Report

The US Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 208.98 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 254.01 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.98% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Key Highlights
- The US packaging industry is experiencing growth and developing innovative solutions for various packaging challenges. The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has identified opportunities to promote the benefits of flexible packaging in reducing food waste. The FPA suggests that flexible packaging can effectively reduce food waste when a "systems approach" is applied, considering both product and packaging aspects.
- Paperboard packaging is widely used in the packaged food market, particularly for products such as soups, seasonings, and dairy items. It is often coated with polymers or plastics to maintain cleanliness and preserve food quality. Compared to glass and metal alternatives, paperboard reduces the overall weight of the final product while preserving food freshness. Its odor and taste neutrality make it an ideal packaging material.
- The market is primarily driven by the growth of e-commerce sales and increasing demand for folded carton packaging. However, the availability of high-performance alternatives may hinder market growth. Paperboard packaging is recognized as an environmentally friendly option and can be produced in various sizes with a small footprint, making it suitable for multiple end-user sectors.
- The US retail market offers numerous growth opportunities for providers of all sizes. The increasing share of e-commerce sales is expected to impact the market positively. Many companies are still adapting their packaging for e-commerce, and overpacking is common in shipments from distribution centers to consumers. This complex retail chain leads to additional waste, energy consumption, and pollution. With its waterproof and lightweight properties, flexible packaging offers dimensional weight benefits that are attractive to e-commerce providers.
- Stringent environmental regulations from the federal government on plastic packaging are likely to affect market growth. For instance, in April 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a draft of the "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution" for public feedback. This initiative, part of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to create a sustainable economy, aims to halt the distribution of plastic and other waste from land-based sources into the environment by 2040.


US Packaging Market Trends

Paper and Paperboard Vertical to Hold Significant Market Share


- The United States remains one of the world's largest cardboard box producers and consumers, driven by high demand from downstream sectors. The country's cardboard box exports are also experiencing consistent growth. The United States is a key region in North America that is showing significant shifts in the paper market, largely due to government-led environmental safety initiatives. The demand for paper is increasing as consumer preferences shift toward biodegradable and sustainable packaging materials.
- The comprehensive ban on plastic materials in developed countries, including the United States, has positively impacted the market. The United States has announced plans to ban single-use plastics on public lands by 2032. This phased approach will gradually eliminate single-use plastics from national parks and other public areas over the next decade. The ban will encompass the marketing and distribution of plastic bottles, bags, and wrappers for food, drinks, and other items. Government agencies have been given one year to develop strategies for transitioning to alternatives such as compostable and biodegradable materials, with a deadline of 2032 to complete the shift.
- End users, particularly in the food and beverage industry and household care goods manufacturing, increasingly recognize the importance of using environmentally friendly packaging materials. Folding cartons, made from recyclable and biodegradable materials like paperboard, offer a sustainable alternative with minimal environmental impact. Responding to this trend, many suppliers now offer folding cartons with a high percentage of recycled paper content, further enhancing their environmental benefits.
- Cardboard box exports from the United States are also steadily increasing. According to International Paper, one of the country's top suppliers of containerboard and corrugated cardboard, the United States exported corrugated packaging totaling 416 billion square feet (BSF). Corrugated box shipments from the United States are anticipated to grow significantly between 2022 and 2026 to reach 560 BSF.


Food and Beverage to Hold Significant Market Share


- The food segment holds a significant market share due to increasing demand for food services and growth in the retail food business. Consumers are becoming more health-conscious, driving demand for fresh, healthy food delivery and consequently impacting food packaging requirements.
- The expansion of meal kit businesses like Hello Fresh and food delivery services such as Uber Eats is contributing to increased packaging demand. This trend is partly driven by millennials and younger consumers who frequently use these services while maintaining environmental awareness.
- The US beverage industry has experienced significant growth due to changing consumer habits. According to PMMI's Beverage Report, the North American beverage industry is projected to grow by 4.5% from 2018 to 2028, with the United States accounting for the majority of beverage sales in North America.
- Paper and cardboard are emerging as viable alternatives to plastic packaging for various food products. Recycled or compostable paper packaging can be produced more efficiently from recycled materials. Sustainable strengthening methods, such as water-based coatings, enable paper substitutes to achieve comparable strength, moisture resistance, and durability to plastic.
- Metal packaging is finding extensive application in the food and beverage industry, offering superior protection for food content and ensuring a longer shelf life than most other packaging solutions.
- According to the United Nations, global urbanization is rapidly increasing, with the proportion of people living in urban areas expected to reach 66% by 2050. This urbanization trend, coupled with rising affluence, is driving changes in dietary habits characterized by high demand for packaged food.
- In recent years, there has been a significant push for organic packaged food and more ecological packaging, particularly food and drink items. The Organic Trade Association reports that demand for organic packaged food is growing substantially. Its value is expected to increase from USD 17,459 million in 2018 to USD 25,060 million in 2025.


US Packaging Industry Overview

The US packaging industry is fragmented and has several major players. Some major players are American Packaging Corporation, Sonoco Products Company, Sealed Air Corp., and Owen Illinois Inc. With the rising demand for packaging applications and technological advancements across the country's economy, many companies are increasing their market presence by expanding their business footprint across various end-user industries.

Additional Benefits:

- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support