Folding Cartons Market

Global Folding Cartons Market Overview

The folding cartons market size was valued at USD 170.08 billion in 2023. The folding cartons industry is projected to grow from USD 176.2 billion in 2024 to USD 250.56 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% during the forecast period (2024–2032). 

Folding cartons are made of paperboard that is cut, laminated, folded, and printed for the packaging of several types of products. These are highly preferred owing to their availability in different sizes and shapes as many brand owners make extra efforts to distinguish their product look at point-of-sale.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

The demand for folding cartons from the food and beverages industry is the primary factor influencing the folding cartons market growth. Growing demand for frozen goods, cigarettes, dry food, and other products supports market growth. Furthermore, folding cartons are made of paperboard at affordable prices. Folding cartons are also eco-friendly, which attracts manufacturers. However, there are many alternative options for sustainable packaging solutions with superior properties like PET, HDPE, LDPE, plastic, and others in the market, hamper the market growth.

According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, the market for organized packaged food was predicted to reach INR 780 million in 2020. As a result, increasing consumer awareness and India’s organized food segment will drive the folding cartons market growth.

Orlandi, an innovative packaging and sampling solutions company, in April 2024 has, unveiled a new product named EcoPro™ Paper-Wrap. This innovation is aimed at meeting the ever-increasing demand for sustainable packaging, and without using plastic, films, or foils, it is far ahead of other recyclable options for wrapping. EcoPro™ can be simply considered as a coated, high-barrier heat-sealable paper wrap that could be recycled to replace the typical plastic film or foil pouches, do boys, some packets/sachets, etc., while having lower costs than folding cartons. Its unique design ensures that there are no chances for oxygen, water vapor, and oil to spoil the products and keeps them fresh, clean, and properly contained.

COVID-19 Analysis

The unpredictable COVID-19 virus harmed the folding cartons market in 2020. Due to the pandemic, many areas have imposed social restrictions on people. These restrictions reduced the demand for several products and services, reducing the necessity for them to be packed and shipped. Therefore it had a global impact on the want for the folding cartons market. The global market has also lost investors, which has affected the supply chain. However, the folding carton Industry did not lose hope. The global market has employed more critical players as the e-commerce industry is booming, strengthening the folding cartons market. Hence, the global product is again growing up slowly and steadily.

Folding Cartons Market Dynamics

Market drivers

The increasing preferences for bio gradable packaging and the increased values for the products that are packed in biodegradable packaging are driving the folding cartons market trends. Moreover, the potential benefits of the folding cartons such as sustainability and availability of these folding cartons have propelled potential end-user applications to utilize the folding cartons, which are increasing the overall growth of the folding cartons industry.

The demand for lightweight cartons and the ones made of paperboards are gaining momentum in recent times to cut down on the shipment. Also, the rising environmental concerns across the globe are considered as the major drivers of folding cartons market.

Market opportunities

The manufacturers are intensively working and providing varied designs according to the demand of the end-user applications. Also, the manufacturers in the packaging industries are inclined towards producing packaging materials that offer excellent printability and rigidity, to integrate advanced tracking technologies such as RFID and others. As the folding cartons are excellent carriers of these tracking solutions, the growth of the folding cartons market growth is expected to have healthy growth during the forecast period.

The advancements in the folding cartons industry that brings in varied favorable qualities while providing enhanced aesthetic value and protection at affordable price point are presenting lucrative opportunities for the overall growth of the folding cartons industry. Moreover, the increasing demand for the e-commerce industry and subscription plans are also propelling the overall growth of the folding cartons industry.

Market restraints

The fluctuation in the price of the wood pulp and other raw materials required for the manufacturing of the folding cartons are considered as the major restraints of the folding cartons market growth.

The manufacturing facilities are facing challenges due to unexpected orders and frequent variations in the box quantity. The installation of the packaging equipment and the other key challenges are considered as the major restraints of folding cartons market.

Market challenges

The challenges in the Paperboard Packaging industry impact the overall growth of the folding cartons market. Paper is the crucial raw material for the production of folding cartons and thereby the decline in the production in the paper industry affects the folding carton market growth.

