Food Contact Paper Global Market Report 2026

Food contact paper is a variety of food packaging material designed to come into direct contact with food for the purpose of facilitating transportation, preventing contamination, and prolonging the shelf life of packaged food items. This particular type of food packaging paper possesses barrier properties, heat retention capabilities, and moisture emissivity, all of which contribute to enhanced food safety.

Food contact papers come in two main types, poly-coated and non-poly coated. Poly-coated paper is characterized by a layer of polyethylene coating, providing a protective barrier against moisture and grease. It is commonly employed in the packaging of food products such as take-out containers, paper cups, and fast-food wrappers. These papers are crafted from materials such as kraft paper, specialty paper, recycled paper, and other suitable materials, making them suitable for various applications in bakery and confectionery, fresh food, dairy products, fast food, baby food, and other related areas.

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 impacting the food contact paper market by increasing costs of imported specialty papers, coating chemicals, pulp inputs, and processing machinery used in poly-coated and non-poly-coated paper production. Food packaging manufacturers in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on export-driven paper processing. These tariffs are raising packaging costs and affecting margins for food producers. However, they are also encouraging local paper manufacturing, increased use of recycled inputs, and innovation in cost-efficient and sustainable food contact paper solutions.

The food contact paper market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides food contact paper market statistics, including food contact paper industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a food contact paper market share, detailed food contact paper market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the food contact paper industry. This food contact paper 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 food contact paper market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $76.17 billion in 2025 to $80.07 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in packaged food consumption, expansion of bakery and confectionery markets, rising demand for hygienic food packaging, increased use of paper-based wraps, growth of quick-service restaurants.

The food contact paper market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $99.43 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulatory focus on sustainable packaging, rising demand for biodegradable food contact materials, expansion of ready-to-eat food consumption, growing emphasis on food safety standards, increasing adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of greaseproof and barrier coated papers, rising demand for recyclable food packaging materials, growing adoption of moisture-resistant food papers, expansion of food safety compliant packaging, enhanced focus on shelf-life extension.

The rapid growth of the food and beverage industry is expected to drive the expansion of the food contact paper market going forward. The food and beverage sector includes the production and distribution of a broad range of consumable products, such as fresh and packaged foods, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and processed food items. Food contact paper plays a vital role in this industry by supporting food safety, preservation, convenience, and brand presentation while adhering to regulatory requirements. For example, in July 2025, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a Canada-based government department, the food and beverage processing sector remained the country's largest manufacturing industry by production value in 2024, generating $173.4 billion in goods. This accounted for 20.3% of total manufacturing sales and contributed 1.6% to Canada's GDP. Exports of processed food and beverage products reached a record $59.8 billion, representing a 3.8% increase from 2023 and comprising 34.5% of the industry's total production value. Therefore, the continued expansion of the food and beverage industry is fueling growth in the food contact paper market.

Key companies operating in the food contact paper market are increasingly engaging in partnerships to boost market revenue and accelerate innovation. Strategic collaborations help advance product development, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote sustainability initiatives within the food contact paper industry, benefiting manufacturers, consumers, and the environment alike. For instance, in August 2023, Ahlstrom, a Finland-based fiber-based materials company, partnered with The Paper People, a US-based sustainable packaging provider, to develop a fiber-based frozen food packaging solution. This innovative and environmentally friendly packaging is intended to replace conventional fossil-based plastics and films commonly used in frozen food applications.

In March 2024, ProAmpac LLC, a US-based flexible packaging company, acquired UP Paper LLC for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, ProAmpac seeks to reinforce its presence in the food contact paper market by broadening its range of food-safe packaging solutions and improving its capacity to address customer demand for high-quality, compliant packaging materials. UP Paper LLC is a US-based paper manufacturer that produces various paper products, including food contact papers, packaging materials, and specialty papers for multiple industrial uses.

Major companies operating in the food contact paper market are Mondi plc, Westrock Company, Pudumjee Paper Products Ltd., Asian Pulp & Paper Company, Ahlstrom- Munksjo Oyj, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Twin River Paper Company, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc., SCG Packaging Public Company Limited, PT. Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk, Seaman Paper Company, Maesindo Indonesia, PT Parisindo Pratama, Harwal Group of Companies, Huhtamaki Oyj, International Paper Company, Smurfit Kappa Group, Stora Enso Oyj, Sappi Limited, Metsa Board Corporation, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corporation, Daio Paper Corporation, Rengo Co. Ltd., Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Limited, Fujian Liansheng Paper Industry Co. Ltd., Guangdong Guanhao High-Tech Co. Ltd., Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited, Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited, Shanying International Holdings Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Jinjia Group Co. Ltd., GM Packaging Ltd, Superiorpaper Pty Ltd, KRPA Holding CZ a.s., Nordic Paper

North America was the largest region in the food contact paper market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global food contact paper market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the food contact paper market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

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

The food contact paper market consists of sales of corrugated board, solid bleached sulfate (SBS) paperboard, and coated paper. 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.

Food Contact Paper 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 food contact paper 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.

Reasons to Purchase

• Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 16 geographies.
• Assess the impact of key macro factors such as geopolitical conflicts, trade policies and tariffs, inflation and interest rate fluctuations, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
• Identify growth segments for investment.
• Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
• Understand customers based on end user analysis.
• Benchmark performance against key competitors based on market share, innovation, and brand strength.
• Evaluate the total addressable market (TAM) and market attractiveness scoring to measure market potential.
• Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high-quality data and analysis
• Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 2-3 working days of order along with an Excel data sheet for easy data extraction and analysis.
• All data from the report will also be delivered in an excel dashboard format.

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for food contact paper ? 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 food contact paper 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: Poly Coated; Non-Poly Coated
• 2) By Material: Kraft Paper; Specialty Paper; Recycled Paper; Other Materials
• 3) By Application: Bakery And Confectionery; Fresh Food; Dairy Products; Fast Food; Baby Food; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Poly Coated: Polyethylene Coated Paper; Polypropylene Coated Paper
• 2) By Non-Poly Coated: Greaseproof Paper; Waxed Paper; Parchment Paper; Kraft Paper
• Companies Mentioned: Mondi plc; Westrock Company; Pudumjee Paper Products Ltd.; Asian Pulp & Paper Company; Ahlstrom- Munksjo Oyj; Georgia-Pacific LLC; Twin River Paper Company; UPM-Kymmene Corporation; Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc.; SCG Packaging Public Company Limited; PT. Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk; Seaman Paper Company; Maesindo Indonesia; PT Parisindo Pratama; Harwal Group of Companies; Huhtamaki Oyj; International Paper Company; Smurfit Kappa Group; Stora Enso Oyj; Sappi Limited; Metsa Board Corporation; Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.; Oji Holdings Corporation; Daio Paper Corporation; Rengo Co. Ltd.; Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Limited; Fujian Liansheng Paper Industry Co. Ltd.; Guangdong Guanhao High-Tech Co. Ltd.; Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited; Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited; Shanying International Holdings Co. Ltd.; Shenzhen Jinjia Group Co. Ltd.; GM Packaging Ltd; Superiorpaper Pty Ltd; KRPA Holding CZ a.s.; Nordic Paper
• 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.
• Delivery Format: Word, PDF or Interactive Report
• + Excel Dashboard
• Added Benefits
• Bi-Annual Data Update
• Customisation
• Expert Consultant Support

Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.