Corrugated Packaging Market

Corrugated Packaging Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

According to the latest study by Fact.MR, the global corrugated packaging market is valued at US$ 235.2 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach US$ 441.4 billion by the end of 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 6.5%.

With growing concerns related to environmental issues, the demand for corrugated packaging in various end-use industries is rising. The durability and strength of corrugated packaging make it the preferred choice in many industries such as food and beverages, transportation, pharmaceuticals, and many others.

Corrugated boxes can be customized according to consumer preferences in terms of design, size, color, and structure into round, square, and rectangular boxes. In the current era, product packaging holds considerable significance in boosting sales, as consumers are drawn to customized branding for its professional aesthetic appeal.

Key Market Growth Drivers

• Corrugated packaging firms make substantial use of new developments such as AI and machine learning (ML). 3D printing is being increasingly used in manufacturing environments.
• As online shopping becomes more popular, there is a parallel rise in the need for shipping containers and protective wrapping. Corrugated boxes are lightweight but strong, which makes them perfect for safely transporting products.
• Expansion of the e-commerce sector over the past few years has dramatically boosted the use of corrugated packaging worldwide, thus influencing corrugated packaging market trends.
• Growing use of online retail platforms for purchases, such as Amazon, Flipkart, eBay, Walmart, Pepperfry, and many others, is fueling corrugated packaging market growth.
• Increasing adoption of omni-channel retailing, where companies sell through both online and physical stores, is further fueling the need for corrugated packaging.
• With retailers expanding into various sales channels, demand for packaging solutions that seamlessly cater to both online fulfillment and brick-and-mortar stores is increasing. This drives the demand for corrugated boxes and shipping containers that are versatile enough for a range of retail distribution methods.

Report Attributes	Details
Corrugated Packaging Market Size (2024E)	US$ 235.2 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 441.4 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.5% CAGR
North America Market Value (2034F)	US$ 105.1 Billion
East Asia Market Value (2024E)	US$ 46.6 Billion
Sales of Single Face Boards (2034F)	US$ 136.8 Billion
Key Companies Profiled	DS Smith Packaging Ltd. Georgia-Pacific, LLC Saica Group International Paper Westrock Company Mondi Group Pratt Industries Inc. Oji Holdings Corporation Packaging Corporation of America International Paper Company Corrugated Container Corporation Rengo Co., Ltd. Smurfit Kappa Atlantic Corrugated Box WestRock Company Wisconsin Packaging Corporation Menasha Corporation

Why is Demand for Corrugated Packaging Rising Steadily?

“Huge Popularity of Online Shopping Driving Use of Corrugated Packaging Materials”

The growth of the e-commerce sector has led to a spike in the need for corrugated packaging solutions. As purchasing goods on the internet becomes more common, the use of corrugated packaging materials for protecting items during delivery is rising. Corrugated cardboard arises as the top option, due to its built-in strength, resilience, and ability to accommodate diverse products. With the e-commerce industry continuing to thrive, corrugated containers stand out as a trusted solution to guarantee security in transit.

Specially corrugated boxes find several uses in the e-commerce sector, the most significant of which is supporting an effective and responsive supply chain, which is essential to e-commerce. Corrugated boxes, serving as the foundation of the e-commerce supply chain, have witnessed a surge in usage over the past few years. One challenge confronting the e-commerce sector is the shipping of smaller quantities to unconventional locations. Corrugated boxes fulfill the safety and security needs required in the e-commerce sector.

“Need for Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions”

Due to rising environmental concerns, both consumers and companies are actively looking for eco-friendly and sustainable packaging alternatives. Corrugated packaging is manufactured from renewable resources such as trees, which makes it an eco-friendly solution. Further, demand for corrugated packaging is increasing with the growth of the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and electronics industries as they require robust product packaging to ensure the safety of goods, particularly during transportation.

Which Factors are Restraining Corrugated Packaging Market Growth?

“Preference for More Cost-effective and Lightweight Packaging Solutions”

Alternative options such as flexible plastic packaging provide advantages to manufacturers or retailers, as they are lightweight and cheaper compared to corrugated packaging and also need less space, which reduces warehousing and shipping costs. Corrugated packaging easily gets affected by weather conditions, primarily during the monsoon season, as it is not waterproof.

Even when corrugated packaging boxes are kept in dry conditions for long periods, their sponge gets dehydrated due to lack of moisture. Also, they need more space for storage compared to some other alternatives and are hard to fold without the risk of tearing and shattering.

