Folding Carton Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The report covers Global Folding Carton Packaging Manufacturers and the market is Segmented by End-user Industry (Food and Beverage (Dry Food, Frozen Food, Dairy Product, Chilled Food, Confectionary), Household, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Tobacco, Electrical & Electronics) and Geography.

Folding Cartons Packaging Market Size

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Folding Carton Packaging Market Summary
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Study Period 2019 - 2029
Market Size (2024) USD 154.97 Billion
Market Size (2029) USD 192.02 Billion
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 4.38 %
Fastest Growing Market Asia Pacific
Largest Market Asia Pacific

Major Players

Folding Carton Packaging Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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Folding Cartons Packaging Market Analysis

The Folding Carton Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 154.97 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 192.02 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.38% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

  • Counterfeiting is a high-volume, high-profit business that causes the infringement of intellectual property rights, medicine legislation, and other criminal law aspects. Medicine counterfeiting (or falsification) presents a global risk that requires effective preventive responses. Falsification involves the knowing misrepresentation of a pharmaceutical product's characteristics and provenance and the deliberate avoidance of legally instituted regulatory processes. Even if they contain the right ingredients, medicines produced in unregulated circumstances are inherently hazardous.
  • Owing to this, several market players are incorporating 2D matrix codes on folding carton packages for medicines. For instance, CCL Label Montreal designed a serialized folding carton packaging solution to achieve 100% electronic inspection of each folded carton's print quality. Each folding carton would be inspected and given an inspection status. A report would be generated at the final stage showing all accepted and rejected cartons' final results. The result would be a unique and real 100% electronic print inspection system designed for the folding carton industry. The critical element for this concept to succeed is to have a serialized identifier on each folding carton. Each folding carton generated will be forever unique, eventually propelling the demand for Folding Cartons.
  • In March 2022, Van GenechtenPackaging developed a recyclable folding carton packaging for chocolate, PurePac, with an inside anti-grease barrier that eliminates the need for aluminum or plastic inner packaging. As for packaging design, Van GenechtenPackaging offers a range of finishing techniques, including low-migration inks, decorative varnishes, and embellishments like hot and cold foil and embossing. The company uses food-safe colors and varnishes for printing inside and outside packaging.
  • With the outbreak of COVID-19, folding cartons faced slow growth due to lockdowns imposed by various countries that disrupted the supply chain. During the pandemic, the stockpiling from consumers' end reduced after the initial phases and was witnessed by grocery stores across the globe. This disappearing behavior of stockpiling also reduced the demand for folding carton manufacturers during the pandemic.
  • However, as per available Indian government statistics, the cost of pulp has increased by over 25% in the last 12 months from March 2022. This was mainly due to higher-quality environmental standards after COVID-19 and the growing demand for paper-packaged products. Due to supply problems brought on by COVID-19-led lockdowns and international logistics disruptions, import and domestic waste paper costs rose. According to an industry expert, the unbleached pulp prices increased to over USD 900 and bleached pulp to around USD 1,300 a tonne, a sharp hike that paper mills found tough to handle. Also, Paper prices just went up 14% for the packaging industry, the first increase of 2022. This could hinder the market growth.

Folding Cartons Packaging Market Trends

Food and Beverage Segment to Hold a Major Market Share

  • The changing lifestyles of the public and the rising demand for ready-to-eat, frozen, and packaged items have fueled the rise of the food and beverage business, which, in turn, is driving the folding cartons market.
  • According to the US Census Bureau, the industry revenue from frozen food manufacturing in the United States was USD 33.86 billion in 2021 and is expected to cross USD 36.59 billion by 2024. Such developments have improved the strategic activities in the frozen food market.
  • In May 2023, Stora Enso, a Finnish company, launched a new easy-to-recycle packaging board called Tambrite Aqua+. It is appropriate for packing chilled and frozen food. The use of polymers derived from fossil fuels has been minimized with the help of this folding box board solution. It is naturally recyclable and will help to advance the circular economy more generally. Tambrite Aqua+ is created utilizing 'dispersion coating' technology, making it a water-based solution readily integrated with the paperboard surface and offering the necessary protection. Also, devoid of fluorochemicals, the novel solution can endure exterior wetness or grease while protecting the goods from contamination.
  • The pandemic has driven the demand for frozen foods through online delivery mediums. In Countries like India, COVID-19 expanded the consumption of frozen foods, and these food habits were expected to remain the same despite the drop in cases. According to the Economic Times, the size of online food delivery across the country is expected to increase from USD 2.9 billion in 2020 to USD 12.8 billion by 2025. The country is also witnessing an increased demand for folding cartons for packaging frozen foods due to the ban on plastic counterparts.
  • Further, in the UK, the plastic tax, which came in April 2022 (taxing any plastic packaging not comprising at least 30% recycled plastic), is also likely to increase demand for paper-based packaging as frozen food brands and manufacturers switch.
  • Owing to such factors, the demand consumption of folding cartons is expected to increase not only in the food and beverage segment but also in other segments. According to, Suzano, carton board consumption reached 54 million tons in 2022 and is forecast to increase by 12 million tons in 2032. The demand for carton boards is expected to increase further over the next decade. Cartonboard is a type of paperboard used for manufacturing folding cartons.
Folding Carton Packaging Market: Global Cartonboard Consumption, in Million Tons, 2022-2032 (Forecast)

