Chipboard Packaging Global Market Report 2026

Chipboard packaging refers to packaging materials crafted from compressed layers of paper or cardboard. Typically, it is produced by pulping recycled paper waste, compressing it, and bonding it together to form a sturdy sheet. Chipboard packaging finds widespread use in products such as cereal boxes, shoe boxes, and various types of retail packaging. It offers a lightweight yet robust solution for safeguarding and presenting goods during shipping and display.

The primary types of chipboard packaging products include folding cartons, rigid boxes, inserts and dividers, display packaging, specialized packaging, and chipboard pads. A folding carton is a paperboard container used to package a variety of goods such as food, retail items, cosmetics, and electronics. These cartons are available in both brown and white varieties and are utilized across industries including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, electronics, jewelry, cosmetics, personal care, household goods, and decorative items.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the chipboard packaging market by increasing costs of imported paper pulp, recycled fiber inputs, printing equipment, and converting machinery. Packaging producers in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on export-oriented packaging products. These tariffs are raising production costs and affecting pricing strategies. However, they are also supporting domestic recycling programs, local paperboard production, and investment in regionally integrated packaging supply chains.

The chipboard packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides chipboard packaging market statistics, including chipboard packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a chipboard packaging market share, detailed chipboard packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the chipboard packaging industry. This chipboard packaging market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The chipboard packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.18 billion in 2025 to $14.31 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of consumer goods packaging demand, growth of retail and e-commerce sectors, availability of recycled paper raw materials, adoption of standardized packaging formats, increasing use of folding cartons.

The chipboard packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.26 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions, rising customization in brand packaging, expansion of e-commerce protective packaging, growing investments in digital printing technologies, increasing focus on cost-efficient packaging designs. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of recycled paperboard materials, rising demand for retail-ready packaging, growing adoption of custom inserts and dividers, expansion of lightweight protective packaging, enhanced focus on print and finish quality.

The chipboard packaging market is poised for growth, driven by the expanding reach of e-commerce. E-commerce involves the online buying and selling of goods or services, facilitated by digital transactions and internet platforms. This growth is fueled by factors such as increased social media usage, the convenience of personalized shopping experiences online, and the ability to compare products and prices easily. Chipboard packaging plays a crucial role in e-commerce by providing lightweight, protective, and environmentally friendly packaging solutions for shipping products to customers. For example, the United States Census Bureau reported in May 2024 that U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the first quarter of 2024 reached $289.2 billion, indicating a 2.1 percent (+-0.7%) increase from the fourth quarter of 2023, underscoring the significant impact of e-commerce on the chipboard packaging market.

Leading companies in the chipboard packaging market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as recyclable cardboard protective buffers for heavy industrial parts and machinery, to combine strong protection with sustainability and space-efficient logistics. A "recyclable cardboard protective buffer" is a corrugated fibre-based packaging insert designed to absorb shocks and vibrations during transport while being fully recyclable through standard paper-fibre recycling processes. For example, in November 2025, DS Smith Plc, a UK-based provider of fibre-based packaging solutions and supply-chain protective packaging, launched a new range of cardboard protective buffers in collaboration with Dynamic Logistic Systems (DLS). This packaging incorporates double-walled corrugated cardboard side panels, reinforced end-caps, and custom-shaped buffers to provide robust protection for critical machine components against shocks and vibrations during local and international transportation. It requires about 60% less storage and transport volume compared to previous foam-based solutions, enhancing warehouse efficiency and stacking density. By replacing Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) solutions, these fibre-based buffers support circular-economy objectives, reduce reliance on plastic, and offer a sustainable, protective alternative for industrial logistics packaging.

In November 2023, Sonoco Products Company, a prominent U.S.-based provider of consumer packaging solutions, acquired RTS Packaging LLC for $330 million. This acquisition enhances Sonoco's capabilities in 100% recycled fiber-based packaging solutions, reinforcing its position in sectors such as consumer wine, spirits, food, beauty, and healthcare. RTS Packaging LLC specializes in manufacturing chipboard packaging and aligns with Sonoco's strategy to meet the growing demands of diverse markets.

Major companies operating in the chipboard packaging market are Graphic Packaging International LLC, Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG, Elopak, Great Northern Corp., RTS Packaging LLC, Associated Bag Co., Deluxe Packaging Inc., PakFactory Inc., Carton Service Inc., Neway Packaging Corporation, Alpha Packaging Inc., Riverside Paper Co. Inc., Peek Packaging Inc., Ameripak CO., Stamar Packaging Inc., Multicell Packaging Inc., Mankato Packaging Co., Quality Support LLC, Imperial Printing & Paper Box Mfg. Co., Romiley Board Mill, Canpaco Inc., Classic Packaging Corp., Complete Finishings Inc., Imperial Paper Company, Marion Paper Box Company

North America was the largest region in the chipboard packaging market in 2025. The regions covered in the chipboard packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the chipboard packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The chipboard packaging market consists of sales of tissue boxes, milk and juice cartons, and cracker boxes. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Chipboard Packaging Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses chipboard packaging market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for chipboard packaging ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The chipboard packaging market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Product: Folding Cartons; Rigid Boxes; Inserts And Dividers; Display Packaging; Chipboard Pads
• 2) By Category: Brown; White
• 3) By Application: Food And Beverage; Pharmaceuticals; Electronics; Cosmetics; Personal Care; Household And Decorative; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Folding Cartons: Standard Folding Cartons; Windowed Folding Cartons; Retail Packaging Folding Cartons
• 2) By Rigid Boxes: Luxury Rigid Boxes; E-Commerce Rigid Boxes; Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Rigid Boxes
• 3) By Inserts And Dividers: Protective Inserts; Custom Dividers; Pre-formed Inserts
• 4) By Display Packaging: Point of Sale (POS) Displays; Shelf-Ready Packaging (SRP); Floor Displays
• 5) By Chipboard Pads: Protective Pads; Cushioning Pads; Custom-Sized Pads
• Companies Mentioned: Graphic Packaging International LLC; Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG; Elopak; Great Northern Corp.; RTS Packaging LLC; Associated Bag Co.; Deluxe Packaging Inc.; PakFactory Inc.; Carton Service Inc.; Neway Packaging Corporation; Alpha Packaging Inc.; Riverside Paper Co. Inc.; Peek Packaging Inc.; Ameripak CO.; Stamar Packaging Inc.; Multicell Packaging Inc.; Mankato Packaging Co.; Quality Support LLC; Imperial Printing & Paper Box Mfg. Co.; Romiley Board Mill; Canpaco Inc.; Classic Packaging Corp.; Complete Finishings Inc.; Imperial Paper Company; Marion Paper Box Company
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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