How the EUDR Is Reshaping the Paper Industry: 100% Recycled Paper Gets an Exemption

As the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) enters its final countdown, the global paper industry is facing both new challenges and new opportunities. For printing and packaging companies, this is not just a compliance issue — it’s a turning point for industry transformation.

What Is EUDR and Why It Matters

The EUDR (EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products) was introduced to prevent global deforestation and illegal logging. Its main goal is to ensure that products entering the EU market — including paper, pulp, wood, coffee, soy, and others — do not come from deforested or degraded areas.

The regulation officially took effect in June 2023 and, after an 18-month transition period and an additional delay, will be fully enforced on December 30, 2025. By then, all paper products entering the EU market must provide detailed traceability documentation — including the exact location of the forest where the wood pulp was harvested and proof of legality.

For China, one of the world’s largest paper exporters, this means more than compliance paperwork. It requires a complete digitalized supply chain that can verify and trace raw materials at every stage of production and export.

The Key Update: 100% Recycled Paper Is Exempt

One major highlight of the EUDR has caught the attention of the global paper trade:

Paper products made entirely from 100% recycled materials are exempt from the regulation’s traceability requirements.

In other words, if the paper is produced entirely from recovered waste paper — whether pre-consumer or post-consumer waste — it does not need to trace back to the original forest or wood source. This is seen as a strong endorsement of circular production and sustainable paper manufacturing.

For Chinese paper mills, printers, and packaging producers serving the EU market, this exemption could be a real advantage. It means that 100% recycled paper products can enter the EU market faster and at a lower compliance cost, while mixed-fiber products (those containing virgin pulp) will face stricter traceability obligations.

Challenges and Opportunities for Chinese Paper Companies

Even with the exemption, EUDR will still have a major impact on China’s paper supply chain.

Traceability Pressure on Virgin Pulp

Many Chinese paper mills use a mix of imported and domestic pulp, making it difficult to trace the exact origin of the fibers. Under EUDR, mills must provide precise geographic data on forest harvesting, which will be a major obstacle for small and mid-sized producers.

Rising Demand for Recycled Paper

Since 100% recycled paper is exempt from traceability requirements, demand for it is expected to grow quickly over the next few years. Printers, publishers, and packaging companies will increasingly prefer recycled paper that already meets EUDR standards.

Green Certification and Brand Trust

Beyond compliance, EUDR will also reshape brand trust. EU buyers are likely to prioritize suppliers with FSC, PEFC, or EUDR-compliant documentation. For exporters, transparency and traceability will become the new competitive edge.

Golden Paper’s Response and Commitment

As a long-established global paper supplier, Golden Paper has been closely following the development of the EUDR and working with both upstream mills and downstream customers to adapt to the new regulation.

We see EUDR not only as an environmental policy but also as a valuable opportunity to accelerate sustainable transformation in the paper industry.

Golden Paper has already partnered with pulp suppliers that provide full traceability and certification. At the same time, we are expanding our range of high-quality recycled paper products, including packaging boards, coated paperboards, and duplex boards, to help customers meet EU standards while maintaining excellent printing and visual performance.

For printing and packaging manufacturers, paper is not just a raw material — it represents product quality and brand value. That’s why Golden Paper is committed to supporting our customers through every regulatory change with reliable quality, compliance support, and flexible sourcing options.

A Shared Path Toward Green Compliance

The EUDR will undoubtedly reshape the global paper trade. The exemption for 100% recycled paper provides new opportunities, but companies relying on virgin pulp still face major challenges.

No matter what type of paper our customers choose — recycled or virgin — Golden Paper will always stand with them, working together to meet EUDR requirements and ensure smooth, compliant exports to the EU market.

Green. Compliant. Reliable. That’s the Golden Paper promise to our global printing and packaging partners.