Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market

The article discusses the increasing demand for folding cartons, boxes, and cases made of non-corrugated paper or paperboard worldwide. Market performance is forecasted to continue growing with a CAGR of +1.9% in volume and +4.6% in value from 2022 to 2030, reaching 47M tons and $178.4B respectively by 2030. The top consuming countries in 2022 were China, the United States, and India, while the biggest production volumes came from China, the United States, and India. Imports and exports of non-corrugated paper boxes also saw growth, with notable increases in certain countries like Ireland and Poland. The average import and export prices varied among countries, with China having the highest export price in 2022. Overall, the global market for non-corrugated paper boxes is expected to see steady growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 47M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $178.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Folding Cartons, Boxes And Cases Of Non-Corrugated Paper Or Paperboard

In 2022, the amount of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard consumed worldwide rose to 41M tons, picking up by 2.7% on 2021 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

The global non-corrugated paper box market value stood at $124.5B in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $127B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (9.1M tons), the United States (5.3M tons) and India (3.3M tons), with a combined 43% share of global consumption. Germany, Indonesia, Brazil, Spain, France, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Italy and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +10.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($39.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($14B). It was followed by India.

In China, the non-corrugated paper box market increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+1.1% per year) and India (+2.4% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of non-corrugated paper box per capita consumption in 2022 were Spain (24 kg per person), Germany (20 kg per person) and the United States (16 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +9.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Folding Cartons, Boxes And Cases Of Non-Corrugated Paper Or Paperboard

In 2022, approx. 41M tons of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard were produced worldwide; surging by 2.3% against the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box production reduced slightly to $123.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $141.6B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (9.5M tons), the United States (5.2M tons) and India (3.4M tons), with a combined 44% share of global production. Germany, Indonesia, Brazil, Spain, Nigeria, Pakistan, Mexico, Italy, Turkey and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +11.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Folding Cartons, Boxes And Cases Of Non-Corrugated Paper Or Paperboard

Global non-corrugated paper box imports rose remarkably to 3.4M tons in 2022, with an increase of 7.5% compared with the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box imports stood at $10.2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 13% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, France (342K tons), the United States (228K tons), the Netherlands (220K tons), Germany (203K tons), Belgium (186K tons), Mexico (164K tons), the UK (164K tons), Poland (124K tons), Spain (121K tons) and Canada (119K tons) was the key importer of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard in the world, mixing up 55% of total import. The following importers - Ireland (79K tons), Italy (76K tons) and Switzerland (69K tons) - each resulted at a 6.5% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +14.8%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-corrugated paper box importing markets worldwide were the United States ($1.1B), France ($1,000M) and Germany ($562M), with a combined 26% share of global imports. The UK, Poland, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +10.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average non-corrugated paper box import price amounted to $2,980 per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 9.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($4,736 per ton), while the Netherlands ($1,562 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+4.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Folding Cartons, Boxes And Cases Of Non-Corrugated Paper Or Paperboard

In 2022, the amount of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard exported worldwide expanded to 3.4M tons, surging by 2.1% compared with the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 6.1%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box exports rose markedly to $11.5B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Germany (593K tons), China (406K tons) and the Netherlands (346K tons), together finishing at 40% of total export. Poland (209K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Belgium (178K tons) and Canada (158K tons). All these countries together held approx. 16% share of total exports. The following exporters - Austria (144K tons), Spain (110K tons), the Czech Republic (95K tons), Italy (95K tons), Denmark (71K tons), France (71K tons) and Turkey (66K tons) - together made up 19% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-corrugated paper box supplying countries worldwide were China ($2.4B), Germany ($1.7B) and the Netherlands ($718M), together accounting for 42% of global exports. Poland, Canada, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Spain, France, Turkey, Denmark and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

Among the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +10.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average non-corrugated paper box export price stood at $3,428 per ton in 2022, increasing by 5.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 8.9%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($5,941 per ton), while the Czech Republic ($1,719 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform