Flexible Paper Packaging Market Report 2026

The flexible paper packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $69.59 billion in 2025 to $73.71 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in packaged food consumption, expansion of retail and e-commerce packaging demand, increasing adoption of paper over plastic materials, advancements in paper coating technologies, rising focus on cost-efficient packaging solutions.

The flexible paper packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $91.28 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for recyclable packaging formats, increasing regulatory pressure on plastic reduction, expansion of smart and functional paper packaging, rising investments in sustainable packaging infrastructure, increasing customization in flexible packaging design. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of paper-based sustainable packaging, rising demand for lightweight flexible packaging formats, growing use of digital and custom printing technologies, expansion of food-grade flexible paper solutions, enhanced focus on shelf-life optimization.

The growing demand for processed food is expected to drive the expansion of the flexible paper packaging market in the coming years. Processed food refers to food products that undergo mechanical or chemical processing to preserve them or modify their characteristics. These products are commonly packaged in boxes or bags and typically contain multiple ingredients. Flexible paper packaging is widely used to enclose processed food items, helping protect them from tampering and contamination caused by physical, chemical, or biological factors while maintaining product freshness and safety. For example, in April 2024, according to data published by the National Association of Convenience Stores, a US-based trade association, total convenience industry sales reached $859.8 billion in 2023. In-store sales accounted for $327.6 billion, with the average basket size increasing by 3.7% to $7.80, while foodservice sales represented 26.9% of in-store sales, reflecting a 1.3 percentage point increase compared with the previous year. Therefore, the rising demand for processed food is contributing to the growth of the flexible paper packaging market.

Companies operating in the flexible paper packaging market are increasingly adopting new technologies, such as mono-material packaging solutions, to maintain their competitive position. Mono-material technology represents an innovative and sustainable approach to flexible packaging that enhances recyclability without compromising product protection or cost efficiency. For instance, in May 2023, Huhtamäki Oyj, a Finland-based food packaging specialist, developed an advanced mono-material technology for flexible packaging applications. This solution offers three material options - paper, polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) retort - with mono-material content reaching up to 95% for PE and at least 90% for paper and PP. The technology ensures strong protective barriers, recyclability, and affordability, delivering reliable packaging solutions for food products and household essentials while supporting sustainability goals.

In June 2024, Coveris Holdings S.A., an Austria-based manufacturing company, acquired HADEPOL FLEXO Sp. z o.o. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Coveris aimed to strengthen its flexible packaging capabilities and expand its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly by enhancing its offerings for bakery and confectionery customers. HADEPOL FLEXO Sp. z o.o. is a Poland-based manufacturer specializing in flexible paper and film-based packaging solutions for bakeries, supermarkets, and confectionery products.

Major companies operating in the flexible paper packaging market are Mondi PLC, Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, Stora Enso Oyj, DS Smith PLC, WestRock Company, Graphic Packaging International Corporation, Huhtamaki Oyj, Sonoco Products Company, Sappi Limited, Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj, Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd, Oji Holdings Corporation, International Paper Company, Packaging Corporation of America, Mayr Melnhof Karton AG, Metsa Board Oyj, Lecta Group, Koehler Paper Group, Billerud AB, Asia Pulp and Paper Group.

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

The flexible paper packaging market consists of sales of coated kraft paper, uncoated kraft paper, sack kraft paper, gift wraps. 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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