Containerboard Global Market Report 2026

Containerboard is a type of paperboard specifically engineered for manufacturing corrugated boxes and packaging materials. It is valued for its strength, durability, and ability to withstand the rigors of stacking and handling during transportation. Containerboard typically comprises multiple layers of paper, featuring linerboard on the outer surfaces and corrugating medium as the inner layer.

The main types of containerboard include kraftliners, testliners, and fluting. Kraftliners are robust, coarse papers used primarily as the outer layers of containerboard, prized for their high strength and resilience in packaging applications. These materials are crafted from both recycled and virgin fibers, serving diverse end-use industries such as food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics, and others.

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 containerboard market by increasing costs of imported pulp, recovered paper, paper chemicals, and paper manufacturing machinery. Packaging producers in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces export pricing pressures. These tariffs are impacting operating margins and supply contracts. However, they are also encouraging domestic pulp sourcing, increased recycling capacity, and regional investment in containerboard manufacturing infrastructure.

The containerboard market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides containerboard market statistics, including containerboard industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a containerboard market share, detailed containerboard market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the containerboard industry. This containerboard 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 containerboard market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $138.25 billion in 2025 to $143.66 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of corrugated packaging demand, growth in manufacturing and logistics activities, increased use of paper-based packaging, rising demand from food and beverage sector, wider availability of recycled paper feedstock.

The containerboard market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $165.19 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing emphasis on sustainable packaging solutions, rising e-commerce shipment volumes, expansion of smart packaging innovations, increasing investments in advanced paper mills, growing demand for high-performance containerboard. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of recycled fiber in containerboard production, rising demand for high-strength corrugated packaging, growing adoption of lightweight packaging solutions, expansion of containerboard applications in e-commerce, enhanced focus on packaging performance optimization.

The increasing demand for electronic items is expected to drive the growth of the containerboard market in the coming years. Electronic items include devices and equipment that function using electronic circuits and rely on controlled electrical currents to perform specific tasks. Consumption of electronic products is rising due to factors such as expanding digital connectivity, ongoing digital transformation, rapid growth of e-commerce, and rising demand from emerging economies. Containerboard is widely used in the electronics sector to provide durable and environmentally friendly packaging that protects products during transportation and handling. Its recyclable properties also align with sustainability initiatives within the electronics industry. For example, in May 2023, according to the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, a Japan-based trade organization, total consumer electronics production reached $204.75 million (¥32,099 million), up from $161.17 million (¥25,268 million) in May 2022. Therefore, rising demand for electronic products is contributing to the expansion of the containerboard market.

Companies operating in the containerboard market are increasingly focusing on the development of innovative solutions, such as recyclable containerboard products, to improve sustainability and comply with environmental regulations. Recyclable containerboard refers to paperboard materials that can be efficiently recycled and reused, reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainable packaging practices. For instance, in June 2024, Mondi, a UK-based packaging company, introduced ProVantage SmartKraft Brown and White to address a wide range of packaging needs while maintaining quality and performance. These new containerboard grades combine fresh and recycled fibers, featuring a fresh-fiber top layer that delivers superior strength, improved tunability, and excellent printability, along with an underlayer made entirely from recycled fiber to enhance environmental responsibility. This material combination ensures high performance while maintaining strong sustainability credentials.

In January 2023, Stora Enso Oyj, a Finland-based packaging company, acquired De Jong Verpakking B.V. for approximately $1.09 billion (€1.02 billion). This acquisition is intended to accelerate Stora Enso's growth in renewable corrugated packaging and expand its footprint across the European market. By integrating De Jong Packaging Group, Stora Enso aims to strengthen its capabilities in fresh produce, e-commerce, and industrial packaging, while increasing its market share in key European regions. De Jong Verpakking B.V. is a Netherlands-based packaging company specializing in containerboard solutions.

Major companies operating in the containerboard market are International Paper and Power Corporation, WestRock Co., Georgia-Pacific Plywood & Lumber Company, Smurfit Kappa Group, Oji Holdings Corporation, Stora Enso Oyj, Mondi Group plc, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited, South African Pulp and Paper Industries Limited (SAPPI), Rengo Co.Ltd., Greif Inc., Klabin S.A., Cascades Inc., Lee and Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd., Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA), Cheng Loong Corp., Europac Group, Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited, Siam Kraft Industry Co. Ltd., Hamburger Containerboard, Sun Paper Co.

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

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

The containerboard market consists of sales of dual-use boards, high-performance containerboard, preprinted linerboards, and wax-free containerboard. 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.

Containerboard 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 containerboard 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 containerboard ? 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 containerboard 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 Type: Kraftliners; Testliners; Fluting
• 2) By Material: Recycled; Virgin
• 3) By End-Use Industry: Food And Beverage; Cosmetics And Personal Care; Pharmaceuticals; Textile Industry; Electrical And Electronics; Other End-User Industries
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Kraftliners:Unbleached Kraftliners; Bleached Kraftliners
• 2) By Testliners: Recycled Testliners; Virgin Testliners
• 3) By Fluting: Single-Wall Fluting; Double-Wall Fluting; Triple-Wall Fluting
• Companies Mentioned: International Paper and Power Corporation; WestRock Co.; Georgia-Pacific Plywood & Lumber Company; Smurfit Kappa Group; Oji Holdings Corporation; Stora Enso Oyj; Mondi Group plc; Packaging Corporation of America (PCA); Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited; South African Pulp and Paper Industries Limited (SAPPI); Rengo Co.Ltd.; Greif Inc.; Klabin S.A.; Cascades Inc.; Lee and Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.; Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA); Cheng Loong Corp.; Europac Group; Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited; Siam Kraft Industry Co. Ltd.; Hamburger Containerboard; Sun Paper Co.
• 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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