Country-wise Insights

North America holds 23.6% of the global corrugated packaging market share as this region has a well-established industrial base for packaging catering to multiple sectors such as retail, food and beverages, electronics, and e-commerce.

Why are Corrugated Packaging Manufacturers Thriving in the United States?

“Growing Number of Online Shoppers Fueling Demand for Efficient Product Packaging”

Attribute	United States
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 49.9 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.3% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 91.6 Billion

In the North America region, the United States accounts for a leading market share. Corrugated packaging is becoming the popular and favored choice for many companies in the United States, due to rising trade and expansion of the e-commerce sector. The rising number of online shoppers is boosting demand for product packaging. Corrugated packaging stands out for its superior security features during transportation compared to other materials.

How is China Capitalizing on the Expansion of the Corrugated Packaging Market Size?

“Historical Significance of Corrugated Packaging”

Attribute	China
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 33.8 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.9% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 65.6 Billion

Corrugated boxes boast a rich historical lineage, originating from Ancient China and evolving through the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries in the United Kingdom and early America. Their inception dates back to the 2nd century with the invention of paper, marking one of Ancient China's pivotal innovations.

The steady growth of the manufacturing and e-commerce sectors is fueling market expansion, as corrugated boxes remain one of the easiest ways to transport items from one location to another. Corrugated boxes assist in aggregating a large number of items into one confined space for easier handling.

Category-wise Insights

Which Product Type Accounts for Higher Sales?

“Increasing Adoption of Single-Face Boards Due to Superior Protection Capability”

Attribute	Single-Face Boards
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 70.8 Billion
Growth Rate (2024–2034)	6.8% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 136.8 Billion

Corrugated boxes come in different types: single-wall boards, single-face boards, double-wall boards, and triple-wall boards. The most popular types are single-wall and single-face boards. The rising demand for single-face boards is driven by their composition of one liner and one layer of corrugated medium, which serves various purposes such as shipping and in-store displays. Single-face packaging offers superior protection for goods compared to single-cardboard packaging.

Why Do Most Industries Prefer Corrugated Box Packaging?

“Cost-Effectiveness of Corrugated Boxes Compared to Other Packaging Materials”

Attribute	Corrugated Boxes
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 170 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.6% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 322.7 Billion

Corrugated boxes are among the most commonly used materials for packaging and transportation. These boxes are versatile, provide strong cushioning, are inexpensive, and keep moisture away from the products they contain. Their design makes them simple to construct and does not necessitate the use of expensive tools. Also, they are widely used by companies for protecting their goods and branding purposes, especially for cosmetic or perishable items. They are extensively adopted by many industries due to their eco-friendly nature.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the corrugated packaging industry are DS Smith Packaging Ltd., Georgia-Pacific, LLC., Saica Group, International Paper, Westrock Company, Mondi Group, Pratt Industries Inc., Oji Holdings Corporation, Packaging Corporation of America, International Paper Company, Corrugated Container Corporation, and Rengo Co., Ltd.

• In March 2024, Mondi PLC announced its decision to purchase DS Smith.
• The Corru Pack Print India Expo 2024, an exposition dedicated to the corrugated packaging machinery industry, was held from March 7 to March 9, 2024, at the India International Convention and Expo Center in New Delhi.
• In January 2024, VPK Group and IEMME Packaging, which are well-known corrugated packaging vendors, announced a joint venture with a common goal of long-term growth and expansion.
• In October 2023, Visy, a packaging and resource recovery company, established a new corrugated cardboard box production plant in Hemmant, Queensland, Australia.
• In November 2023, Mondi prioritized corrugated boards over expanded polystyrene for white goods packaging.
• In July 2023, Reed Exhibitions organized the World Corrugated Awards (WCA) 2023 Ceremony at the Wyndham Hotel in Shanghai, Hongqiao. In the Innovation category, Virus Ren Guard Packaging won the Design of the Year award. Tongling Xingrui Intelligent Technology won the Material of the Year award for its ultra-thin honeycomb panels, and Tri-Wall (Asia) won the Application of the Year award for its Optimpak product.

Segmentation of Corrugated Packaging Market Research

• By Product Type :

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

• By Packaging Type :

  • Boxes
  • Crates
  • Trays
  • Octabins
  • Pallets

• By End Use :

  • Food & Beverages
  • Electrical & Electronics
  • Home Care Products
  • Personal Care Products
  • e-Commerce
  • Transportation & Logistics
  • Healthcare

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Oceania
  • Middle East & Africa