Thermal Paper Market Report 2026

The thermal paper market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.11 billion in 2025 to $5.57 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of POS terminal installations, growth in retail transaction volumes, widespread use of receipt-based documentation, adoption of thermal printing technologies, availability of low-cost printing solutions.

The thermal paper market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.75 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing digital payment volumes supporting receipt demand, rising adoption of eco-friendly thermal paper, expansion of logistics labeling applications, growing focus on regulatory-compliant coatings, increasing use in healthcare documentation. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of bpa-free thermal coatings, rising demand for long-life receipt paper, growing use of high-sensitivity thermal paper grades, expansion of label and tag printing applications, enhanced focus on print quality consistency.

The rise of e-commerce industry is expected to propel the growth of thermal paper market going forward. Thermal paper is used in e-commerce industry for printing shipping labels, order receipts, and packing slips. Thermal paper offers cost-effective, efficient, and convenient solutions for transaction-related documents, barcode printing, and mobile printing devices, aligning with the dynamic needs of the fast-paced online retail environment. For instance, in August 2024, according to a report published by the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, a US-based government agency, U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2024 reached an estimated $291.6 billion, a 1.3% rise from the first quarter of 2024. Total retail sales for the same period were estimated at $1.82 trillion, up 0.5% from the previous quarter. Compared to the second quarter of 2023, e-commerce sales grew by 6.7%, while total retail sales increased by 2.1%. E-commerce accounted for 16% of total retail sales in the second quarter of 2024. Therefore, the rise of e-commerce industry is driving the growth of the thermal paper market.

Major companies operating in the thermal paper market are increasingly concentrating on the development of innovative solutions, such as Ineris-certified, top-coated phenol-free facestock, to improve environmental safety, comply with strict regulatory requirements, and address the rising demand for sustainable and food-contact-safe labeling applications. Ineris-certified top-coated phenol-free facestock refers to a specialized label facestock material intended for safety-critical and regulated uses, combining environmental compliance, strong print performance, and validated safety standards. For instance, in April 2024, Lecta Ltd., a Spain-based specialty paper and labeling materials manufacturer, introduced Termax TCLLX, an advanced linerless thermal facestock designed for variable information printing applications. The product consists of high-performance thermal paper paired with a proprietary topcoat that provides resistance to abrasion, moisture, and chemicals while preserving print clarity and barcode legibility. Termax TCLLX allows for longer roll lengths, enhanced operational efficiency, and reduced storage and transportation costs, while supporting sustainability objectives by eliminating liner waste and lowering overall material usage. It is especially suitable for food packaging, retail pricing, logistics, and weigh-scale labeling applications, offering a more environmentally responsible alternative to traditional thermal paper labels.

In September 2023, Quantum Capital Partners, a Germany-based investment firm, acquired the Flensburg paper mill from Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH. This acquisition enhanced QCP's network and established a center of expertise in the paper industry, complementing their prior investments and solidifying their market position. Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH is a Germany-based specialty paper manufacturer that focuses on producing coated specialty papers, including thermal paper, inkjet paper, and carbonless paper, serving a variety of applications such as receipts, labels, and packaging.

Major companies operating in the thermal paper market are Ricoh Corporation, Oji Holdings Corporation, Appvion InCorporated, Jujo Thermal Limited, Lecta Group, Koehler Paper Group, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH, Hansol Europe BV, Gold HuaSheng Paper Company Limited, Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co. KG, Henan Province JiangHe Paper Company Limited, Thermal Solutions International Inc., Rotolificio BergamasCo. Srl, PM Company LLC, Nakagawa Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Siam Paper Co. Ltd., Nantong Xiujun Imp.& Exp.Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Youcheng New Materials Co. Ltd., Shanxi Oceano Paper Co. Ltd., Tianjin Jinlida Paper Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Guoli Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Xiandai Paper Co. Ltd., PapiCo. Ltd., Guofeng Fine Paper Co. Ltd., RP Paper Impex Pvt. Ltd., Apex Paper International Inc., Stellar Paper Products Private Limited, Daio Paper Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the thermal paper market in 2025. The regions covered in the thermal paper market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the thermal paper market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The thermal paper market consists of sales of conventional thermal paper and synthetic-base thermal papers. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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