Corrugated Packaging Market

Corrugated Packaging Market Size

The global corrugated packaging market was valued at USD 233.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5% between 2025 and 2034.

The increase in the corrugated packaging market is associated with the newly developed e-commerce activities and requires innovative packaging solutions as well as sustainable practices. The industry associates itself with environmental sustainability due to its high recycling rates, innovations in sustainable packaging, and revolving toward a leaner environmental footprint. This sector has shown significant improvement with respect to the environment due to new recycling techniques, development of advanced lightweight and strong packaging materials, and sustainable practices. Sustainably reclaimable materials are becoming more valuable given the expansive ecosystem reliant on e-commerce.

Morgan Stanly's recent study indicates that the e-commerce ecosystem dependent on corrugated packaging is set to grow from USD 3.3 trillion in June 2022 to USD 5.4 trillion by 2026. Further, the innovation in digital printing has enabled the addition of customized high-resolution graphics and on-demand produced items, which have optimized the operational efficiency and product design in the corrugated packaging sector. The use of intelligent packaging technologies such as QR codes and temperature sensors plays a crucial role in improving the supply chain’s visibility and safety of the products. As e-commerce is set to increase by 45% within five years, South Korea's internet retailing market, representing 37% of overall retail sales, is projected to further spur change in packaging technology design and utilization.

Corrugated Packaging Market Trends

• Lightweight and sustainability have become critical packaging materials initiatives, trending innovation in the corrugated packaging industry. The primary product trends focus on lightweight container boards with reduced basic weight, which has significantly helped in reducing freight costs while maintaining structural integrity. The industry has witnessed considerable advancement in fluting design, providing superior printing capabilities and cost savings through effective volume utilization.
  
• The digital printing revolution has transformed the corrugated packaging landscape by enabling enhanced customization and brand engagement opportunities. Internal printing capabilities now allow manufacturers to create unique consumer experiences through seasonal campaigns, personalized customer targeting, and bespoke slogans. The integration of technologies like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS) has provided new insights into moisture resistance mechanisms and chemical modifications, leading to improved product performance. Companies like DS Smith have invested in advanced digital printing technology such as the EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus, enabling 100% custom-made sustainable packaging with photographic printing quality and faster delivery timeframes.
  

Corrugated Packaging Market Analysis

Based on the wall type, the market is segmented into single wall corrugated, double wall corrugated, and triple-wall corrugated. In 2024, the single-wall corrugated segment generated a revenue of USD 101.9 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.

• Single wall corrugated packaging is one of the most common used segments in the market of corrugated packaging owing to its flexibility, light weight, broad usage range as well as cost efficiency. It is made out of one layer of fluted paper with its moderate strength and protection sandwiched between two flat linerboards, providing suitability for various applications. This form of packaging is mostly used in e-commerce, food and beverage, retail as well as consumer electronics industries where affordability alongside protection during transit is of utmost importance.
  
• Alongside enhanced brand as well as product specification driven customizability of single wall corrugated boxes, this type of packaging is cost effective and appealing to manufacturers and retailers. This type of box is eco-friendly (being recyclable) making it align with the emerging market demand for sustainable and green packaging solutions.
  

Based on printing technology, the corrugated packaging market is segmented as lithography, flexography, digital printing and others. The flexography segment was valued at USD 98.4 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period.

• In the corrugated packaging industry, flexography is one of the most important types of printing. It is commonly used for large scale production due to its speed and cost-effectiveness. This technique employs flexible relief plates and uses fast drying inks, which allows for high-speed continuous printing on a variety of materials like cardboard. Flexography is an excellent choice for flexible packaging, especially as it allows for the use of eco-friendly inks. This synergy between the printing method and sustainable ink technology helps meet the growing demand for environmentally responsible packaging solutions.
  
• Furthermore, flexographic printing remains crucial in food and beverage, consumer goods, and e-commerce because of its dependability at high print volumes. Vendors in these dynamic shipments with little or no lead time are assisted because with flexographic printing, no pre-press work is needed for printing on corrugated boxes.
  

Based on end use, the corrugated packaging market is segmented as food & beverages, personal care & home care, medical, home appliances & electronics, agriculture, industrial chemical & plastics, paper & carton, and others. The food & beverages segment was valued at USD 65.3 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period.

• The food and beverage segment lead in the market. The key categories within the food and beverage sector include fresh produce, processed food, and non-perishables. The food and beverages sector uses packaging for the functional purposes of storing, handling and transporting food products. It is known that corrugated boxes are required during the transport of goods of varying strengths which include fragile and perishable products and processed food products. Being non-reactive, corrugated boxes are suitable for long-term storage, transport, and packaging of food.
  

• China dominated in the corrugated packaging market, which was valued at USD 25.7 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025 to 2034. China leads the Asia-Pacific region in the market for corrugated board packaging due to its vast e-commerce industry and thriving manufacturing sector. Its dominant global position is bolstered by enormous production facilities, considerable market demand, and ongoing research and development efforts in the field of packaging technology. There is a growing trend among manufacturers towards environmental responsibility and newer, more appealing designs due to the changing consumer needs and stricter eco-policies.
  

The U.S. corrugated packaging market is expected to experience significant and promising growth at a CAGR of 5% from 2025 to 2034.

