Containerboard Market Report 2026

The containerboard market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $138.25 billion in 2025 to $143.66 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of corrugated packaging demand, growth in manufacturing and logistics activities, increased use of paper-based packaging, rising demand from food and beverage sector, wider availability of recycled paper feedstock.

The containerboard market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $165.19 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing emphasis on sustainable packaging solutions, rising e-commerce shipment volumes, expansion of smart packaging innovations, increasing investments in advanced paper mills, growing demand for high-performance containerboard. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of recycled fiber in containerboard production, rising demand for high-strength corrugated packaging, growing adoption of lightweight packaging solutions, expansion of containerboard applications in e-commerce, enhanced focus on packaging performance optimization.

The increasing demand for electronic items is expected to drive the growth of the containerboard market in the coming years. Electronic items include devices and equipment that function using electronic circuits and rely on controlled electrical currents to perform specific tasks. Consumption of electronic products is rising due to factors such as expanding digital connectivity, ongoing digital transformation, rapid growth of e-commerce, and rising demand from emerging economies. Containerboard is widely used in the electronics sector to provide durable and environmentally friendly packaging that protects products during transportation and handling. Its recyclable properties also align with sustainability initiatives within the electronics industry. For example, in May 2023, according to the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, a Japan-based trade organization, total consumer electronics production reached $204.75 million (¥32,099 million), up from $161.17 million (¥25,268 million) in May 2022. Therefore, rising demand for electronic products is contributing to the expansion of the containerboard market.

Companies operating in the containerboard market are increasingly focusing on the development of innovative solutions, such as recyclable containerboard products, to improve sustainability and comply with environmental regulations. Recyclable containerboard refers to paperboard materials that can be efficiently recycled and reused, reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainable packaging practices. For instance, in June 2024, Mondi, a UK-based packaging company, introduced ProVantage SmartKraft Brown and White to address a wide range of packaging needs while maintaining quality and performance. These new containerboard grades combine fresh and recycled fibers, featuring a fresh-fiber top layer that delivers superior strength, improved tunability, and excellent printability, along with an underlayer made entirely from recycled fiber to enhance environmental responsibility. This material combination ensures high performance while maintaining strong sustainability credentials.

In January 2023, Stora Enso Oyj, a Finland-based packaging company, acquired De Jong Verpakking B.V. for approximately $1.09 billion (€1.02 billion). This acquisition is intended to accelerate Stora Enso’s growth in renewable corrugated packaging and expand its footprint across the European market. By integrating De Jong Packaging Group, Stora Enso aims to strengthen its capabilities in fresh produce, e-commerce, and industrial packaging, while increasing its market share in key European regions. De Jong Verpakking B.V. is a Netherlands-based packaging company specializing in containerboard solutions.

Major companies operating in the containerboard market are International Paper and Power Corporation, WestRock Co., Georgia-Pacific Plywood & Lumber Company, Smurfit Kappa Group, Oji Holdings Corporation, Stora Enso Oyj, Mondi Group plc, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited, South African Pulp and Paper Industries Limited (SAPPI), Rengo Co.Ltd., Greif Inc., Klabin S.A., Cascades Inc., Lee and Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd., Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA), Cheng Loong Corp., Europac Group, Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited, Siam Kraft Industry Co. Ltd., Hamburger Containerboard, Sun Paper Co.

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

The containerboard market consists of sales of dual-use boards, high-performance containerboard, preprinted linerboards, and wax-free containerboard. 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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