Containerboard Market (2025 - 2030) Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Recycled, Virgin), By End Use (Food & Beverage, Automotive, Consumer Goods, Industrial), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific), And Segment Forecasts

Containerboard Market Summary

The global containerboard market size was estimated at USD 103.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 160.04 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2025 to 2030. The market is expected to expand due to the increasing demand for lightweight and eco-friendly packaging materials.

Containerboard comprises renewable materials and can be recycled after use. These materials present qualities such as strength, lightness, and flexibility. They are used across multiple sectors, including food & beverage, consumer products, industrial, agriculture, healthcare, and e-commerce, for packaging purposes. A key factor contributing to the market’s growth is the increasing popularity of sustainability. Fabricated from renewable and recyclable materials, containerboard closely adheres to the concepts of a circular economy. The capacity to reuse old, corrugated materials as the main material for new paperboard makes it a highly valued material for businesses looking to improve their circularity and commitment to environmental responsibility.

The global containerboard industry is projected to experience substantial growth during the forecast period, driven by the expansion of end-use sectors such as e-commerce and the food and beverage industry. The increasing popularity of packaged, frozen, and ready-to-eat meals has raised the requirement for durable and moisture-resistant containerboard packaging. For example, the growing e-commerce market, impelled by the increasing popularity of online shopping, boosts the demand for corrugated boxes, propelling the industry's growth.

The formation of a containerboard with multiple layers of paper makes it highly durable and strong. The lightweight property of the containerboard helps in reducing the overall shipping cost. In addition, the ability of the product to offer protection & cushioning while transportation is further increasing its demand for transporting delicate and electronic products of industries such as food & beverage and consumer goods.

Corrugated medium and linerboard make up two basic components of the containerboard industry. The linerboard was created from virgin fiber and called a kraft liner, while the term testliner refers to a linerboard made from recycled fibers. Depending on the type of pulp utilized, the corrugated medium might be virgin, semi-chemical, or recycled. The creation of containerboard uses more than 50% of the recovered fiber used to make paper & paperboard, according to the American Forest and Paper Association.

High-quality graphic printing is possible on containerboard, making it an ideal option for packaging used for marketing and branding purposes. Furthermore, it is anticipated that further technological developments in digital printing will lead to several possible business opportunities for the market players. In addition, it is projected that the expanding demand for high-volume liners and post-print products, coupled with the growing use of advanced processes, is expected to expand the market potential over the coming years.

The value chain of the market consists of raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and end-users. The strength of the product highly depends upon the quality of the raw material used. Major raw material required for the production of containerboard includes recycled paper and wood fiber. Furthermore, the value is added at the time of the production process by applying the coating and treating the product as per customers' requirements. After that, the containerboard is used for the manufacturing of different packaging products such as cartons and corrugated boxes.

The government's strict limitations on the utilization of natural resources are the main factor contributing to the market expansion. Virgin wood fiber must be used in the production of virgin containerboards, adding to the environmental load. These boards' production uses up natural resources and creates hazardous greenhouse gasses, which raises the final prices. In addition, the government's restrictions on tree-cutting are also expected to limit the market growth.

Merger and acquisition activities are high, as evidenced by recent major mergers to accelerate growth and expand geographic reach. In April 2025, Mondi acquired Schumacher Packaging’s Western Europe operations, encompassing assets of Western Europe. This acquisition added over 1 billion square meters of packaging capacity and expanded Mondi’s product portfolio with solid board solutions, offering greater choice and tailored solutions for e-commerce, FMCG, and other sectors.

Material Insights

The recycled material segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 68.5% in 2024. This growth can be attributed to the rising environmental concerns influencing the use of sustainable materials for packaging. This fiber can be recycled 6 to 7 times while delivering durable results every time, helping reduce waste. Furthermore, recycled materials are preferred as they are cost-effective and comply with various government standards and regulations related to sustainability.

The virgin material segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 7.2% over the forecast period. Wood fibers from cut trees are the primary raw material used to make containerboards. These wood fibers are used to make pulp, the primary component in containerboard production. Furthermore, the ability of virgin materials to offer consistent durability, strength, and printability is expected to drive the segment growth. Virgin containerboards are ideal for packaging delicate and heavy objects due to their excellent stacking strength and ability to handle heavy weights. However, the growing concerns among the government and consumers regarding the depletion of natural materials are anticipated to restrict the use of virgin materials for containerboard production.

End Use Insights

The food & beverage segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable, durable, and cost-efficient packaging solutions in the food & beverage sector. The food and beverage industry utilizes corrugated boxes produced from containerboards for storage and transportation because of their qualities, including toughness, lightness, vibration resistance, and resistance to crushing. In addition, the above properties further help decrease the overall cost of packing and shipping.

The consumer goods sector is projected to experience the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The rise in purchasing power, improved standard of living, and swift urbanization in various developed and developing nations are expected to drive the consumer goods containerboard segment, subsequently boosting market demand in the coming years. Packaging plays a crucial role in creating a brand image and changing consumer perception regarding a consumer goods brand. Branded and well-designed packaging made of containerboards can enhance a product's appearance and appeal, making it different from competitors. Therefore, the rising competition in the consumer goods industry is expected to increase the market demand for branding.

Regional Insights

The North America containerboard market accounted for a significant revenue share of 18.6% in 2024. The environmental concerns among consumers from North America and the growing regulations around environmental impact promote the use of sustainable products for packaging. Containerboard provides lightweight and durable packaging and an appealing display of the products, which has resulted in increased use of these products in the region.

U.S. Containerboard Market Trends

The U.S. containerboard market led the regional containerboard industry in 2024 due to the increasing popularity of packaged food. The food and beverage industry is an important consumer of containerboard, as corrugated boxes are commonly used for packaging these products, apart from chemicals, glass, and various consumer items. The expansion of this market is driven by changes in consumer habits and a growing preference for packaged meals.

Europe Containerboard Market Trends

Europe containerboard market was the second-largest market after APAC. It is experiencing growth due to a major focus on eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives, primarily due to rise in regulations requiring more recyclable and environmentally friendly materials. The increasing need for packaging materials in the food, beverage, and retail industries plays a significant role in market expansion. Germany stands out as the dominant country in the European market.

Asia Pacific Containerboard Market Trends

The Asia Pacific containerboard market dominated the market and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 8.6% over the forecast period. The penetration of several end use sectors, such as food & beverage, consumer goods, and agriculture industries, and high consumerism contribute to the increased demand for containerboard in the region.

China containerboard market held the highest share of the regional market in 2024. Rising consumer spending, rapid urbanization, industrial trade, and production in China boost the demand for packaging materials. The increase in e-commerce, a growing middle class, and rising urbanization have further impelled the demand for packaged products, particularly in industries such as food, electronics, and personal care.

India containerboard market is expected to grow fastest in Asia Pacific, fueled by government efforts for sustainability and advancements within the domestic industry. For instance, Silverton Pulp and Paper, a paper manufacturing facility in North India, along with Worthwell Papers, introduced new White Kraft Liner (WKL) containerboard solution in January 2025. This initiative addresses the growing need for high-quality packaging in India and reduces dependence on imports, facilitating the Indian packaging sector's shift toward creative solutions.

Key Containerboard Company Insights

Some key players operating in the market are International Paper, OJI FIBRE SOLUTIONS (NZ) LTD, Smurfit Westrock, and Mondi.

• International Paper transforms renewable materials into everyday essentials. Its product range includes packaging solutions that safeguard and showcase goods, facilitate international trade, and enhance consumer safety. It is dedicated to circular solutions to promote recycling, minimize waste, and create a more sustainable future.

• Smurfit WestRock is a global packaging leader operating across 40 countries with over 100,000 employees. It specializes in designing, producing, and supplying a wide range of paper-based packaging products. Its portfolio includes corrugated packaging, consumer packaging, Bag-in-Box solutions, and point-of-sale displays.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, International Paper acquired London-based DS Smith. This merger aims to establish a leading global entity in sustainable packaging solutions, significantly enhancing its presence in the growing North American and European markets.

• In July 2024, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock finalized their merger, creating Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. The newly formed company aims to harness its collective strengths and unmatched geographic presence in 40 countries and establish itself as a premier global packaging partner, benefiting from its complementary product offerings and advanced sustainability features.

• In December 2024, Mondi Group expanded its capacity by successfully launching a new kraft paper machine in Štětí mill, Czech Republic, with a state-of-the-art USD 455 million paper machine.

Containerboard Market Report Scope

Global Containerboard Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and analyzes the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the containerboard market report based on material, end-use, and region.

• Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Recycled

  • Virgin

• End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Food & Beverage

  • Automotive

  • Consumer Goods

  • Industrial

  • Other End Uses

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • India

    • China

    • Japan

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

  • Central & South America