Report

Global paper packaging market is projected to witness a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 401.2 billion in 2023 to USD 570.98 billion in 2031. Focus on sustainability and concerns for reduced environmental impacts have been a major driving force for global paper packaging market. Global paper packaging market is directly influenced by factors like growing demand for cosmetics and personal care products, electronic goods, etc, and these markets have expanded significantly in the past decade, putting paper packaging materials in a bright spot. A wide range of paper packaging materials, including corrugated board paper, cardboard paper, duplex board, kraft paper, wrapping paper, butter paper, virgin paper, ivory paper, and others, as well as several packaging formats, including boxes, bags and wrapping, are available in the market. Over time, sustainable product packaging will likely gain momentum, influenced by regulatory policies, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences.
The rise and expansion of e-commerce, marked by the demand for sturdy and protective packaging, has further fueled the adoption of corrugated boxes and paper-based solutions. Innovations in design, printing technologies, and advancements in paperboard materials contribute to the aesthetic appeal and functional diversity of paper packaging. Furthermore, the growth of the food and beverage industry is augmenting the demand for paper packaging, which is boosting the growth of the market. For instance, according to Food Drink Europe, a European Union food and beverage association, the European Union food and beverage sector turnover registered an annual growth rate of about 2.6%, reaching USD 1,180.5 billion in 2022 as opposed to USD 1,149.807 billion in 2021.
Sustainability and Circular Economy in Focus
Sustainability and the promotion of circular economy principles are major driving forces behind the growth and evolution of the global paper packaging market. As a result of growing environmental awareness, there has been an increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions, such as paper packaging, across businesses. Paper packaging is made from eco-friendly materials, which helps brands in lowering their negative environmental impact. Paper is inherently recyclable and biodegradable, making it a sustainable choice for packaging. This aligns with the circular economy model, where materials are designed to be reused, recycled, or naturally decomposed, minimizing waste, and reducing the overall impact on the environment. Increasing stringent environmental regulations and standards worldwide are also driving companies to adopt sustainable packaging solutions. Paper packaging's eco-friendly attributes make it a suitable choice for compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
In January 2024, Sacma introduced an oven bag made from FSC-certified grass paper and a Futamura cellulosic inner liner, with the pack also claiming to be recyclable and compostable in both domestic and industrial settings. The bag's tolerance to high temperatures makes it excellent for reheating in ovens, hot cabinets, or microwaves. It has also been tested at temperatures as low as -40C to ensure freezing compatibility.
Frugalpac, based in Ipswich, United Kingdom, manufactures wine and spirit bottles using 84% recycled paper, which is used in over 125 goods sold in Europe and North America. Meanwhile, the Frugal Cup, the company's initial product, is touted as the world's only recyclable beverage and food cup produced from 96% recycled paper and emits 60% less carbon than traditional paper cups.
Growth in E-commerce Business Segment
The world's population is continuously growing, leading to growth in demand for various types of products across the globe. Furthermore, the expansion of e-commerce has emerged as a significant driver of the global paper packaging market. E-commerce packaging solutions play a crucial role in meeting the unique requirements of online retail, driving the demand for paper-based packaging materials. Corrugated boxes, a popular paper packaging solution, are widely used for shipping goods purchased through online and e-commerce channels. The strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness of corrugated paper make it an ideal choice for protecting products during transit. The e-commerce industry requires various types of packaging solutions for transit purposes and the global paper packaging market offers such solutions in the form of boxes, bags, and wrapping papers completely made of paper.
According to a Package InSight poll, 67% of consumers believe that environmentally responsible packaging is crucial. In response, businesses are employing biodegradable materials, optimizing packing sizes, and establishing packaging-free programs. Going forward where eco-friendly materials are preferred, paper-based packaging is likely to grow significantly in e-commerce.
Walmart's online sales in the US are soaring. The retailer grew by 27% in Q1-23 compared to the same period last year. In June 2023, the retail behemoth intends to replace its plastic mailers with recyclable paper ones. This switch is anticipated to remove about 2,000 tons of plastic or 65 million plastic bag mailers from circulation in the United States. Walmart anticipates that half of its fulfillment network will use 60% less filler in its shipping cases and 26% less waste from big packages, made possible by technologies from Packsize.
Asia-Pacific Displaying an Impressive Growth Trajectory in the Market
Factors, such as the booming F&B industry, increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions, and surging investments in food takeaway outlets, are supplementing the growth of the paper packaging market in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the global paper packaging market holds significant growth potential in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in countries like India and China, and Southeast Asia as a whole. The Asia-Pacific region is a developing region, and these countries are displaying a high economic growth rate across different industrial verticals like electronics, e-commerce, F&B, and others. These industries find the maximum use case of paper packaging to fulfill the demand of a huge consumer base, along with the focus on sustainable practices, which is expected to drive the demand for paper packaging in the region.
China and India account for 75% of current global agricultural residue pulp-paper-packaging manufacturing. This expertise places India and China as leaders in sustainable packaging manufacturing in the coming years, reducing their reliance on imported carbon-intensive wood fiber. The continent's expertise in working with natural resources, such as straw, which is utilized as a feedstock for pulp manufacture, as well as the region's proven availability of raw materials, including agricultural leftovers and food waste, is placing Asia-Pacific at the forefront of the global paper packaging market.
In December 2023, JK Paper Group displayed its line of paper-based packaging products for the FMCG and pharmaceutical industries at the Paperex event in Greater Noida, India. The company believes that the prohibition on some single-use plastic items in India presents an opportunity for paper-based converters and intends to fill that gap as a leading provider. The company has also established a sheeting center in Bengaluru to serve customers in lesser volumes.
Future Market Scenario (2024 - 2031F)
- The demand for paper packaging is on an impressive growth trajectory and will keep on increasing in the coming years as people and businesses move away from plastics.
- As environmental concerns gain prominence, the application of more sustainable and eco-friendly packaging materials like paper will gain prominence.
- Favorable policies and regulations by government agencies all over the globe are expected to aid market growth.
- India and China are expected to dominate the market in the future with more technological advancements in paper packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and designs.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
The outlook for the global paper packaging market is optimistic and the market is likely to expand significantly in the foreseeable future. The heightened focus on sustainability is expected to drive the adoption of paper packaging in various industries. Consumers and businesses are increasingly seeking environmentally friendly alternatives, contributing to the global paper packaging market growth. The e-commerce market is likely to expand consistently, but different players will adopt paper-based packaging options to replace plastic packaging, thus there are lots of opportunities and growth potential in the e-commerce market, particularly corrugated boxes and paper mailers used for shipping. The market will witness continued innovation in packaging design and materials and is expected to shape the market. Major companies in paper packaging manufacturing are likely to invest in developing advanced paperboard materials and creative packaging designs. In the foreseeable future, Asia-Pacific is the region to watch out for both in terms of paper packaging materials production and consumption.
In October 2023, Nissin Foods USA, a prominent United States-based manufacturer of paper packaging, announced its plans to launch paper cup packaging for cup noodles by early 2024. Therefore, such developments in the latest paper-based packaging products will boost the revenue growth of the market in the upcoming years.
In August 2023, Amcor, a global player involved in the development and production of paper packaging solutions, launched curbside recyclable AmFiberTM Performance Paper packaging in the North American market. The primary focus of the new paper packaging product launch by Amcor was to increase the market share in the North American market.