Corrugated Boxes Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Material Type (Virgin, Recycled), Grade Type (Fluting Medium, Linerboard), Product Type, Board Type, Printing Ink, Printing Technology, Style, End User, and By Geography
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Corrugated Boxes Market is accounted for $66.41 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $87.39 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period. Corrugated boxes are prominently utilized secondary packaging solutions in a wide range of end-use sectors. Convenient and feasible as packaging cartons have made them a favourable alternative for the packaging of various products in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemicals, food, and beverages, among many other sectors. Corrugated shipment boxes can be easily folded and they consume very less storage space when not used. They are generally manufactured with fluting that provides cushioning to the packaged products during transportation which helps in protecting the fragile packaged products during transit.
Market Dynamics:
Driver:
Growing e-commerce industry
E-commerce industry witnessed the sharp growth in the span of the past few years. The rising purchase power and growing usage of mobile shopping among of the consumers has spurred shopping via online portals. The corrugated crates and cardboard packaging are available in a large variety of sizes that are feasible for the packaging of small items like pharmaceutical or personal care products to large items like electronics or furniture products. The rising trend of purchasing products from e-commerce platforms and the increasing number of players entering the e-commerce industry are expected to drive the corrugated boxes market.
Restraint:
Fluctuating raw material prices
The fluctuating price of the raw materials used for the manufacturing of the corrugated boxes is considered as the major restraint for the corrugated boxed market growth. Especially the costs incurred for the manufacturing of the corrugated boxes used for personal care and cosmetics are comparatively higher than restricting the overall growth of the corrugated boxes industry.
Opportunity:
Digital printing advancements
As the digital print market matures, the corrugated sector, while still in its infancy, has developed a growing appetite for adoption of the process, and systems are now being developed to address the demands of the high-volume liner and post-print markets. The savings in set-up costs, flexibility of run-lengths, the ability to personalise either relating to brands, regions, stores or individuals, and the level of quality now available through the latest technologies all combine to create a ‘perfect storm’ of growth opportunities for converters and printers. Brand owners are recognising the opportunities to grow dwindling brand loyalty through greater engagement with their customer base provided by these technological developments, and industry leaders see packaging as an important component in the creation of a memorable shopping experience that users will want to share via social media, which can drive marketing, encourage repeat business and attract new customers.
Threat:
Tolerance to environmental standards
The high consumption of energy and the impact on the environment acts as a major hindrance for it to be considered as a highly sought-after packaging product. As corrugated boxes are made from wood pulp, their production has a significant impact on forests. The energy required for production is significantly higher than the energy required for producing plastic. CO2 emissions are also higher when manufacturing corrugated boxes. It requires 34% higher energy to produce corrugated boxes than in the production of reusable plastic containers. Therefore, adhering to environmental standards during production may prove to be a major threat for the corrugated box market.
The personal care & cosmetics segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The personal care & cosmetics segment is estimated to have a lucrative growth. The personal care & cosmetics segment has grown significantly in the past couple of years. The growth is majorly driven by the growing consciousness of consumers regarding appearance. The increasing significance of taking care of hair and skin amongst the millennial population is one of the factors that is positively influencing the personal care industry growth. Corrugated shipping boxes are not only used in the bulk shipments of personal care and cosmetics products but also for packaging of small quantity items that are ordered via e-commerce platforms. As the personal care industry is growing the demand for corrugated cartons is anticipated to rise during the forecast period.
The recycled segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
The recycled segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. The recycling of corrugated boxes and using recycled material for manufacturing the shipment boxes are key trends that are gaining traction across the globe. The adaptation of recycled corrugated crates over the virgin corrugated crates has not only helped in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases but also significantly reduced the demand for virgin timber. Consumers’ awareness regarding the increasing amount of waste and importance of the using sustainable packaging solutions is increasing the demand for recycled corrugated boxes. All the above-mentioned factors are attracting end-use industry manufacturers towards the use of recycled corrugated containers and augmenting the sales of cardboard cartons in the global market.
