Corrugated Packaging Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

Corrugated Packaging Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2033

The global corrugated packaging market size was valued at USD 298.52 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach over USD 459.18 billion by 2033, poised to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2024 to 2033.

Corrugated Packaging Market Key Takeaways

• Asia Pacific led the global market with the highest market share of 35.14% in 2023.
• North America is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.
• By Package Type, the single wall boards segment has held the largest market share in 2023.
• By Package Type, the double wall boards segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR over the projected period.
• By Application, the food & beverages segment captured the biggest revenue share in 2023.
• By Application, the e-commerce segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR over the projected period.

Asia Pacific Corrugated Packaging Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2033

The Asia Pacific corrugated packaging market size was estimated at USD 104.89 billion in 2023 and is predicted to be worth around USD 167.60 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2033.

Asia Pacific dominated the market with revenue share of over 35.14% in 2023. This region is the manufacturing hub of the world. Most of the electronics, homecare, and healthcare products are manufactured in the region and supplied globally. Moreover, the presence of huge population in the region makes it the most lucrative market for the food & beverages industry, which is expected to significantly drive the demand for the corrugated packaging. Moreover, the rising penetration of the e-commerce and various online shopping platforms in the region is fueling the demand for the corrugated packaging. All these factors are expected to foster the growth rate of the Asia Pacific corrugated packaging market in the foreseeable future.

North America is estimated to be the most opportunistic market during the forecast period. The stringent government regulations towards the use of eco-friendly packaging materials couple with the increased consumer awareness regarding the usage of environment-friendly materials has fostered the growth of the corrugated packaging market. The joint efforts of the Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) and the American government has significant contributions towards the increased adoption of the corrugated packaging materials across the industries in North America. The major cities in US has banned the use of plastics owing to its harmful impact on the environment and human health, which has triggered the use of sustainable, reusable, and recyclable corrugated packaging in the region. It is estimated that US has more than 1,000 corrugated manufacturing units and over 50% of the corrugated boxes are made using recycled contents. US is among the top importers of the tree fibers that are used for making corrugated boxes.

North America Corrugated Packaging Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2033

The North America corrugated packaging market size was calculated at USD 97.53 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand around USD 233.25 billion by 2033, poised to grow at a CAGR of 9.11% from 2024 to 2033.

Corrugated Packaging Market Growth Factors

The surging growth of the manufacturing industry across the globe has fueled the demand for the corrugated packaging significantly. The corrugated packaging is gaining rapid traction owing to the rising consumer awareness regarding the eco-friendly packaging and sustainable packaging solutions. The corrugated packaging is reusable and can be easily recycled. Therefore, the rising demand for the sustainable packaging material across the globe is augmenting the growth of the global corrugated packaging market. The rising usage of corrugated boxes across different industries such as food & beverages, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and homecare goods industries is significantly impacting the growth of the corrugated packaging market. The manufacturers are addressing the need for flexible packaging, which is expected to exponentially drive the demand for corrugated packaging owing to its rising demand for the lightweight, portable, and convenient products across the globe. The increased adoption of the corrugated packaging materials in the transport and logistics industry is further fostering the growth of the market significantly.

The rapid growth of the e-commerce in the past decade has tremendously spiked the consumption of corrugated packaging all over the globe. The rising popularity of the e-commerce and the online retail platforms such as Pepperfry, Amazon, Flipkart, eBay, Wal-Mart, and various others are penetrating the developing and the underdeveloped markets at a rapid pace. The significant growth of the telecommunications and the IT infrastructure, increased penetration of the internet, rising adoption of smartphones, and rising awareness regarding virtual stores among the consumers are the major factors that has boosted the growth of the e-commerce industry across the globe. The rising disposable income and rising standards of living is resulting in the growth in the demand for the various personal care, electronics, home products, and food products. The increasing adoption of the e-commerce platforms among the consumers to buy various types of goods is supplementing the growth of the corrugated packaging market.

Corrugated Packaging Market Scope 

Package Type Insights

The single wall boards segment dominated the global corrugated packaging market. This is attributed to the increased adoption of the single wall boards owing to its durability, strength, and feasible price. The single wall boards are more feasible for packaging and transportation of the majority of the products like food products, small electronic products, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. Hence, the increased adoption of the single wall boards has fueled the growth of this segment across the globe.

On the other hand, the double wall boards segment is estimated to be the most opportunistic segment during the forecast period. The higher strength and durability is needed for the packaging of the heavy products of the electronics, healthcare, and homecare products. The increased popularity of the e-commerce has created a huge demand for the consumer electronics across the globe such as laptops, washing machines, air conditioners, fans, and various other products that needs more protection especially during the transit. Hence, the rising penetration of the e-commerce is fostering the growth of the double wall board segment growth.

Application Insights

Based on the application, food & beverages dominated the global corrugated packaging market in 2023. The food & beverages industry accounts for the highest volume consumption and highest revenue generation in the corrugated packaging market. The food & beverages industry require the corrugated packaging for the storage, handling, and transportation of the processed food products, non-perishables, and fresh produce. Varieties of the corrugated packages is required based on the perishability of the food products. The corrugated packaging is non-reactive, which makes it a popular choice for packaging the food products for longer time period and for transportation. Therefore, the food & beverages industry has a significant contribution in the growth of the global corrugated packaging market.

On the other hand, the e-commerce is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment. This is attributable to the rapidly growing adoption of the online shopping in the developing and the underdeveloped economies. The easy availability of the desired products, easy payment options, availability of feasible EMI options, fast home deliveries, and easy replace and return policies offered by the e-commerce channels is fueling the online shopping across the globe, which in turn is expected to foster the demand for the corrugated packaging in the forthcoming years.

Corrugated Packaging Market Recent Developments

• In September 2021, Mondi Group engaged in expansion by introducing new equipment at its corrugated boxes manufacturing unit in Poland.
• In April 2021, DS Smith developed a 100% recyclable packaging for e-commerce. This development was aimed towards achieving sustainability and eco-friendly packaging solution to cater the online shopping industry.
• In March 2021, International Paper completed the acquisition of two corrugated box manufacturing plants in Spain. This development was aimed at expanding the portfolio of the International Paper.
• In September 2021, Heinz entered into a partnership with WestRock to provide a replacement for the shrink-wrapped multipacks for the Heinz products with recyclable paperboard by WestRock.

The various developmental strategies adopted by the top market players in the corrugated packaging industry is aimed at achieving sustainability, gaining competitive edge, gain market share, and exploit the prevailing market opportunities. These developmental strategies significantly influences the global corrugated packaging market.

Corrugated Packaging Market Companies

• Mondi Group
• WestRock Company
• International Paper Company
• DS Smith PLC
• Smurfit Kappa Group
• Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited
• Georgia-Pacific Equity Holdings LLC.
• Oji Holdings Corporation
• Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.
• Packaging Corporation of America

Segments Covered in the Report

By Package Type

• Single Wall Boards
• Double Wall Boards
• Triple Wall Boards
• Single Face Boards

By Application

• Electronics & Electricals
• Food & Beverages
• Transport & Logistics
• E-Commerce
• Personal Care Goods
• Healthcare
• Homecare Goods
• Others

By Geography

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • U.K.
  • Germany
  • France
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Malaysia
  • Philippines
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
  • GCC
  • North Africa
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa