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United States Corrugated & Paperboard Boxes to 2026

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    Report

  • 220 Pages
  • March 2022
  • Region: United States
  • The Freedonia Group
  • ID: 4755710
Through 2026, demand for boxes in the US is forecast to increase 2.0% yearly from a high 2021 base to $49.9 billion, with volume demand reaching 31.9 million tons. Although the corrugated and paperboard box market in the US is mature, there are notable growth opportunities in nonmanufacturing applications such as e-commerce, foodservice, and delivery. In addition, suppliers will continue to introduce higher value boxes to the market in order to meet the sustainability and efficiency needs of their customers.
E-Commerce Will Provide the Best Opportunities for Corrugated Boxes

Demand for boxes in e-commerce applications will grow at a double-digit pace, the fastest rate of any market. E-commerce continues to account for an increasing share of retail sales, a trend that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic when more people took advantage of these services to stay at home. Corrugated boxes will account for nearly all demand in this market due to their predominance as shipping containers.


Several e-commerce trends are expected to have a large impact on corrugated and paperboard box design and innovation, including:

  • direct-to-consumer shipments, which will boost demand for primary packaging that can also act as a shipping container
  • right-sizing of packaging, which will act to limit the volume of packaging used


Foodservice & Carryout Applications Will Bolster Demand for Folding Cartons


Rising use of multi-restaurant delivery platforms such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats - along with subsequent increased delivery and takeout options offered by restaurants themselves - will boost healthy gains in demand for folding cartons in foodservice and carryout applications. New municipal regulations and manufacturers’ efforts to reduce the amount of single-use plastics used in the foodservice segment will also benefit demand for folding cartons; however, cartons will continue to face some competition from single-use plastics due to consumer preferences for packaging that reduces the occurrence of food spills and leaks.


Better Aesthetics, Sustainability, & Advanced Features Support Use of Higher Value Boxes


Although they are essentially a commodity product, boxes are increasingly enhanced to improve their aesthetics and functionality:
  • Digital printing is increasingly used to add photo-quality images to both the interior and exterior of boxes in order to catch a customer’s eye, and graphics can be easily altered for short production runs or personalized packaging.
  • Concerns over the sustainability of boxes has led suppliers to continue to shift from wax coatings to higher cost water-based or biobased alternatives, which enhance moisture-resistance while enabling boxes to be recycled.
  • Boxes are increasingly being equipped with features such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensors, which help with inventory management and shipment tracking.

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary
2. COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Overview
  • Impact on the Economy
  • Impact on the Corrugated & Paperboard Box Industry

3. Overview
  • Study Scope
  • Historical Trends
  • Box Types
  • Markets Overview
  • Pricing Trends & Product Mix
  • Production Trends
  • International Trade
  • US Supply & Demand
  • Imports
  • Exports
  • Impact of Tariffs

4. Raw Materials
  • Paperboard
  • Product Description
  • Supply & Demand
  • Consumption in Box Production
  • Other Materials
  • Consumption of Adhesives, Coatings, & Inks During Box Production
  • Adhesives
  • Protective Coatings
  • Inks


5. Factors Impacting Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand
  • Growth of E-Commerce
  • Retail-Ready Packaging
  • Development of Value-Added Features
  • Examples of Value-Added Features
  • Coated Boxes
  • Smart Boxes
  • Digital Printing
  • Competitive Products
  • Sustainability Initiatives
  • Recycling & Recycled Content
  • Compostability
  • Renewable Resource & Forest Management
  • Regulations
  • Regulatory Bodies
  • Renewable Energy Tax Credits

6. Corrugated Boxes
  • Scope & Product Description
  • Supply & Demand
  • Production Trends
  • Applications (Shipping vs. Packaging)
  • Markets
  • Market Share & Key Suppliers

7. Folding Cartons
  • Scope & Product Description
  • Supply & Demand
  • Markets
  • Market Share & Key Suppliers

8. Set-Up Paperboard Boxes
  • Scope & Product Description
  • Supply & Demand
  • Markets
  • Market Share & Key Suppliers

9. Food & Beverage Markets
  • Market Scope
  • Demand by Market
  • Grain Mill Products
  • Meat, Poultry, & Seafood
  • Beverages
  • Fresh Produce
  • Frozen Food
  • Bakery Products
  • Canned Food
  • Dairy Products
  • Candy & Confections
  • Other Foods

10. Nonfood Nondurable Goods Markets
  • Market Scope
  • Demand by Market
  • Paper & Publishing
  • Rubber & Plastic Products
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Chemical Products
  • Cosmetics & Toiletries
  • Other Nonfood Nondurable Goods

11. Durable Goods Markets
  • Market Scope
  • Demand by Market
  • Machinery & Equipment
  • Glass & Ceramic Products
  • Fabricated Metal Products
  • Furniture, Lumber, & Wood Products
  • Toys & Sporting Goods
  • Silverware & Jewelry
  • Motor Vehicle Parts
  • Music, Entertainment, & Software
  • Instruments & All Other Durable Goods


12. Nonmanufacturing Markets
  • Market Scope
  • Demand by Market
  • Foodservice & Carryout
  • E-Commerce
  • Moving, Storage, & Other Nonmanufacturing Markets

13. Industry Structure
  • Key Findings & Industry Composition
  • Market Share
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Competitive Strategies
  • Distribution Strategies
  • Regional Dynamics
  • List of Industry Participants


14. Appendix
  • Report Details
  • Definitions
  • Abbreviations
  • Methodology
  • Study-Specific Methodology
  • Data Changes from Previous Version
  • Sources
  • Associations & Agencies
  • Related Studies & Reports
  • Macroeconomic Assumptions
  • Economic Environment
  • Demographics
  • Consumer Spending
  • Manufacturers' Shipments
  • E-Commerce Sales
  • Retail Sales

List of Tables
2. COVID-19 Pandemic
Table 2-1 - Macroeconomic Indicators, 2019 - 2023 (billion 2012 dollars)
Table 2-2 - Annual Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand by Product, 2019 - 2022 (million dollars)
Table 2-3 - Annual Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand by Market, 2019 - 2022 (million dollars)
3. Overview
Table 3-1 - Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand, 2006 - 2021 (thousand tons & million dollars)
Table 3-2 - Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand tons)
Table 3-3 - Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand tons)
Table 3-4 - Corrugated & Paperboard Box Average Price by Product, 2011 - 2031 (dollars per ton)
Table 3-5 - Corrugated & Paperboard Box Production by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand tons)
Table 3-6 - Corrugated & Paperboard Box Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
4. Raw Materials
Table 4-1 - Paperboard Supply & Demand by Type, 2011 - 2031 (thousand tons)
Table 4-2 - Paperboard Consumption in Corrugated & Paperboard Box Production by Grade & Box Type, 2011 - 2031 (thousand tons)
Table 4-3 - Selected Other Materials Consumption in Corrugated & Paperboard Box Production by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million pounds & million dollars)
Table 4-4 - Protective Coatings Consumption in Corrugated & Paperboard Box Production by Type, 2011 - 2031 (million pounds & million dollars)
6. Corrugated Boxes
Table 6-1 - Corrugated Boxes: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Competitive Products
Table 6-2 - Corrugated Box Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (thousand tons & million dollars)
Table 6-3 - Corrugated Box Shipments & Production, 2011 - 2031 (thousand tons & billion square feet)
Table 6-4 - Corrugated Box Demand by Application, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 6-5 - Corrugated Box Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
7. Folding Cartons
Table 7-1 - Folding Cartons: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Competitive Products
Table 7-2 - Folding Paperboard Carton Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (thousand tons & million dollars)
Table 7-3 - Folding Paperboard Carton Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
8. Set-Up Paperboard Boxes
Table 8-1 - Set-Up Paperboard Boxes: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Competitive Products
Table 8-2 - Set-Up Paperboard Box Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (thousand tons & million dollars)
Table 8-3 - Set-Up Paperboard Box Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
9. Food & Beverage Markets
Table 9-1 - Food & Beverage Box Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-2 - Grain Mill Products: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-3 - Industry Codes Related to Grain Mill Products
Table 9-4 - Meat, Poultry, & Seafood Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-5 - Industry Codes Related to Meat, Poultry, & Seafood
Table 9-6 - Beverage Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-7 - Industry Codes Related to Beverages
Table 9-8 - Fresh Produce Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-9 - Frozen Food Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-10 - Industry Codes Related to Frozen Food
Table 9-11 - Bakery Product Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-12 - Industry Codes Related to Baked Goods
Table 9-13 - Canned Goods Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-14 - Industry Codes Related to Canned Goods
Table 9-15 - Dairy Product Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-16 - Industry Codes Related to Dairy Products
Table 9-17 - Candy & Confection Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-18 - Industry Codes Related to Candy & Confections
Table 9-19 - Other Foods Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 9-20 - Industry Codes Related to Selected Other Foods
10. Nonfood Nondurable Goods Markets
Table 10-1 - Nonfood Nondurable Goods Box Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 10-2 - Paper & Publishing Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 10-3 - Rubber & Plastic Product Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 10-4 - Pharmaceuticals Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 10-5 - Chemical Products: Box Demand by Application & Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 10-6 - Cosmetics & Toiletries Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 10-7 - Other Nonfood Nondurable Goods Market: Box Demand by Application & Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
11. Durable Goods Markets
Table 11-1 - Durable Goods Box Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-2 - Machinery & Equipment Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-3 - Glass & Ceramic Products Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-4 - Fabricated Metal Products Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-5 - Furniture, Lumber, & Wood Products: Box Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-6 - Toys & Sporting Goods Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-7 - Silverware & Jewelry Products Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-8 - Motor Vehicle Parts Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-9 - Music, Entertainment, & Software Products Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 11-10 - Instruments & All Other Durable Goods Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
12. Nonmanufacturing Markets
Table 12-1 - Nonmanufacturing Box Demand by Market & Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 12-2 - Foodservice & Carryout Market: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 12-3 - E-Commerce Market: Box Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
Table 12-4 - Moving, Storage, & Other Nonmanufacturing Markets: Box Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)
13. Industry Structure
Table 13-1 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Sales by Company, 2021 (million dollars)
Table 13-2 - Selected Mergers & Acquisitions
Table 13-3 - Selected Industry Participants
14. Appendix
Table 14-1 - Relevant Industry Codes
Table 14-2 - Relevant HS Codes
Table 14-3 - Abbreviations & Acronyms Used in Study
Table 14-4 - Macroeconomic Indicators, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)
Table 14-5 - Population & Households, 2011 - 2031 (million persons)
Table 14-6 - Personal Consumption Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion dollars)
Table 14-7 - Manufacturers' Shipments, 2011 - 2031 (billion dollars & billion 2012 dollars)
Table 14-8 - E-Commerce Sales by Market, 2011 - 2031 (billion dollars)
Table 14-9 - Retail Sales by Market, 2011 - 2031 (billion dollars)
List of Figures
1. Executive Summary
Figure 1-1 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Market
2. COVID-19 Pandemic
Figure 2-1 - Real GDP by Economic Sector, 2020 - 2023 (% annual change)
Figure 2-2 - Annual Corrugated & Paperboard Box Value Demand by Market, 2019 - 2022 (% annual change)
3. Overview
Figure 3-1 - Corrugated & Paperboard Boxes: Product Examples
Figure 3-2 - Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand, 2005 - 2021 (million dollars)
Figure 3-3 - Corrugated & Paperboard Box Average Price by Product, 2011 - 2031 (dollars per ton)
Figure 3-4 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Imports Share by Source, 2021 (billion dollars)
Figure 3-5 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Exports Share by Destination, 2021 (billion dollars)
5. Factors Impacting Corrugated & Paperboard Box Demand
Figure 5-1 - Product Example: Boxes Used for E-Commerce Orders
Figure 5-2 - Product Example: Retail-Ready Boxes
Figure 5-3 - Product Examples: Coated Boxes
Figure 5-4 - Product Example: Smart Boxes
Figure 5-5 - Product Examples: Digital Printing
6. Corrugated Boxes
Figure 6-1 - Corrugated Boxes: Product Examples
Figure 6-2 - US Corrugated Boxes Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)
7. Folding Cartons
Figure 7-1 - Folding Cartons: Product Examples
Figure 7-2 - US Folded Paperboard Cartons Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)
8. Set-Up Paperboard Boxes
Figure 8-1 - Set-Up Paperboard Boxes: Product Examples
Figure 8-2 - US Set-Up Paperboard Box Market Share by Company, 2021 (million dollars)
9. Food & Beverage Markets
Figure 9-1 - Food & Beverage Applications for Corrugated & Paperboard Boxes, 2021
Figure 9-2 - Grain Mill Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-3 - Meat, Poultry, & Seafood: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-4 - Beverages: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-5 - Fresh Produce: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-6 - Frozen Foods: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-7 - Bakery Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-8 - Canned Foods: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-9 - Dairy Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-10 - Candy & Confections: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 9-11 - Other Foods: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
10. Nonfood Nondurable Goods Markets
Figure 10-1 - Nonfood Nondurable Goods Applications for Corrugated & Paperboard Boxes, 2021
Figure 10-2 - Paper & Publishing Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 10-3 - Rubber & Plastic Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 10-4 - Pharmaceuticals: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 10-5 - Chemical Products: Examples & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 10-6 - Cosmetics & Toiletries: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 10-7 - Other Nonfood Nondurable Goods: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
11. Durable Goods Markets
Figure 11-1 - Durable Goods Applications for Corrugated & Paperboard Boxes, 2021
Figure 11-2 - Machinery & Equipment: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 11-3 - Glass & Ceramic Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 11-4 - Fabricated Metal Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 11-5 - Toys & Sporting Goods: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 11-6 - Silverware & Jewelry Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 11-7 - Motor Vehicle Parts: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 11-8 - Music, Entertainment, & Software Products: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 11-9 - Instruments & All Other Durable Goods: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
12. Nonmanufacturing Markets
Figure 12-1 - Nonmanufacturing Applications for Corrugated & Paperboard Boxes, 2021
Figure 12-2 - Foodservice & Carryout: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
Figure 12-3 - E-Commerce: Applications
Figure 12-4 - Moving, Storage, & All Other Nonmanufacturing Markets: Applications & Box Demand by Product, 2021
13. Industry Structure
Figure 13-1 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)
Figure 13-2 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Market: Leading Supplier, 2021
Figure 13-3 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Market: Second Leading Supplier, 2021
Figure 13-4 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Market: Third Leading Supplier, 2021
Figure 13-5 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Box Market: Fourth Leading Supplier, 2021
Figure 13-6 - US Corrugated & Paperboard Boxes Market: Fifth Leading Supplier, 2021

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