Asia-Pacific to Hold the Largest Market Share

  • The folding carton packaging industry is experiencing healthy growth, fueled by the increase in the region's consumption of beverages and packaged food. The region focused on sustainable and reusable packaging to reduce global warming and abide by the environmental protection act proposed by the Government.
  • Furthermore, according to the company Oizuru, the collection rate of boxes in Japan is as high as 95%, with a recycling rate of 90% at corrugated cardboard facilities, driving manufacturers to reduce costs and increase processing capacity. Additionally, driving demand in the region is the enhanced flexibility of carton boxes, which may be utilized as exterior materials and processed into the interiors of complicated constructions.
  • The emergence of direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in fashion, cosmetics, consumer electronics, and food has also aided this increase in demand. Using a D2C approach and engaging directly with the expanding number of digital shoppers, these new-age digital-first brands are now challenging established brands. Such instances are anticipated to drive market growth.
  • Also, there have been various developments, such as product innovations and expansion activities by vendors in the market. For instance, in March 2022, Heidelberg expanded its portfolio for in-mold label and folding carton production by entering into a distribution agreement with Japanese company AN Corporation for the Kawahara TXS-1100 and Kawahara BMS-1100 automated post-press systems.
  • In March 2022, Tokyo-based Think of Things shop and cafe offered high-functional cardboard boxes dubbed CARTON 2.0 that are waterproof enough to contain liquid inside. The project is a collaboration with IZAK, a company that produces valuable cardboard boxes. Environmentally sustainable cooling and waterproofing materials are employed in such boxes, which are especially useful for transporting fishery and refrigerated items. However, this is not a permanently waterproof product due to the possibility of pinholes on the surface becoming permeable over time.
Folding Carton Packaging Market - Growth Rate by Region

Folding Cartons Packaging Industry Overview

The Folding Carton Packaging Market is moderately competitive and has several major players, such as Westrock Company, Smurfit Kappa Group, Graphic Packaging LLC, Stora Enso Oyj, and more. In terms of market share, few major players currently dominate the market. However, many companies increase their market presence with innovative and sustainable packaging by securing new contracts and tapping new markets.

In May 2022, Smurfit Kappa United Kingdom Limited, an integrated manufacturer of paper-based packaging products, announced the acquisition of Atlas Packaging. Based in Barnstaple, North Devon, Atlas Packaging is an independent corrugated packaging company that provides rand and has a strong market presence in the United Kingdom.

In April 2022, WestRock Company partnered with Recipe Unlimited to implement a suite of recyclable paperboard packaging intended to divert 31 million plastic containers from landfills across Canada each year. The packaging began appearing at Swiss Chalet restaurants in October 2021 and is now available across all locations.

Folding Cartons Packaging Market Leaders

  1. Westrock Company

  2. Graphic Packaging International LLc

  3. Mayr Meinhof Packaging International Gmbh

  4. Smurfit Kappa Group

  5. Seaboard Folding Box Company Inc.

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Folding Carton Packaging Market Concentration
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Folding Cartons Packaging Market News

  • May 2022: Smurfit Kappa announced an investment of over EUR 35 million (USD 38.7 million approximately) to construct a new packaging plant in Morocco, its first corrugated plant. The plant is in Rabat and covers an area of 25,000 m2; it was likely to enable Smurfit Kappa to supply innovative and sustainable packaging solutions quickly and efficiently to its local customer base.
  • March 2022: Stora Enso Oyj introduced the CarrEco Brown bag from 100% fresh fibers. The material had high strength and tear resistance properties and was safe for direct food contact.

