Containerboard Market Outlook 2030
This report (Summer 2025) is now available (see Table of Contents) and is being offered with a FREE 12-month subscription to the Containerboard Monitor.
EMGE’s “World Containerboard Market Outlook 2030” report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global containerboard industry, offering insights into its current landscape and future projections over the next five years. With sustainability taking center stage in packaging, the report covers pivotal market forces, such as the surging demand for regenerative materials and the expansion of e-commerce, which are shaping production and consumption trends.
What can you expect from this Containerboard Market Outlook report?
Covering a detailed 5-year outlook through to 2030 including:
- Market Overview: Including detailed insights into demand, trade activities, production output, mill capacity and operating rates for the Containerboard market sector.
- Regional Insights: Showcasing regional trends and growth opportunities in areas including North America, Eastern and Western Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa,.
- Historical Details: Data by country for 2024, including demand, trade, output, capacity and operating rates. Historical charts spanning 25 years showing containerboard industry trends.
- Manufacturer Rankings: Details of top producers, ranked by their production capacity.
- Global Directory: Listings of the latest machines and mills across the globe.
- Industry Trends: Analysis of demand factors, challenges, and emerging opportunities within the industry, including shifts towards sustainable packaging, technological breakthroughs, and the influence of regulatory changes.
- Market Segments: Clear segmentation of the containerboard market by product type and geography, allowing stakeholders to identify specific opportunities and areas for investment.
- Industry Data & Insights: Including a wealth of industry-related data
Containerboard Market Forecast (2025 to 2030)
Over the next 5 years, market forecasts predict significant growth, driven by changing consumer preferences and an increased focus on environmental issues. The global rise in ecommerce continues to drive growth in this area, with government regulation and companies pushing ahead with sustainability, further supporting the growth in the containerboard market.
This report provides a detailed and insightful analysis of the global containerboard industry, highlighting current trends, challenges and growth prospects. The report will inform stakeholders and help them make informed decisions based on comprehensive market intelligence on the containerboard marketplace. A separate report is available for the cartonboard market sector.
- Containerboard Market Trends 2025: The past year was defined by stark regional variations in supply dynamics. While North American mills focused on tightening supply through significant capacity removal, China continued its aggressive expansion plans, reshaping global trade balances. Despite global operating rates hovering in the low 80%s, containerboard prices saw their first increase of the year in Q2, signalling a potential turning point for mill profitability.
- Containerboard Market Outlook 2026: Moving into 2026, we forecast the sector will stabilise with stronger performance expected across packaging grades. A key focus will be the impact of new legislation, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), on material sourcing and pricing. The market will also continue to adjust to the changes in production trends between Western markets and Asia, with specific attention on how mill operating rates respond to stabilising demand.
- Containerboard Market Forecast 2027 – 2030: Long-term projections indicate a robust trajectory for Kraftliner and recycled containerboard grades, fuelled by persistent demand from the online retail sector. By 2030, the transition away from single-use plastics will further solidify containerboard’s position as the leading sustainable packaging material. Stakeholders can also utilise our 25-year historical trend charts to view the long-term context of these changing industry trends.
The report is a crucial resource for any team navigating the complexities of the containerboard marketplace and essential for helping develop strategies in this market area. Download the report below.
About EMGE Paper Consultants
With a team of experts who have worked in this industry collectively for over 150 years, EMGE can be trusted to provide the best market intelligence in cartonboard, containerboard, and the paper and pulp markets. They have earned an enviable reputation for providing accurate historical and forecast statistical data, backed up by thoroughly researched market trend analysis.
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