Paperboard Case Material Market

The article projects a positive trend in the consumption and market value of paperboard case materials from 2022 to 2030. It discusses the performance of the global market, major consuming countries like China, the United States, and Japan, as well as major producing countries such as China, the United States, and Japan. It also looks at trends in global imports and exports, highlighting key products and prices. Overall, the analysis provides valuable insights into the industry's growth and potential opportunities for stakeholders.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for paperboard case materials worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 219M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $234.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Paperboard Case Materials

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in consumption of paperboard case materials, when its volume decreased by -0.8% to 185M tons. 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 being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 7.5% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 187M tons, leveling off in the following year.

The global paperboard case material market value shrank to $164.4B in 2022, falling by -8.8% 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). Overall, the total consumption indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +58.1% against 2016 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $180.2B, and then declined in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (62M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of paperboard case material consumption, accounting for 33% of total volume. Moreover, paperboard case material consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (30M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Japan (9.2M tons), with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +4.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+1.1% per year) and Japan (+0.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($91.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($19.3B). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +5.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+2.7% per year) and Japan (-5.8% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of paperboard case material per capita consumption in 2022 were South Korea (103 kg per person), the United States (90 kg per person) and Spain (86 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +6.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Paperboard Case Materials

After three years of growth, production of paperboard case materials decreased by -0.7% to 183M tons in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 7.5% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 185M tons, leveling off in the following year.

In value terms, paperboard case material production shrank to $168.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +92.3% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $197.4B, and then dropped in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (56M tons), the United States (34M tons) and Japan (10M tons), together comprising 55% of global production. Germany, India, South Korea, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, France, Spain, Thailand and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +8.2%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Paperboard Case Materials

After ten years of growth, purchases abroad of paperboard case materials decreased by -3.6% to 35M tons in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 16%. Global imports peaked at 36M tons in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, paperboard case material imports expanded notably to $27B in 2022. In general, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +33.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, China (5.9M tons), distantly followed by Germany (2.6M tons), Italy (2.2M tons) and Poland (2M tons) were the largest importers of paperboard case materials, together achieving 36% of total imports. Mexico (1.5M tons), France (1.4M tons), the United States (1.3M tons), Belgium (1.3M tons), the UK (1.3M tons), Spain (1M tons), Canada (0.8M tons), the Netherlands (0.7M tons) and the Czech Republic (0.7M tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the paperboard case materials imports, with a CAGR of +23.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United States (+6.3%), Poland (+6.0%), the Czech Republic (+5.0%), Mexico (+4.7%), Italy (+4.5%), Canada (+3.4%), Spain (+2.8%), the Netherlands (+2.8%), the UK (+2.4%), Germany (+1.8%) and France (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. China (+14 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Belgium and Germany saw its share reduced by -2% and -2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($3.4B), Germany ($1.8B) and Italy ($1.8B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 26% of global imports.

China, with a CAGR of +21.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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.

Imports By Type

The imports of the three major types of paperboard case materials, namely paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets, unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm and testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing <= 150 g/m², represented more than two-thirds of total import. Testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m² (4.2M tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (6.8%) and semi-chemical fluting (6.1%). Paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no.4805 (1.4M tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m² (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($6.5B), paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets ($6.1B) and testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing <= 150 g/m² ($5.5B) were the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 67% of global imports. Testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m², kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm, paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no.4805, semi-chemical fluting and paper and paperboard; uncoated, straw fluting paper, rolls or sheets lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Among the main imported products, testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m², with a CAGR of +12.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average paperboard case material import price amounted to $766 per ton, rising by 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 33% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no.4805 ($1,339 per ton), while the price for paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets ($647 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by semi-chemical fluting (+3.5%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average paperboard case material import price amounted to $766 per ton, jumping by 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 33% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($928 per ton), while China ($571 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+4.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Paperboard Case Materials

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of paperboard case materials, when their volume decreased by -3% to 34M tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 16%. The global exports peaked at 35M tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, paperboard case material exports amounted to $24.8B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +31.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Germany (5.2M tons) and the United States (5.2M tons) represented the key exporters of paperboard case materialsin the world, together committing 31% of total exports. Sweden (2M tons) took a 5.9% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by France (4.8%). Poland (1.4M tons), the Netherlands (1.3M tons), Canada (1.3M tons), Austria (1.2M tons), Finland (1.1M tons), Russia (1.1M tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (1M tons), Japan (1M tons) and Belgium (0.9M tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +30.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paperboard case material supplying countries worldwide were the United States ($4.1B), Germany ($3.8B) and Sweden ($1.4B), together accounting for 38% of global exports. France, Poland, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, Austria, Russia, Belgium, Japan and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

Japan, with a CAGR of +19.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets (8.3M tons), unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (7.7M tons) and testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing <= 150 g/m² (7.3M tons) represented the largest type of paperboard case materials in the world, mixing up 70% of total export. Testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m² (3.9M tons) held a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by semi-chemical fluting (7%), kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (6.5%) and paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no.4805 (4.9%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m² (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($6.1B), paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets ($5.2B) and testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing <= 150 g/m² ($5.1B) were the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 67% of global exports.

Testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing <= 150 g/m², with a CAGR of +11.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average paperboard case material export price stood at $736 per ton in 2022, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 33%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no.4805 ($1,195 per ton), while the average price for exports of paper and paperboard; uncoated, straw fluting paper, rolls or sheets ($605 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by kraft paper and paperboard; kraftliner, uncoated, unbleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (+3.5%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average paperboard case material export price stood at $736 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($857 per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($503 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform