Coated Paper Market Report 2026

The coated paper market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $46.01 billion in 2025 to $48.55 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of commercial printing activities, expansion of publishing and advertising industries, increasing demand for premium print quality, availability of advanced coating materials, growth of packaging applications.

The coated paper market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $59.46 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing focus on sustainable paper solutions, expansion of eco-friendly packaging demand, increasing adoption of digital printing technologies, rising investments in lightweight coated paper, innovation in biodegradable coating materials. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for high-quality print finishes, rising adoption of coated paper in packaging applications, growing use of matte and specialty coated papers, expansion of digital printing compatible coated papers, enhanced focus on recyclable coating materials.

The rise of e-commerce platforms is expected to drive growth in the coated paper market going forward. E-commerce platforms are software applications that facilitate online buying and selling of products and services. The increasing popularity of smartphones, easy and cost-effective access to technology, and the flexibility of purchasing from anywhere have boosted online retail sales, thereby increasing demand for coated paper in product packaging. Coated papers are made from paper or paperboard with a plastic layer or surface treatment, reducing the risk of product damage during handling and shipping. For instance, in July 2025, according to the International Institute for Sustainable, a Canada-based non-profit think tank, the global B2C e-commerce market size reached $5.47 trillion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 19% from 2024 to 2030. Therefore, the growth of e-commerce platforms is supporting the coated paper market.

Leading companies in the coated paper market are focusing on innovative solutions such as ternary nanocomposite coatings to enhance barrier properties, improve sustainability, and reduce reliance on conventional plastics. Ternary nanocomposite coatings combine a polymer matrix with two additional components, such as nanoparticles and other fillers, to achieve superior performance. For instance, in July 2024, Smart Planet Technologies, a US-based provider of environmental composite materials for the packaging industry, launched HyperBarrier, a coating designed for paper-based flexible packaging. HyperBarrier addresses challenges in barrier performance, recyclability, and cost, supporting the transition from plastic to paper packaging.

In November 2025, TIPA Corp Ltd., a global provider of compostable flexible packaging solutions, acquired SEALPAP B.V. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables TIPA to expand its sustainable packaging portfolio by integrating SEALPAP’s recyclable paper-based packaging technologies, offering brands a wider selection of compostable or recyclable packaging formats and extending its presence in Europe and North America. SEALPAP B.V. is a Netherlands-based provider of coated, recyclable paper-based packaging solutions for food and consumer goods companies.

Major companies operating in the coated paper market are Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd, Oji Holdings Corporation, Stora Enso Oyj, Sappi Limited, UPM Kymmene Corporation, Asia Pulp and Paper Sinar Mas, Burgo Group SpA, Lecta Group, Domtar Corporation, Resolute Forest Products, Verso Corporation, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited, Lee and Man Paper Manufacturing Limited, Chenming Group, Shandong Sun Paper Industry Joint Stock Co Ltd, JK Paper Limited, Emami Paper Mills Limited, WestRock Company, International Paper Company.

North America was the largest region in the coated paper market in 2025. The regions covered in the coated 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 coated paper market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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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