Folding Cartons Packaging Market Report - Table of Contents

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    1. 1.1 Study Assumption and Market Definition

    2. 1.2 Scope of the Study

  2. 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

  3. 3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  4. 4. MARKET INSIGHTS

    1. 4.1 Market Overview

    2. 4.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis

    3. 4.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 4.3.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      2. 4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

      3. 4.3.3 Threat of New Entrants

      4. 4.3.4 Threat of Substitutes

      5. 4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

    4. 4.4 Assessment Of The Impact Of COVID-19 On The Industry

  5. 5. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 5.1 Market Drivers

      1. 5.1.1 Leading-edge Packaging Design Services And Sustainability Demand to Drive the Market

    2. 5.2 Market Restraints

      1. 5.2.1 Fluctuations In Wood Pulp Demand And Gap between Supply And Demand to Hinder the Market Growth

  6. 6. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 6.1 By End-user Industry

      1. 6.1.1 Food and Beverages

      2. 6.1.2 Household

      3. 6.1.3 Personal Care and Cosmetics

      4. 6.1.4 Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

      5. 6.1.5 Tobacco

      6. 6.1.6 Electrical and Hardware

      7. 6.1.7 Other End-user Industries

    2. 6.2 Geography

      1. 6.2.1 North America

        1. 6.2.1.1 United States

        2. 6.2.1.2 Canada

      2. 6.2.2 Europe

        1. 6.2.2.1 United Kingdom

        2. 6.2.2.2 Germany

        3. 6.2.2.3 France

        4. 6.2.2.4 Italy

        5. 6.2.2.5 Spain

        6. 6.2.2.6 Rest of Europe

      3. 6.2.3 Asia-Pacific

        1. 6.2.3.1 China

        2. 6.2.3.2 Japan

        3. 6.2.3.3 India

        4. 6.2.3.4 Australia

        5. 6.2.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific

      4. 6.2.4 Latin America

        1. 6.2.4.1 Brazil

        2. 6.2.4.2 Argentina

        3. 6.2.4.3 Mexico

        4. 6.2.4.4 Rest of Latin America

      5. 6.2.5 Middle East and Africa

        1. 6.2.5.1 Saudi Arabia

        2. 6.2.5.2 South Africa

        3. 6.2.5.3 Egypt

        4. 6.2.5.4 Rest of Middle East and Africa

  7. 7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

    1. 7.1 Company Profiles

      1. 7.1.1 WestRock Company

      2. 7.1.2 Graphic Packaging International LLC (graphic Packaging Holding Company)

      3. 7.1.3 Mayr Meinhof Packaging International Gmbh (mayr-melnhof Karton Ag)

      4. 7.1.4 Smurfit Kappa Group

      5. 7.1.5 Seaboard Folding Box Company Inc. (vidya Brands Group)

      6. 7.1.6 American Carton Company

      7. 7.1.7 All Packaging Company

      8. 7.1.8 Essentra Plc (essentra Group)

      9. 7.1.9 Stora Enso Oyj

      10. 7.1.10 Unipak Inc.

      11. 7.1.11 DS Smith PLC

      12. 7.1.12 Edelmann Gmbh

    2. *List Not Exhaustive
  8. 8. FUTURE OF THE MARKET

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Folding Cartons Packaging Industry Segmentation

The folding carton packaging market is one of the most used eco-friendly packaging solutions due to its ability to produce various sizes with a small carbon footprint, making it feasible for use in different end-user industries. The scope of the study includes the revenue generated by the folding carton sales to the end-users on business to business level. The folding carton packaging market witnessed growth, as folding cartons can enhance the visibility of products and increase buyers' attention to products. Moreover, growing awareness of personalized packaging also supports the development of this market.

The Folding Carton Packaging Market is Segmented by End-user Industry (Food and Beverage, Household, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Tobacco, Electrical & Electronics) and By Geography (North America (United States, Canada), Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Rest of Latin America), The Middle East, and Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Egypt, Rest of Middle East and Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD) for all the above segments.

By End-user Industry
Food and Beverages
Household
Personal Care and Cosmetics
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Tobacco
Electrical and Hardware
Other End-user Industries
Geography
North America
United States
Canada
Europe
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Italy
Spain
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
India
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Latin America
Brazil
Argentina
Mexico
Rest of Latin America
Middle East and Africa
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Egypt
Rest of Middle East and Africa
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Folding Cartons Packaging Market Research FAQs

The Folding Carton Packaging Market size is expected to reach USD 154.97 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 4.38% to reach USD 192.02 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the Folding Carton Packaging Market size is expected to reach USD 154.97 billion.

Westrock Company , Graphic Packaging International LLc , Mayr Meinhof Packaging International Gmbh, Smurfit Kappa Group and Seaboard Folding Box Company Inc. are the major companies operating in the Folding Carton Packaging Market.

Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).

In 2024, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Folding Carton Packaging Market.

In 2023, the Folding Carton Packaging Market size was estimated at USD 148.47 billion. The report covers the Folding Carton Packaging Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Folding Carton Packaging Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

Folding Carton Packaging Industry Report

Statistics for the 2024 Folding Carton Packaging market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligenceā„¢ Industry Reports. Folding Carton Packaging analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

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Folding Carton Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)