Thermal Paper Global Market Report 2026

Thermal paper is a specialized type of paper used for inkless printing, particularly in thermal printers or lightweight devices like cash registers, adding machines, and credit card terminals. It's cost-effective due to low energy usage and minimal maintenance requirements.

There are two primary types of thermal paper such as top-coated and non-top-coated. Top-coated thermal paper includes direct thermal labels with added protective coating. These papers utilize various technologies like direct thermal, thermal transfer, and others, with thickness ranging from 60-80 microns or 80-90 microns. They find applications in POS receipts, lottery and gaming tickets, labels and tags, and are utilized across industries such as retail, healthcare, packaging, printing, entertainment, transit, and more.

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 thermal paper market by increasing costs of imported base paper, chemical coatings, specialty dyes, and thermal processing equipment. Asia-Pacific manufacturing hubs are most affected due to dependence on imported coating materials, while North America and Europe face higher raw material procurement costs. These tariffs are raising production costs and affecting price competitiveness. However, they are also encouraging local coating production, regional paper sourcing, and innovation in environmentally compliant thermal paper solutions.

The thermal paper market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides thermal paper market statistics, including thermal paper industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a thermal paper market share, detailed thermal paper market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the thermal paper industry. This thermal 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 thermal paper market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.11 billion in 2025 to $5.57 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of POS terminal installations, growth in retail transaction volumes, widespread use of receipt-based documentation, adoption of thermal printing technologies, availability of low-cost printing solutions.

The thermal paper market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.75 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing digital payment volumes supporting receipt demand, rising adoption of eco-friendly thermal paper, expansion of logistics labeling applications, growing focus on regulatory-compliant coatings, increasing use in healthcare documentation. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of bpa-free thermal coatings, rising demand for long-life receipt paper, growing use of high-sensitivity thermal paper grades, expansion of label and tag printing applications, enhanced focus on print quality consistency.

The rise of e-commerce industry is expected to propel the growth of thermal paper market going forward. Thermal paper is used in e-commerce industry for printing shipping labels, order receipts, and packing slips. Thermal paper offers cost-effective, efficient, and convenient solutions for transaction-related documents, barcode printing, and mobile printing devices, aligning with the dynamic needs of the fast-paced online retail environment. For instance, in August 2024, according to a report published by the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, a US-based government agency, U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2024 reached an estimated $291.6 billion, a 1.3% rise from the first quarter of 2024. Total retail sales for the same period were estimated at $1,826.9 billion, up 0.5% from the previous quarter. Compared to the second quarter of 2023, e-commerce sales grew by 6.7%, while total retail sales increased by 2.1%. E-commerce accounted for 16.0% of total retail sales in the second quarter of 2024. Therefore, the rise of e-commerce industry is driving the growth of the thermal paper market.

Major companies operating in the thermal paper market are increasingly concentrating on the development of innovative solutions, such as Ineris-certified, top-coated phenol-free facestock, to improve environmental safety, comply with strict regulatory requirements, and address the rising demand for sustainable and food-contact-safe labeling applications. Ineris-certified top-coated phenol-free facestock refers to a specialized label facestock material intended for safety-critical and regulated uses, combining environmental compliance, strong print performance, and validated safety standards. For instance, in April 2024, Lecta Ltd., a Spain-based specialty paper and labeling materials manufacturer, introduced Termax TCLLX, an advanced linerless thermal facestock designed for variable information printing applications. The product consists of high-performance thermal paper paired with a proprietary topcoat that provides resistance to abrasion, moisture, and chemicals while preserving print clarity and barcode legibility. Termax TCLLX allows for longer roll lengths, enhanced operational efficiency, and reduced storage and transportation costs, while supporting sustainability objectives by eliminating liner waste and lowering overall material usage. It is especially suitable for food packaging, retail pricing, logistics, and weigh-scale labeling applications, offering a more environmentally responsible alternative to traditional thermal paper labels.

In September 2023, Quantum Capital Partners, a Germany-based investment firm, acquired the Flensburg paper mill from Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH. This acquisition enhanced QCP's network and established a center of expertise in the paper industry, complementing their prior investments and solidifying their market position. Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH is a Germany-based specialty paper manufacturer that focuses on producing coated specialty papers, including thermal paper, inkjet paper, and carbonless paper, serving a variety of applications such as receipts, labels, and packaging.

Major companies operating in the thermal paper market are Ricoh Corporation, Oji Holdings Corporation, Appvion InCorporated, Jujo Thermal Limited, Lecta Group, Koehler Paper Group, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH, Hansol Europe BV, Gold HuaSheng Paper Company Limited, Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co. KG, Henan Province JiangHe Paper Company Limited, Thermal Solutions International Inc., Rotolificio BergamasCo. Srl, PM Company LLC, Nakagawa Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Siam Paper Co. Ltd., Nantong Xiujun Imp.& Exp.Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Youcheng New Materials Co. Ltd., Shanxi Oceano Paper Co. Ltd., Tianjin Jinlida Paper Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Guoli Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Xiandai Paper Co. Ltd., PapiCo. Ltd., Guofeng Fine Paper Co. Ltd., RP Paper Impex Pvt. Ltd., Apex Paper International Inc., Stellar Paper Products Private Limited, Daio Paper Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the thermal paper market in 2025. The regions covered in the thermal 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 thermal paper market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The thermal paper market consists of sales of conventional thermal paper and synthetic-base thermal papers. 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.

Thermal 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 thermal 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.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for thermal 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 thermal 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: Top Coated; Non-Top Coated
• 2) By Technology: Direct Thermal; Thermal Transfer; Other Technologies
• 3) By Thickness: 60-80 Microns; 80-90 Microns
• 4) By Application: Point Of Sale (POS) Receipts; Lottery And Gaming Tickets; Labels And Tags; Other Applications
• 5) By End User: Retail Industry; Healthcare; Packaging And Labelling; Printing And Publishing; Entertainment And Transit; Other End Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Top Coated: Direct Thermal Paper; Specialty Thermal Paper
• 2) By Non-Top Coated: Direct Thermal Paper; Standard Thermal Paper
• Companies Mentioned: Ricoh Corporation; Oji Holdings Corporation; Appvion InCorporated; Jujo Thermal Limited; Lecta Group; Koehler Paper Group; Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH; Hansol Europe BV; Gold HuaSheng Paper Company Limited; Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co. KG; Henan Province JiangHe Paper Company Limited; Thermal Solutions International Inc.; Rotolificio BergamasCo. Srl; PM Company LLC; Nakagawa Manufacturing Co. Ltd.; Siam Paper Co. Ltd.; Nantong Xiujun Imp.& Exp.Co. Ltd.; Zhejiang Youcheng New Materials Co. Ltd.; Shanxi Oceano Paper Co. Ltd.; Tianjin Jinlida Paper Co. Ltd.; Jiangsu Guoli Science & Technology Co. Ltd.; Xiandai Paper Co. Ltd.; PapiCo. Ltd.; Guofeng Fine Paper Co. Ltd.; RP Paper Impex Pvt. Ltd.; Apex Paper International Inc.; Stellar Paper Products Private Limited; Daio Paper Corporation.
• 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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