United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 4.07 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 4.63 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 2.59 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market Analysis
The United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 4.07 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 4.63 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 2.59% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Depending on the application, corrugated packaging is found in different styles, shapes, and sizes. Due to its 100% recyclability and cost-effectiveness, it is widely used in the packaging industry.
- Corrugated boards are highly versatile and can take various forms other than the box. It still is the most commonly used packaging material in the UK. They are slowly replacing flexible plastic bags due to sustainability issues. Moreover, corrugated boxes act as a perfect base to hold several types of printing techniques. Due to this, companies tend to prefer corrugated packaging as a marketing tool. Also, it is used for a very wide range of food, grocery, and manufactured products.
- According to the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI ), association Papers and board consumption in the United Kingdom reached 10 million metric tons in 2021, a slight increase compared to 2020. Packaging is the most consumed type of paper and board in the UK.
- The United Kingdom has encouraged manufacturers to take responsibility for using sustainable packaging solutions. Corrugated boards have always been a popular choice of packaging due to their strength, cushioning, and protective, flexible, and recyclable properties.
- Moreover, corrugated boxes are becoming the packaging of choice across a wide range of industries, from transportation and e-commerce services to the food and drinks industry in the region. The demand for convenience foods is on the rise due to the busy lifestyle of people. The rise of e-commerce, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has heightened the need for corrugated packaging solutions in the country.
- Growing government regulations for companies to adopt sustainable packaging materials to reduce packaging waste further drives the demand for corrugated board packaging. For instance, in November 2021, the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO), which represents the corrugated packaging industry across Europe, including the United Kingdom, released its corrugated packaging recyclability guidelines aimed at optimizing recyclability via design parameters for paper and board packaging.
- However, paper cannot be recycled indefinitely, as the fibers get weaker when recycled and need to be replenished. The paper industry heavily depends on a supply of high-quality fibers that come from sustainable sources and are responsibly sourced. This, in turn, could hinder market growth in the forecast timeframe.
- The demand for corrugated packaging in the UK is witnessing significant growth due to the demand for transport packaging of essential products, such as packaging for food and other consumer products, medical and pharmaceutical and tissues, and hygiene products.
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the UK Corrugated Packaging Market according to our research experts:
E-commerce Industry Expected to Stimulate Demand
- The e-commerce industry in the UK is witnessing a significant transformation in consumer behavior owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has boosted e-commerce business as it has changed the way consumers shop. Consumers prefer to buy online rather than shopping at physical stores. Also, the recent economic slowdown has negatively influenced e-commerce package/retail sales; e-commerce retail sales have continued to rise, providing significant potential for corrugated packaging suppliers.
- Additionally, several e-commerce firms such as Amazon, Tesco, Argos, Currys, and others have benefited from using corrugated-based packaging. These corrugated boxes can help the company achieve savings of 7%-36%, depending on the box size, and can manufacture boxes with 30% greater stacking strength and crush resistance while using lighter-weight materials for the bottom panel of the box.
- According to Web retailer, in 2021, the United Kingdom was the third-largest e-commerce market globally. Online retail sales reached USD 131 billion annually, behind only China and the United States. Additionally, the UK is one of the most developed markets for e-commerce globally, with online sales making up 23% of total UK retail sales.
- Moreover, according to Office for National Statistics (UK), The United Kingdom is one o the leading market in Europe for online shopping. The revenue of e-commerce in the United Kingdom amounted to GBP 129 billion in 2021, compared to GBP 112.7 billion in 2015, which is 15% higher than in 2015.
Fresh Food and Produce Industry Expected to Gain Significant Traction
- The food industry is rapidly moving towards eco-friendly packaging by adopting corrugated board packaging solutions. The increasing concern towards hygiene in food packaging has mandated several standards for the packaging industry and stimulated the adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions.
- Fruit packing necessitates extreme caution due to the product's fragile and perishable nature. Regarding rigid fruit transport packaging, corrugated fiberboard (CFB) is the most environmentally friendly solution. Corrugated boxes have recently gained a large following among fruit exporters because of their improved adaptability for air, sea, and road transport.
- According to the most recent sales figures, health-conscious Britons drive the highest demand for fruit and vegetables this century. Stay-at-home Brits with more free time have spent more at home cooking since the first lockdown began in 2020.