• The U.S. is projected to have the most opportunistic market throughout the duration of the projection period. Government policies focused on the use of eco-friendly packaging materials and the heightened consumer awareness towards the friendly materials that foster growth of the corrugated packaging industry. The collaborative works of the corrugated packaging alliance (CPA) and the American government have aided the growth towards the greater use of the corrugated packaging materials in North America. Most of the U.S. major cities have passed laws restricting the use of plastics due to its detrimental effects on the environment and human health which has increased the use of sustainable, reusable and recyclable corrugated packaging in the region. More than 1,000 corrugated manufacturing units are estimated to exist in the U.S., and it is estimated that over 50% of the corrugated boxes are made of recycled contents. The U.S. is one of the leading importers of tree fibers used in the production of corrugated boxes.
  

The Germany corrugated packaging market is expected to experience significant and promising growth at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2025 to 2034.

• The European market for corrugated board packaging is fully involved with notable countries such as Germany actively participating. This regional market is noted for its stringently positive sustainable policies relating to packaging as well as its high levels of technology used in manufacturing processes. The European market has well developed infrastructure for recycling as well as a growing public awareness of reusable sustainable materials concerning packaging.
  

The UAE corrugated packaging market is expected to experience significant and promising growth at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025 to 2034.

• The UAE corrugated packaging arena is experiencing a significant rate of growth. This can be largely attributed to the country’s thriving ecommerce sector, which requires durable and customizable shipping solutions. Furthermore, there is an increased awareness on environmental preservation among customers and stringent government regulations have been imposed regarding single use plastics which are helping increase demand for eco-friendly and recyclable corrugated boxes. Major consumers in key end-use sectors like general retail, food & beverages, consumer electronics. In UAE, manufacturers are investing in advanced machinery and automation so as to improve production efficiency that enables them to deliver innovative, lightweight and high-quality printed packaging providing solutions that caters for diverse business needs in the region as well as re-exporting.
  

Corrugated Packaging Market Share

• The top 6 companies in the market include Cascades, CESCO, Danhil, DS Smith, Evergreen Packaging, and Georgia-Pacific, and they collectively hold a significant 15–20% share in the market.
  
• Cascades capture the attention of eco-friendly customers and businesses by providing sustainable high-performance packaging solutions such as corrugated boxes made from recycled materials, water-based coatings, and innovative eco-friendly designs. The brand has also worked to stay competitive in the industry by integrating award-winning innovations such as 100% recycled PET and corrugated cardboard trays and pledging to make all their packaging compostable, recyclable, or reusable by 2030. As with other leading industry companies, both firms are now automating and enhancing ease of use, following the new pattern in the design of corrugated packaging systems innovations. 
  
• CESCO has also expanded its market scope through CESCO's low-cost, dependable, and broad-ranging industry-specific corrugated packaging solutions. Though not known for bold innovations, CESCO promotes advanced sustainability and efficient manufacturing through lower energy and waste usage. With increasing competition, these two rivals, Cascades and CESCO, are positioned to use sustainable innovations and pragmatic solutions for strengthening their sustainable innovation stance in the market
  

Corrugated Packaging Market Companies

Major players operating in the corrugated packaging industry include:

• Cascades
• CESCO
• Danhil
• DS Smith
• Evergreen Packaging
• Georgia-Pacific
• International Paper
• Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing
• Mondi Group
• Montebello Container
• Packaging Corporation of America
• Rengo
• Smurfit Kappa Group
• Sultana Packaging
• WestRock
  

In order to remain competitive, all companies are putting resources toward research and development as well as innovation, DS Smith is working on precision die-cut strategies for the e-commerce and retail sectors to improve supply chain effectiveness and packaging identity. In addition, Georgia-Pacific is working on automated systems for industrial corrugated packaging to maximize throughput and cost savings. 

Some of the current market participants are shifting their attention to these designs to become more competitive. Cascades is designing corrugated packaging that is compostable and recyclable from recovered fiber while taking a low-impact approach to ecosystem footprint. Evergreen Packaging also exploits renewable resources to further improve the recyclability of their products so they can sustain more eco-friendly practices in their corrugated product lines.

Corrugated Packaging Industry News

• In October 2024, Mondi Group, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper production, has acquired Schumacher Packaging's corrugated converting and solid board operations in Germany, Benelux, and the UK. This move will bolster Mondi’s corrugated presence in Western Europe and introduce complementary fiber-based products, particularly in eCommerce and FMCG, enhancing its offerings to existing customers. 
  
• In May 2024, the corrugated cardboard packer container was designed for Toyota Motor Corporation by DAIEI Co. and NabiAce Co. The container allows for increased ergonomic handling as well as a heightened loading weight. The design not only enhances content loading capacity but also proactively makes steps to overcome sustainability challenges by improving transport efficiency and lowering carbon dioxide emissions by 72%.
  
• In November 2023, Velvin Group, a leading Indian manufacturer of sustainable paper-based packaging solutions, entered into a strategic joint venture with Rengo Co., Ltd., a global leader in paper and corrugated box manufacturing headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The joint venture aims to establish a new corrugated packaging unit in Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu, with partial operations expected to commence in March 2024.
  

This corrugated packaging market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) & volume (Million Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Wall Type

• Single wall corrugated
• Double wall corrugated
• Triple-wall corrugated

Market, By Boxes Style

• Slotted boxes
• Telescope boxes
• Rigid (bliss) boxes
• Self-erecting boxes
• Others (interior forms, die cut)

Market, By Flutes

• Type A flute
• Type B flute
• Type C flute
• Type E flute
• Type F flute

Market, By Printing Technology

• Lithography
• Flexography
• Digital printing
• Others (rotogravure, etc.)

Market, By End Use

• Food & beverages
• Personal care & home care
• Medical
• Home appliances & electronics
• Agriculture
• Industrial
• Chemical & plastics
• Paper & carton
• Others

 Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct sales
• Indirect sales

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico 
• MEA
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE