Paper Packaging Market Analysis

Global Paper Packaging Market Overview

Paper Packaging Market Size was valued at USD 360081.0 Million in 2023. The paper packaging industry is projected to grow from USD 375359.9 Million in 2024 to USD 538920.5 Million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.62% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The rising inclination towards sustainable packaging driven by stringent regulations imposed by governments for environmental protection is the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Paper Packaging Market Trends

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  Growing Adoption of Containerboard to boost market growth

  
  

Due to its function in manufacturing and delivering necessary goods and the increased emphasis on e-commerce, containerboard had the strongest paper packaging market in 2020. The significant decrease in services spending had a detrimental effect on many other paper packaging grades, even if certain carton board grades related to packaged goods did well. In 2021, strong demand recovery stretched across all grades, fueled by the sustained positive containerboard market dynamics and an improving service outlook. The significance of this dynamic sector's involvement in boosting the growth of containerboard demand has grown as a result of the remarkable e-commerce success of 2020–21 which in return the demand for paper packaging.

Figure 1: Growth of paper packaging in tonesSource: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Additionally, a cross-commodity price rating agency, before a decline in 2019 due to sluggish  manufacturing, the demand for paper packaging increased ly by an average of 5.8 million tonnes annually from 2014 to 2018. As a result, the market continues to follow or lag behind its long-term trend. Demand was unchanged in 2020 before increasing by 12.7 million tonnes in 2021. Therefore, such factors have recently enhanced the market CAGR across the globe in the recent years.

Paper-based alternatives will continue to benefit from increased opposition to single-use plastics in 2022, with the trend starting to take off in Europe. This will expand the paper packaging industry to expand and act as another factor driving the growth of the paper packaging market revenue.

Paper Packaging Market Segment Insights

Paper Packaging Type Insights

The  paper packaging market segmentation, based on type, includes corrugated boxes, boxboard or paperboard cartons, paper bags and sacks, and paper pouches. The corrugated paper packaging segment held the majority share in 2021 contribution to around ~50-55% in respect to the  market revenue.  Compared to standard cardboard boxes, corrugated boxes are more robust. They serve as a sturdy cushion for any goods they are transporting throughout shipping and handling. The size of corrugated cardboard can vary depending on its thickness and size.

November 2022: JK Paper has agreed to acquire HPPL and SPPL, corrugated packaging manufacturers for around Rs. 578 crores through a shareholder’s agreement.

February 2022: WestRock announced its plans to set up a new plant in Longview, Washington for manufacturing of corrugated boxes.

Figure 2:  Paper Packaging Market, by Type, 2021 & 2030 (USD Million)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Boxboard or Paperboard Cartons is the second fastest-growing segment, which accounts for a considerable share of the paper packaging market share. A single item like breakfast cereal, shoes, crackers, or a toy is sometimes transported in a boxboard, a thin, lighter-weight carton. It lacks the corrugating medium, an intermediate layer with waves that give boxes strength.  

Paper Packaging Level of Packaging Insights

The  paper packaging market segmentation, based on the level of packaging, includes primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary packaging segment dominated the market in 2021 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030. The pharmaceutical, personal care, household care, and food and beverage industries' rising demand for primary packaging are anticipated to boost the worldwide packaging industry. Hence, rising primary packaging applications positively impact the market growth.

Tertiary packing is one of the three forms of wrapping used to safeguard produced items for shipping or storage. It is employed to safeguard the product as well as both its secondary and main packing. Since retailers normally remove it before things are put up for sale, consumers rarely notice secondary packaging. Owing to the factors mentioned, tertiary packaging is the second fastest-growing segment in the  paper packaging market.

Paper Packaging End-User Industry Insights

The paper packaging market data has been divided into food & beverage, healthcare, and personal & home care. The food & beverage segment dominated the market in 2021 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030. Paper packaging is becoming more popular as the demand for frozen and fast food rises and suitable packaging is needed.

The pharmaceutical segment of the market is the second fastest segment by the end-user industry. The segment is being driven by the rise in population, rising life expectancy, rising health awareness, and increased awareness of the environmental impact of old packaging and the change to new packaging standards.

April 2022: A versatile paper-based medical packaging system that can withstand all three commonly used sterilizing methods—radiation, autoclave, and ethylene oxide—was unveiled by Neenah, Inc. By offering a distinctive substitute for the polymer-based or kraft medical packaging typically used for nasal swabs, syringes, bandages, and other single-use applications, this novel product enables companies to serve numerous markets and explore new prospects. This initiative has further broadened the growth opportunity for the paper packaging industry.

