Hardboard Market

The global hardboard market is projected to see steady growth in consumption over the next eight years, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% in volume and +4.1% in value from 2022 to 2030. In 2022, consumption increased by 16% to 16M cubic meters, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth after a period of decline. The market saw record high revenue of $9B in 2022, with notable contributions from countries like China, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Production of hardboard, however, experienced a decline in 2022, dropping to 11M cubic meters. Imports and exports of hardboard also saw growth, with global imports reaching 13M cubic meters and exports totaling 7.8M cubic meters in 2022. Key exporting countries include France, the Netherlands, and Germany, with notable growth in export volume and value. Overall, the global hardboard market is expected to continue on an upward trajectory, driven by increasing demand worldwide.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for hardboard worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 19M cubic meters by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $12.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Hardboard

In 2022, consumption of hardboard increased by 16% to 16M cubic meters, rising for the fourth year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, the total consumption indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +66.4% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global hardboard market revenue expanded markedly to $9B in 2022, with an increase of 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. Global consumption peaked at $10B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (3.7M cubic meters), the Netherlands (2.4M cubic meters) and Belgium (2.1M cubic meters), with a combined 50% share of global consumption. France, Denmark, Germany, Belarus, Spain, Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +46.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($2.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($960M). It was followed by Belgium.

In China, the hardboard market shrank by an average annual rate of -6.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+8.2% per year) and Belgium (+23.4% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of hardboard per capita consumption in 2022 were Belgium (177 cubic meters per 1000 persons), the Netherlands (139 cubic meters per 1000 persons) and Denmark (133 cubic meters per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +45.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Hardboard

After three years of growth, production of hardboard decreased by -1% to 11M cubic meters in 2022. In general, production showed a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 15M cubic meters. From 2014 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hardboard production shrank to $5.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $9.6B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (3.9M cubic meters) constituted the country with the largest volume of hardboard production, accounting for 35% of total volume. Moreover, hardboard production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Germany (1.3M cubic meters), threefold. Spain (754K cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.9% share.

In China, hardboard production contracted by an average annual rate of -5.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Germany (+0.3% per year) and Spain (+7.1% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Hardboard

In 2022, approx. 13M cubic meters of hardboard were imported worldwide; rising by 50% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 89%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, hardboard imports expanded remarkably to $2.4B in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (3.4M cubic meters), Belgium (2.8M cubic meters) and France (2.7M cubic meters) was the main importer of hardboard in the world, constituting 67% of total import. It was distantly followed by Denmark (831K cubic meters), achieving a 6.2% share of total imports. Poland (569K cubic meters), the Czech Republic (254K cubic meters), the United States (249K cubic meters), Spain (218K cubic meters), Italy (204K cubic meters) and Germany (201K cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Denmark (with a CAGR of +42.3%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($212M), the United States ($181M) and France ($170M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 23% share of global imports. Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

Among the main importing countries, Denmark, with a CAGR of +14.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average hardboard import price amounted to $181 per cubic meter, which is down by -27.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $744 per cubic meter. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($725 per cubic meter), while the Netherlands ($25 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+2.2%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Hardboard

In 2022, approx. 7.8M cubic meters of hardboard were exported worldwide; jumping by 35% on 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed strong growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, hardboard exports expanded remarkably to $2.9B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, France (1,693K cubic meters), the Netherlands (1,223K cubic meters), Belgium (969K cubic meters), Germany (863K cubic meters), Spain (589K cubic meters), Poland (457K cubic meters) and Turkey (348K cubic meters) represented the key exporter of hardboard in the world, creating 79% of total export. The United States (224K cubic meters), China (140K cubic meters) and Russia (137K cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +33.0%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($805M) remains the largest hardboard supplier worldwide, comprising 28% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($300M), with a 10% share of global exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 10% share.

In Germany, hardboard exports decreased by an average annual rate of -2.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (+4.6% per year) and Belgium (+6.5% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average hardboard export price stood at $368 per cubic meter in 2022, with a decrease of -19.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 12% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $712 per cubic meter in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($933 per cubic meter), while the Netherlands ($18 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+2.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform