Coated Paper Market Report 2025

The coated paper market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $44.25 billion in 2024 to $46.42 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to printing industry growth, packaging requirements, consumer preferences for quality, advertising and marketing needs, environmental concerns and regulations.

The coated paper market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $57.79 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainability and eco-friendly solutions, rise in publishing sector, consumer demand for aesthetics, brand differentiation and marketing strategies, global expansion and industrial growth. Major trends in the forecast period include demand for high-quality print, biodegradability and recyclability, focus on food safety, premium branding, customization and personalization.

The proliferation of e-commerce platforms is anticipated to be a significant driver for the coated paper market in the future. E-commerce platforms, which facilitate online buying and selling of products and services, have witnessed a surge in popularity. The widespread use of smartphones, coupled with easy and cost-effective access to technology, has contributed to the growth of online retail sales. This surge in e-commerce activities has, in turn, fueled the demand for coated paper in product packaging. Coated papers, featuring a laminated composite material with a plastic layer or treatment on the surface, play a crucial role in reducing the risk of damage to goods during transit. As of August 2022, retail e-commerce sales in the United States for the second quarter of 2022 reached $257.3 billion, reflecting a 2.7% increase from the first quarter of the same year, as reported by the US Census Bureau-Department of Commerce.

The rising demand in the printing industry is expected to drive the growth of the coated paper market in the future. The printing industry includes businesses and activities focused on reproducing text and images on various substrates, such as paper, cardboard, fabric, and more. Coated paper provides several advantages in this sector, including high print quality, sharp image detail, text clarity, reduced ink absorption, and improved versatility and durability. For example, in November 2023, IBISWorld, a U.S.-based industry research company, estimated the value of the U.S. printing industry to be approximately $85 billion. Therefore, the increasing demand from the printing industry is fueling the growth of the coated paper market.

Major companies in the coated paper market are focusing on developing innovative ternary nanocomposite coatings to enhance barrier properties, improve sustainability, and decrease dependence on conventional plastic coatings. A ternary nanocomposite coating is an advanced coating that integrates three distinct components, typically consisting of a polymer matrix combined with two additional materials, which may include nanoparticles and other fillers. For example, in July 2024, Smart Planet Technologies, a U.S.-based company specializing in environmental composite materials for the packaging industry, launched HyperBarrier, a cutting-edge coating specifically designed for paper-based flexible packaging. This new product aims to facilitate the shift from plastic to paper packaging by addressing critical challenges related to barrier performance, recyclability, and cost.

Major companies in the coated paper market are concentrating on innovative technologies, such as sustainable coated paper technology, to drive revenue growth in the sector. Sustainable coated paper technology involves the use of eco-friendly and bio-renewable materials for coating paper, enhancing its performance while maintaining environmental sustainability. For example, in March 2023, BiOrigin Specialty Products, a U.S.-based company specializing in sustainable packaging solutions, made significant advancements in their coated paper technology aimed at reducing plastic usage in packaging. This innovative platform utilizes bio-based coatings that are fluorocarbon-free, PFAS-free, and chromium-free, complying with eco-friendly standards for renewability, recyclability, and compostability. The technology is applied in specialty paper and packaging, providing a safe and functional environmentally friendly alternative for food and consumer goods packaging. BiOrigin's ongoing innovations underscore the growing industry trend towards sustainable packaging solutions in response to environmental concerns.

In a significant move, BillerudKorsnäs, a Sweden-based pulp and paper manufacturer, executed the acquisition of Verso for $825 million in April 2022. This strategic acquisition aligns with BillerudKorsnäs' overarching goal of driving profitable and sustainable growth, particularly aiming to accelerate its expansion in North America. Verso Corporation, the acquired entity, is a US-based producer known for coated papers, including coated groundwood, coated freesheet, and specialty products. This acquisition is anticipated to contribute to BillerudKorsnäs' growth strategy and strengthen its position in the market.

Major companies operating in the coated paper market are Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corporation, Stora Enso Oyj, Sappi Limited, Asia Pulp and Paper Sinar Mas, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, NewPage Corporation, Arjowiggins SAS, Burgo Group S.p.A., Paradise Packaging Private Limited, JK Paper Limited, Shree Krishna Paper Mills & Industries Limited, Emami Paper Mill Limited, Dunn Paper Company, International Paper Company, Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, Mondi PLC, Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj, Avery Dennison Corporation, Lintec Corporation, Nissha Printing Co. Ltd., Toppan Printing Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the coated paper market in 2024. The regions covered in the coated paper market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the coated paper market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Coated paper refers to a type of paper that undergoes a process of adding a layer of gloss, semi-gloss, or matte finish to enhance its surface properties. This involves applying agents, including chemical additives like resins and dispersants, to the paper surface, resulting in improved attributes such as brightness, smoothness, and other printing properties. The coating process involves adding an extra layer to the paper, reducing its porosity.

The main types of coated paper include coated fine, standard coated fine, and coated groundwood. Coated fine paper is utilized for writing, packaging, and printing, especially in offset printing. It consists of a fibrous layer with at least one coating. The coating materials employed include kaolin clay, precipitated calcium carbonate, and ground calcium carbonate, offering finishes such as matte, gloss, and semi-gloss. Coated paper finds applications in various industries, including printing, packaging, and labeling.

The coated paper market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides coated paper market statistics, including coated paper industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a coated paper market share, detailed coated paper market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the coated paper industry. This coated paper market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The coated paper market consists of sales of chemical pulp, pigments, bentonite, and talc. 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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