Paperboard Packaging Global Market Report 2026

Paperboard packaging comprises containers made primarily from paperboards, commonly used in crafting folding cartons and paper cups, with coated boards being prevalent. These containers offer convenient storage, functional packaging, and ease of handling, boasting an attractive appearance. They are widely accepted and utilized more extensively than plastic containers due to various reasons, benefiting both end-users and the environment.

Paperboard packaging encompasses key types, including corrugated boxes, boxboards, and flexible paper. Corrugated boxes are characterized by rows of small air-filled grooves running along the material's length, typically three layers thick and composed of paperboard. Available in various grades such as solid bleached sulphate (SBS), coated unbleached kraft paperboard (CUK), white lined chipboard (WLC), glassine and greaseproof paper, label paper, and others, these materials cater to diverse packaging needs. Raw materials for paperboard production include fresh sources and recycled waste paper. The applications span across various industries such as food, beverage, healthcare, personal care, household care, and electrical products.

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 paperboard packaging market by increasing costs of imported pulp, specialty coatings, chemicals, and paper processing machinery used in corrugated boxes and folding cartons. Food, beverage, and healthcare packaging segments in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on export-oriented paperboard products. These tariffs are raising production costs and affecting pricing strategies. However, they are also encouraging domestic pulp sourcing, regional recycling infrastructure development, and investments in local paperboard manufacturing capacity.

The paperboard packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides paperboard packaging market statistics, including paperboard packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a paperboard packaging market share, detailed paperboard packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the paperboard packaging industry. This paperboard 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 paperboard packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $221.76 billion in 2025 to $238.37 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of packaged food consumption, expansion of retail and e-commerce packaging needs, increasing availability of recycled paperboard, rising consumer preference for paper-based packaging, advancements in paper coating technologies.

The paperboard packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $319.79 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing shift away from plastic packaging, rising investments in sustainable packaging innovation, expansion of food and beverage packaging demand, growing regulatory pressure on single-use plastics, increasing use of premium paperboard packaging. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of recyclable paperboard solutions, rising demand for lightweight and high-strength cartons, growing use of coated and barrier paperboards, expansion of customizable and printed packaging, enhanced focus on sustainable raw materials.

The expansion of the e-commerce industry is expected to drive the growth of the paperboard packaging market in the coming years. E-commerce involves the online buying and selling of goods and services. As e-commerce continues to grow, increasing attention to reducing environmental impact has made paperboard a preferred packaging option because of its renewable and biodegradable characteristics, which align with rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions. For example, in November 2023, according to the International Trade Administration, a US-based government agency, e-commerce revenues in the UK are projected to grow at an average annual rate of 12.6% through 2025. Consumer e-commerce currently accounts for 36.3% of the UK's total retail sector, with revenue expected to reach $285.60 billion by that year. Therefore, the growing e-commerce industry is driving the expansion of the paperboard packaging market.

Major companies operating in the paperboard packaging market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as coated recycled paperboard, to improve sustainability and address increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions. Coated recycled paperboard is produced from recycled fibers and treated with a polymer or clay coating to enhance surface strength, smoothness, and printability, making it suitable for packaging applications across food and consumer goods sectors. For instance, in August 2023, Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a US-based paperboard manufacturer, launched PaceSetter Rainier, a coated recycled paperboard that combines the performance characteristics of solid bleached sulfate with recycled content. This product offers improved brightness, whiteness, and surface smoothness, making it competitive with traditional SBS while supporting sustainability goals. Designed for applications such as healthcare, beauty, confectionery, and dairy packaging, PaceSetter Rainier reflects the company's commitment to environmentally responsible materials. Graphic Packaging has invested approximately $1.7 billion in coated recycled paperboard projects in the United States to expand capacity and capabilities in response to consumer preference for recycled and sustainable packaging.

In June 2024, Green Bay Packaging, a US-based pulp and paper company, acquired SMC Packaging Group for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Green Bay Packaging aims to broaden its geographic reach, strengthen operational capabilities, and enhance its paperboard packaging portfolio while maintaining a strong focus on employee welfare and community engagement. SMC Packaging Group is a US-based company specializing in sustainable paperboard packaging solutions for a range of end-use industries.

Major companies operating in the paperboard packaging market are WestRock Company, The International Paper Company, Smurfit Kappa Group plc, Georgia Pacific LLC, Amcor Ltd., Oji Holdings Corporation, Stora Enso Oyj, DS Smith plc, Mondi plc, Graphic Packaging International LLC, Packaging Corporation of America, Sappi Limited, Sonoco Products Company, Rengo Co Ltd., Evergreen Packaging Inc., Huhtamaki Oyj, BillerudKorsnas AB, Cascades Inc., Metsa Board Corporation, Clearwater Paper Corporation, Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the paperboard packaging market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the paperboard 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 paperboard packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The paperboard packaging market consists of sales of packaging solutions that are recyclable, biodegradable, reduce waste production, reduce environmental pollution, and the simplicity with which items can display their distinctive packaging and visuals to convey a brand's story, as well as their better product protection and stickability. 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.

Paperboard 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 paperboard 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.

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 paperboard 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 paperboard 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 Type: Corrugated Box; Boxboard
• 2) By Grade: Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS); Coated Unbleached Kraft Paperboard (CUK); White Lined Chipboard (WLC); Other Grades
• 3) By Raw Material: Fresh Source; Recycled Waste Paper
• 4) By End-User Industry: Food; Beverage; Healthcare; Personal Care; Household Care; Electrical Products; Other End-User Industries
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Corrugated Box: Regular Slotted Container (RSC); Half Slotted Container (HSC); Full Overlap Flap Container (FOF); Die-Cut Boxes; Multi-Depth Boxes
• 2) By Boxboard: Folding Boxboard; Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS); Coated Unbleached Kraft (CUK); Coated Recycled Board (CRB); Uncoated Recycled Board (URB)
• Companies Mentioned: WestRock Company; The International Paper Company; Smurfit Kappa Group plc; Georgia Pacific LLC; Amcor Ltd.; Oji Holdings Corporation; Stora Enso Oyj; DS Smith plc; Mondi plc; Graphic Packaging International LLC; Packaging Corporation of America; Sappi Limited; Sonoco Products Company; Rengo Co Ltd.; Evergreen Packaging Inc.; Huhtamaki Oyj; BillerudKorsnas AB; Cascades Inc.; Metsa Board Corporation; Clearwater Paper Corporation; Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd.
• 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.