- Similarly, fruit such as apples, pears, and berries witnessed record growth in 2021, while chestnut mushrooms, strong in vitamin D, saw a significant surge in popularity over the last 12 months. Therefore, the United Kingdom's fruit industry presents a huge corrugated box packaging market.
- Additionally, according to Office for National Statistics (UK), the revenue of the industry's manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and containers of paper and paperboard in the United Kingdom will amount to USD 6,15 billion by 2025. The steady increase in the demand for corrugated paper and paperboard from 2015 is supported by increasing utilization in numerous industries for packaging.
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Industry Overview
The competitive landscape of the United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market is fragmented owing to the presence of several regional players and the rapid emergence of new solution providers in the region. Also, several global players are expanding their global presence by expanding their operations in the United Kingdom. The market players are also forming strategic partnerships and collaborations to boost their market presence and gain maximum market traction.
- October 2021 - Smurfit Kappa Group acquired a 600,000-ton containerboard mill Verzuolo in Northern Italy, for a purchase price of EUR 360 million. This mill complements the company's existing operations and is strategically located close to the port of Savona, which delivers significant benefits for the company in logistics and operations.
- June 2021 - Smurfit Kappa Group announced an investment of EUR 24 million to expand its corrugated plant in Rethel, North-East France. The investment will facilitate the consolidation of two existing facilities at that plant and the installation of a new corrugator and conversion equipment.
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market Leaders
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John Hargreaves
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Board24 Ltd (Logson Group)
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Durham Box Co. Ltd
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BoxWay Packaging Group Limited
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GWP Group
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market News
- April 2022 - DS Smith introduced a corrugated cardboard box for the e-commerce shipment of medical devices. The corrugated cardboard box features a single-material solution instead of glued packaging with a single-use plastic insert.
- November 2021 - DS Smith launched a new erectable and reusable tray with an automatic side base as part of its sustainable efforts. With 100% recyclable and smart construction, DS Smith's novel sustainable tray is manufactured utilizing 100% corrugated cardboard.
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.2.1 Strong Demand from the E-commerce Sector
4.2.2 Growing Adoption of Light Weighing Materials and Scope for Printing Innovations Propelling Growth in Electronics and Personal Care Segment
4.3 Market Challenges
4.3.1 Concerns Over Material Availability and Durability of Corrugated Board-based products
4.4 Industry Supply Chain Analysis
4.5 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Force Analysis
4.5.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.5.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
4.5.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.5.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.5.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 By End-user Industry
5.1.1 Processed Food
5.1.2 Fresh Food And Produce
5.1.3 Beverages
5.1.4 Paper Products
5.1.5 Electrical Products
5.1.6 Other End-user Industry
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Company Profiles
6.1.1 Mondi Group
6.1.2 Smurfit Kappa Group
6.1.3 Ds Smith Plc
6.1.4 Westrock Company
6.1.5 Gwp Group
6.1.6 The Box Factory Limited
6.1.7 Cbs Packaging Group
6.1.8 Saxon Packaging (Smurfit Kappa Group)
6.1.9 Nuttall Packaging
6.1.10 International Paper Company
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
8. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Industry Segmentation
Corrugated packaging is made up of three or more sheets of corrugated fiberboard, also known as containerboard, and is a durable, cost-effective, and adaptable packaging material. The scope of the UK corrugated market study is structured to track the spending across end-user industries, such as processed foods, fresh food and produce, beverages, paper products, and electrical products, among other end-user industries.
| By End-user Industry | |
| Processed Food | |
| Fresh Food And Produce | |
| Beverages | |
| Paper Products | |
| Electrical Products | |
| Other End-user Industry |
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market Research FAQs
How big is the United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market?
The United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market size is expected to reach USD 4.07 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 2.59% to reach USD 4.63 billion by 2029.
What is the current United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market size?
In 2024, the United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market size is expected to reach USD 4.07 billion.
Who are the key players in United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market?
John Hargreaves, Board24 Ltd (Logson Group), Durham Box Co. Ltd, BoxWay Packaging Group Limited and GWP Group are the major companies operating in the United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market.
What years does this United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market size was estimated at USD 3.97 billion. The report covers the United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. United Kingdom Corrugated 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.