Region with highest share:
Europe is projected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period owing to the growing consumer preference for packaged food and beverages and the growing demand for fast food among the millennial populations. Germany is estimated to be one of the top 3 market shareholders in the Europe market for corrugated boxes. As per the German Trade and Invest (GTAI) in its report ‘The Food and Beverage Industry in Germany’ issue, almost one-third of all the processed food manufactured. The tremendous applications of corrugated boxes in the packaging of food and beverage products and significant presence of corrugated boxes manufacturers in Germany are propelling the growth of the market.
Region with highest CAGR:
North America is projected to have the highest CAGR over the forecast period. The strong desires for an exceptional healthcare system among people living in the U.S. and favorable state policies have bolstered the growth of the healthcare industry in the country. According to the corrugated boxes industry analysis, the United States is projected to account for nearly 90% of the total North America market for corrugated boxes in the next ten years. Factors such as the high spending on healthcare and consumer awareness are anticipated to reinforce the growth of the healthcare industry as an end user of corrugated boxes market in the region.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players profiled in the Corrugated Boxes Market include Acme Corrugated Box Co. Inc, Action Box Inc., Bee Packaging, DS Smith Packaging Limited, Georgia Pacific Packaging LLC, Great Little Box Company Ltd., International Paper Company, Mondi Group plc, Nelson Container Corporation, Pratt Industries, Inc., Shanghai DE Printed Box., Shillington Box Company, Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, Wertheimer Box Corporation, and WestRock Company.
Key Developments:
In January 2021, Georgia Pacific LLC expanded its Hummingbird digital print solution with the purchase of Hewlett Packard PageWide T1190 press to produce the world's highest volume of digital corrugated packaging solutions.
In Feb 2021, Mondi added a new product BCoolBox in its sustainable e-commerce portfolio which will carry fresh produce and food. This product is a packaging solution in a corrugated range with thermo-insulation that will make sure food is chilled and less remain less than 7 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 24 hours without the support of any external cooling device.
In June 2021, Smurfit Kappa Group LLC announced the opening of a new e-commerce corrugated packaging laboratory in the United Kingdom to test and launch new solutions in the e-commerce domain certified minimum with reliable ISTA certification.
In August 2021, DS Smith started a completely recyclable e-commerce packaging for Blaue Helden. This sustainably developed e-commerce packaging from DS Smith imparts the environment-friendly cleaning tabs from Blaue Helden, an enhanced appearance catering to online retail, with 100% corrugated cardboard and no plastic filling material at all.
Material Types Covered:
• Virgin
• Recycled
Grade Types Covered:
• Fluting Medium
• Linerboard
Product Types Covered:
• Die-Cut Boxes
• Folder Boxes
• Rigid Boxes
• Slotted Boxes
• Telescope Boxes
Board Types Covered:
• Double Wall Board
• Single Face Board
• Single Wall Board
• Triple Wall Board
Printing Inks Covered:
• Hot Melt-Based Ink
• Solvent-Based Ink
• Uv-Curable Ink
• Water-Based Ink
Printing Technologies Covered:
• Digital Printing
• Flexography Printing
• Lithography Printing
• Rotogravure
• Silkscreen
Styles Covered:
• Fold Type & Tray
• Full Overlap Container (FOL)
• Half Slotted Type
• Regular Slotted Container (RSC)
• Telescope Type
End Users Covered:
• Electrical & Electronics
• Food
• Glassware & Ceramics
• Homecare
• Paper Products
• Textiles & Apparels
• Beverages
• Healthcare
• Tobacco
• E-commerce
• Building & Construction
• Automotive & Allied Industries
• Personal Care & Cosmetics
• Chemicals & Fertilizers
• Shipping & Logistics
Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa
What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2028
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements
Free Customization Offerings:
All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:
• Company Profiling
Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances
Learn how to effectively navigate the market research process to help guide your organization on the journey to success.
Download eBook