Europe's Corrugated Paper Market to See Slow but Steady Growth with +1.1% CAGR by 2035 - News and Statistics - IndexBox

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IndexBox has just published a new report: Europe - Cartons, Boxes And Cases Of Corrugated Paper Or Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

Driven by increasing demand, the European market for corrugated paper products is expected to grow at a CAGR of +1.1% in volume and +2.1% in value from 2024 to 2035. Despite a forecasted deceleration in market performance, the industry is predicted to continue its upward consumption trend.

Driven by increasing demand for cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard in Europe, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 38M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $71.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Corrugated paper box consumption amounted to 34M tons in 2024, surging by 1.8% on the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 8% against the previous year. The volume of consumption peaked at 34M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The value of the corrugated paper box market in Europe expanded to $57.1B in 2024, with an increase of 1.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The total consumption indicated a moderate increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +63.5% against 2015 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Italy (5.3M tons), Germany (5M tons) and Spain (3.9M tons), with a combined 42% share of total consumption. Russia, the UK, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +8.4%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper box markets in Europe were Italy ($8.7B), Germany ($8.3B) and Spain ($6.4B), with a combined 41% share of the total market. The UK, France, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +7.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of corrugated paper box per capita consumption in 2024 were Italy (89 kg per person), Spain (82 kg per person) and Switzerland (79 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +8.4%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, approx. 34M tons of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard were produced in Europe; remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 9.5% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked at 34M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box production rose slightly to $57.3B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production increased by +61.9% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Italy (5.5M tons), Germany (5.3M tons) and Spain (4M tons), with a combined 44% share of total production. Russia, the UK, Poland, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +8.6%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, supplies from abroad of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard decreased by -18.8% to 2.7M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after ten years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at 3.9M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box imports shrank remarkably to $4.4B in 2024. Total imports indicated modest growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -28.3% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 26%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $6.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In 2024, the Netherlands (686K tons) was the major importer of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard, creating 25% of total imports. Germany (261K tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by France (247K tons), Belgium (164K tons) and Switzerland (135K tons). All these countries together took approx. 30% share of total imports. The Czech Republic (114K tons), Ireland (103K tons), the UK (96K tons), Slovakia (79K tons) and Sweden (77K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the Netherlands increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Ireland (+7.4%), Sweden (+3.0%), Switzerland (+2.2%) and the Czech Republic (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ireland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +7.4% from 2013-2024. Belgium, Slovakia, Germany and the UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-1.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of the Netherlands and Ireland increased by +8.3 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($649M), France ($429M) and Germany ($414M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together comprising 34% of total imports. The UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Ireland, with a CAGR of +6.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The import price in Europe stood at $1,615 per ton in 2024, declining by -4% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 22%. The level of import peaked at $1,682 per ton in 2023, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($3,474 per ton), while the Netherlands ($946 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, overseas shipments of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard decreased by -22.4% to 2.7M tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 16%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 4.3M tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box exports reduced notably to $4.4B in 2024. Total exports indicated slight growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -29.6% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 30%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $6.3B. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In 2024, Germany (558K tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (326K tons), Poland (281K tons), Italy (221K tons), Spain (193K tons), Austria (163K tons), the Czech Republic (156K tons) and Belgium (130K tons) were the main exporters of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard, together making up 76% of total exports. The following exporters - the UK (79K tons) and France (73K tons) - each amounted to a 5.7% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +8.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper box supplying countries in Europe were Germany ($933M), Poland ($483M) and Italy ($379M), with a combined 41% share of total exports. Spain, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Among the main exporting countries, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +8.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The export price in Europe stood at $1,649 per ton in 2024, shrinking by -1.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $1,678 per ton in 2023, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($2,510 per ton), while the Netherlands ($865 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the corrugated paper box market in Europe. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

A Quick Overview of Market Performance

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

The Largest Import Supplying Countries

The Largest Destinations for Exports

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

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