Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) Board Market Report 2026

The solid bleached sulfate (sbs) board market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $8.92 billion in 2025 to $9.3 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of retail and consumer goods packaging, growth in food and beverage carton usage, increasing use of paperboard for branding, availability of virgin pulp resources, expansion of commercial printing applications.

The solid bleached sulfate (sbs) board market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.82 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable packaging materials, rising adoption of recyclable paperboard solutions, expansion of premium cosmetic packaging, growing investments in advanced coating technologies, increasing regulatory focus on plastic replacement. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for premium paperboard packaging, rising adoption of high-quality printing substrates, expansion of food-grade packaging applications, growing preference for rigid and stiff packaging boards, enhanced focus on surface smoothness and printability.

The packaging industry is expected to drive the growth of the solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board market in the coming years. This industry involves designing, manufacturing, and supplying materials used to enclose and protect products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. The rapid expansion of e-commerce has significantly increased demand for shipping and protective packaging, while consumer preferences for convenience and on-the-go products are fostering innovation in single-serve and portable packaging designs. SBS board supports the packaging industry by offering high printability and visual appeal, superior strength and durability, versatile applications, eco-friendly and recyclable properties, and enhanced barrier performance, making it an ideal choice for protecting and marketing a wide range of products. For example, in July 2025, the Qianzhan Industry Research Institute, a China-based research organization, reported that the number of large-scale enterprises in China’s packaging industry reached 19,000 in 2024, marking a 2.7% year-on-year increase according to the Packaging Federation. Consequently, the growth of the packaging industry is driving the expansion of the SBS board market.

Major companies in the solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board market are focusing on technological innovations, such as the development of uncoated SBS boards, to address the rising demand for premium, sustainable, and visually appealing packaging solutions in the luxury, food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods sectors. Uncoated SBS board development involves creating and improving solid bleached sulfate boards without surface coatings, aiming to deliver high-quality performance, aesthetics, and sustainability without additional treatments. For example, in November 2025, Stora Enso, a Finland-based renewable materials company, launched luxury paperboard packaging that enhances the perceived value of products such as cosmetics, fine alcohol, and high-end consumer goods. The packaging offers excellent printability and supports advanced finishing techniques such as embossing, foiling, and die-cutting. By using uncoated SBS boards, it provides a natural, tactile surface that enriches the sensory experience. Additionally, this luxury packaging is often sustainable and recyclable, aligning with consumer preferences and regulatory requirements.

In January 2024, Clearwater Paper Corporation, a U.S.-based provider of tissue products and bleached paperboard, acquired the Augusta Paperboard Manufacturing Facility from Graphic Packaging International LLC for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Clearwater Paper Corporation aims to expand its SBS paperboard production capacity and reinforce its position as a leading independent supplier in the North American market. Graphic Packaging International LLC is a U.S.-based producer of solid bleached sulfate (SBS) paperboard used in premium packaging applications.

Major companies operating in the solid bleached sulfate (sbs) board market are WestRock Company, International Paper Company, Stora Enso, Smurfit Kappa, Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK), Georgia-Pacific, ITC Limited, Sappi Limited, Billerud AB, Fedrigoni, JK Paper Ltd., Holmen Iggesund, Oji Fibre Solutions (NZ) Limited, PakFactory, Diamond Packaging, Newman & Company Inc., Lamitech Inc., Sandusky Packaging Corporation, Cascades Sonoco, Hammond Paper Company Limited.

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

The solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as high-quality packaging solutions for luxury goods, exceptional printing capabilities for vibrant designs, and strong structural integrity for product protection. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The solid bleached sulfate (sbs) board market also includes sales of packaging materials, board grades, and cartons. 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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