 2025, reaching a market value of $285.60 billion, according to the International Trade Administration in November 2023, reflects the global trend of increasing e-commerce activities. As of January 2021, e-commerce already accounted for 36.3% of total retail in the UK, ranking third globally after China and the US. This surge in e-commerce sales is a key factor driving the growth of the pulp mills market.

Leading companies in the pulp mills market are concentrating on creating innovative solutions such as mill-wide digital optimization software to boost productivity, enhance process efficiency, and strengthen operational resilience. This software is a comprehensive system that leverages real-time data and advanced analytics to coordinate, monitor, and optimize all processes within a pulp mill for greater efficiency and more dependable operations. For example, in November 2025, ABB Group, a Switzerland-based technology firm, introduced ABB Ability(TM) Plant Optimizer for Pulp Mills, a mill-wide optimization software for pulp production. The solution combines real-time data, advanced analytics, and coordinated process control to improve productivity and operational resilience across the entire mill. It enables manufacturers to optimize production planning, increase efficiency, and respond more effectively to changing process conditions.

In February 2023, First Quality Enterprises Inc., a US-based consumer product manufacturer and distributor, acquired a pulp mill in Dryden from Domtar Corporation for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition expands their operations and grants the Dryden pulp mill the capability to produce high-quality Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) pulp for customers in the North American region. Domtar Corporation, the seller, is a US-based wood fiber-based paper and pulp product manufacturer. This acquisition reflects a strategic move to strengthen capabilities and increase regional market influence in the pulp mills sector.

Major companies operating in the pulp mills market are International Paper Company, Stora Enso Pulp AB, WestRock Company, Georgia-Pacific Pulp and Paper LLC, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corporation, Sappi Global, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Sonoco Products Company, Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A., PT. Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk, BillerudKorsnas AB, Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited, Mondi Group plc, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA, Metsa Board Corporation, Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited, Rottneros AB, Domtar Corporation, Canfor Pulp Products Inc., Mercer International Inc., Resolute Forest Products Inc., Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd., Fibria Celulose S.A., Klabin S.A., CMPC Celulosa S.A., Celulosa Arauco y Constitucion S.A., Eldorado Brasil Celulose S.A., Verso Corporation, P.H. Glatfelter Company, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Heinzel Holding GmbH

North-America was the largest region in the pulp mills market in 2025. The regions covered in the pulp mills market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the pulp mills market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The pulp mill market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing softwood, hardwood, and paper, including printing paper, newsprint, and packaging materials. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Pulp Mills Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses pulp mills market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

Reasons to Purchase

• Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 16 geographies.
• Assess the impact of key macro factors such as geopolitical conflicts, trade policies and tariffs, inflation and interest rate fluctuations, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
• Identify growth segments for investment.
• Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
• Understand customers based on end user analysis.
• Benchmark performance against key competitors based on market share, innovation, and brand strength.
• Evaluate the total addressable market (TAM) and market attractiveness scoring to measure market potential.
• Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high-quality data and analysis
• Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 2-3 working days of order along with an Excel data sheet for easy data extraction and analysis.
• All data from the report will also be delivered in an excel dashboard format.

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for pulp mills ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The pulp mills market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Source: Wood Pulp Or Virgin Fiber Pulp; Non-Wood Pulp; Recycled Pulp Or De Inked Pulp
• 2) By Grade: Mechanical; Chemical; Semi-Chemical
• 3) By End User: Packaging Manufacturers; Publishers And Stationery Manufacturers; Sanitary And Household Product Manufacturers
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Wood Pulp Or Virgin Fiber Pulp: Softwood Pulp; Hardwood Pulp
• 2) By Non-Wood Pulp: Bamboo Pulp; Bagasse Pulp; Straw Pulp; Kenaf Pulp
• 3) By Recycled Pulp Or De-Inked Pulp: Post-Consumer Waste Pulp; Pre-Consumer Waste Pulp
• Companies Mentioned: International Paper Company; Stora Enso Pulp AB; WestRock Company; Georgia-Pacific Pulp and Paper LLC; Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.; Oji Holdings Corporation; Sappi Global; UPM-Kymmene Corporation; Sonoco Products Company; Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A.; PT. Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk; BillerudKorsnas AB; Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited; Mondi Group plc; Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA; Metsa Board Corporation; Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited; Rottneros AB; Domtar Corporation; Canfor Pulp Products Inc.; Mercer International Inc.; Resolute Forest Products Inc.; Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd.; Fibria Celulose S.A.; Klabin S.A.; CMPC Celulosa S.A.; Celulosa Arauco y Constitucion S.A.; Eldorado Brasil Celulose S.A.; Verso Corporation; P.H. Glatfelter Company; Catalyst Paper Corporation; Heinzel Holding GmbH
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: Word, PDF or Interactive Report
• + Excel Dashboard
• Added Benefits
• Bi-Annual Data Update
• Customisation
• Expert Consultant Support

Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.