Paper Packaging Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific market accounted for USD 138297.45 million in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 42.10% growth during the study period. This is attributed to the growing presence of manufacturers and increasing government initiatives for protecting environment across the region.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are: The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3:  PAPER PACKAGING MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2021 (%)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

North America paper packaging market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the booming food and beverage and healthcare sectors in the area. Approximately 74 million metric tonnes of paper and paperboard were consumed in the Region in 2018, according to the UNECE and FAO. The market expansion in the area is largely due to the United States. The US paper packaging market dominates the region for folding carton packaging.

The Europe paper packaging market is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. The increasing demand for recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging choices is one of the major reasons propelling the growth of the paper packaging market in Europe. Moreover, Germany paper packaging market held the largest market share, and the UK paper packaging market was the fastest growing market in the Europe region

For instance, Germany paper packaging market is growing because according to PostNord, a supplier of postal services, in 2021, Germany had the greatest e-commerce consumer base with 62.1 million online buyers. Hence, Europe is anticipated to register the highest growth rate over the forecast period from 2022–2030.

Paper Packaging Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are investing a lot of money in money and other financial investments like R&D to improve their product portfolios, which will help the market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of both organic and inorganic growth initiatives to expand their presence, with key market developments such as new product innovations, contractual agreements, mergers & acquisitions, increased investments, and strategic collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the paper packaging industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

One of the primary business strategies adopted by manufacturers in the paper packaging industry to help clients and expand the market sector is to produce locally to decrease operating expenses. In recent years, the paper packaging industry has provided industries with some of the most significant benefits. The market major player such as International Paper Company (US), Mondi Group (UK), Smurfit Kappa Group (Ireland), DS Smith PLC (UK), WestRock Company (US), and others are working to scale the market demand by investing aggressively in research and development initiatives.

Mondi Group (UK) is a company involved in the packaging and paper industry with over 100 production facilities across more than 30 countries. In October 2022, At its flagship Štětí mill in the Czech Republic, Modi announced that a €400 million investment in a new paper plant had been approved. The investment will further solidify Mondi's position as the industry leader and is a part of the Group's €1 million expansionary capital investment program.

Also, Smurfit Kappa Group (Ireland) is a provider of paper-based packaging solutions. The company provides a portfolio of paper packaging solutions unmatched in the industry, and we are constantly adding new, industry-changing technologies. In May 2022, A novel and sustainable water-resistant paper has been created by Smurfit Kappa. The new TechniPaper portfolio from Smurfit Kappa includes AquaStop. It ushers in a new era of environmentally friendly packaging (Grease-proof, slip-resistant, moisture-resistant, flame-retardant, anti-static, and heat-sealable papers), and it includes a variety of high-performance papers made to withstand even the most intricate supply chains.

List of the Key Companies in the Paper Packaging market includes

• International Paper Company (US)


• Mondi Group (UK)


• Smurfit Kappa Group (Ireland)


• DS Smith PLC (UK)


• WestRock Company (US)


• Packaging Corporation of America (US)


• Cascades Inc. (Canada)


• Nippon Paper Industries Ltd. (Japan), among others

Paper Packaging Industry Developments

September 2021: Heinz has teamed up with WestRock to eliminate 550 tonnes of plastic packaging from multipacks in supermarkets in the United Kingdom as part of a EUR 25 million investment in more environmentally friendly options. The shrink-wrapped multipacks of Heinz Beanz, Heinz soups, and Heinz pasta varieties will be replaced on supermarket shelves by Heinz's recyclable paperboard sleeve.October 2023: Smurfit Kappa, a leading global provider of paper-based packaging solutions, announced that it had signed a partnership agreement with Nestle to develop sustainable packaging solutions for Nestle's products. The partnership will focus on developing recyclable and compostable paper packaging solutions.

Paper Packaging Market Segmentation

Paper Packaging Type Outlook

• Corrugated Boxes


• Boxboard or Paperboard Cartons


• Paper Bags and Sacks


• Paper Pouches

Paper Packaging Level of Packaging Outlook

• Primary


• Secondary


• Tertiary

Paper Packaging End-User Industry Outlook

• Food


• Beverage


• Healthcare


• Personal & Home Care

Paper Packaging Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America