Import-Export Pulp and Related Material in Thailand and Its Application

According to the record data during 2016 – 2020 from the Thai Customs website, it can be found that the top 5 countries
that Thailand imports of the pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material are 1) Brazil 2) South Africa 3) Indonesia 4) Chile
and 5) Finland as shown in Fig. 1.

*Note: For 2020, the data are recorded until July

Fig. 1 Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material import data from 2016-2020

It can be said that pulp from Brazil is most likely to be popular with many paper mills in Thailand. There is evidence to support
the mentioned words above.
That is the number one exporter pulp in the world is also from Brazil as you can see the record data
in Fig. 2.

*Note: The bar represents for quantity, and the line represents for value.

Fig. 2 Export data of Brazil pulp from 2009 – 2018

Why is Brazil being the number one pulp exporter in the world? It is because this country has natural sources that are suitable for increasing forest productivity with the good quality of soil and the appropriate climate condition. Moreover, the forestry plantation plays
a vital role in driving the economy which can be calculated around 4.2 percent of the country’s exports.

In Thailand, there are 2 main mills who produce pulp for domestic and export; Double A and SCG where can produce only LBKP
while Thailand is still unable to produce long fibers. Therefore, we have to import NBKP from the South America area such as Brazil.

*Note: For 2020, the data are recorded until July

Fig. 3 Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material export data from 2016-2020.

From Fig. 3, the top 5 countries that export of pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material is 1) France 2) China 3) Vietnam
4) Korea and 5) Taiwan. Why does Thailand dominantly export pulp to France? The possible reason should be Double A has taken over the Alizay mill in France since 2013 and using his own hardwood pulp from Thailand for production.

The main application of NBKP is to apply for special paper, printing paper, writing paper, tissue, box or mold that need the strength.

On the other hand, LBKP is apply to high-grade writing paper, copy paper, white paperboard, security paper, cigarette paper, toilet paper, napkin and other paper manufacture.

Daiwa Shiryo Trading can provide virgin pulps both long (NBKP) and short (LBKP) fiber including non-wood species from many areas
as follows;

  • NBKP from Finland
  • LBKP from South Korea
  • Unbleached bamboo pulp from Thailand
  • Bleached bamboo pulp from China
  • etc.

If you are interested in these products, please do not hesitate to contact us via sales@daiwashiryotrading.com for more information.

References:

https://ifcextapps.ifc.org/IFCExt/Pressroom/IFCPressRoom.nsf/0/5CEC25C2FA3E96908525857B00491074

https://www.tridge.com/intelligences/wood-pulp/export