Shortages and poor infrastructure in developing countries are also considered as the major challenge for the overall growth of the folding carton industry.

Cumulative growth analysis

The market size of the folding cartons industry was at USD 128.28 billion in the year 2020 and it is expected to surpass the market value of over USD 1,34,801.20 million by the year 2030 while registering a CAGR of 4.70% during the forecast 2021-2030. The growth estimate is primarily due to the potential benefits of the folding cartons such as excellent printability, rigidity, flexibility, and significant others. Moreover, the enhanced adaptability of these folding cartons helps several end-user industries to change the size and design according to their application. Also, several countries are imposing bans on the usage of single plastic usage in the packaging industries. Such factors have increased the folding carton market demand. 

The advent of advanced tracking solutions in the packaging industries such as RFID, Embedded barcode, and others can be integrated with the folding cartons due to their excellent printability and rigidity. Therefore the several industries are increasingly adopting folding cartons. 

Value chain analysis

The growth of the folding cartons industry is highly influenced by the food industry as they are considered the major consumers of folding cartons. For several applications, the scrap papers are utilized and reprocessed, however for the food packaging; the higher grade and lighter strong sulfate board which are covered with plastic are acquired. The primary reason for the food industry to utilize the folding cartons for packaging is due to the better preservation of food and the life expectancy of the food is longer. 

Other beneficiary factors such as environmentally responsible packaging, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability are driving the folding cartons' market growth. Therefore the folding cartons are intensively used in consumer packaging, retails, and transporting medical and industrial products. Among other parts of the world, North America and Europe are considered as the leading consumers of folding cartons for the food industry. Also, several manufacturers are developing cardboards with specific grades with barrier coatings that are more suitable for food items. The coating processes in the packaging industries are crucial as they significantly reduce the overall material consumption. 

Folding Cartons Market Segmentation

Segment overview

Based on Type:

• Biopolymer

• Paper and Paperboard

• Plastic

• Others 

Based on End-User

• Food and Beverages

• Personal Care

• Healthcare

• Household

• Hardware & Electrical

• Others 

Based on Styles

• Standard Straight Tuck.

• Airplane Style Straight.

• Mailer Lock.

• Tuck and Tongue 

Based on Trends

• Internet of All Things

• Environmentally Friendly Packaging

• Improved Printing and Decorating Techniques 

Regional analysis

North America is currently holding the largest market share regarding the folding cartons industry, as the region is growing in demand for environmentally friendly packaging materials and increasingly adopting advanced technologies. 

On the other hand, the Asia-pacific region is also witnessing healthy growth in the folding cartons industry, among which China is considered as the major consumer of packaged goods because of the convenience and aesthetical value. Additionally, the consumers of China are more inclined towards packaged foods which are driving the overall growth of the folding cartons industry. Moreover, the affordable manufacturing costs across China are also presenting lucrative opportunities for folding cartons market growth. Moreover, the increasing demand for the convenient food and packaging industries and the products are driving the overall growth of the folding cartons market growth. 

The Asia-pacific region is considered as the major manufacturer of electronics and electrical equipment which also stimulates the growth of the folding carton industry. Moreover, the government organizations in the region have banned the usage of single-use plastic packaging, such factors have increased the utilization of sustainable packaging.

Folding Cartons Market Competitive Landscape

• Westrock Company

• PaperWorks

• Georgia-Pacific LLC

• KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp.

• Sonoco Products Company

• Graphic Packaging Holding Company

• Amcor Limited

• Schur Pack Germany GmbH

• Multi Packaging Solutions Inc.

• Rengo Co. Ltd.,  

RX India, which is RX Global’s Indian subsidiary, is set to organize the 10th edition of The India Corr Expo & India Folding Carton in September 2023; this will be one of India’s largest corrugated packaging & folding carton events. Since then, it has been held at Greater Noida’s India Expo Mart each year from 28th -30th September of every year, with accolades of being the most reliable congregation within its space. Over the past ten years, this amazing exhibition has become a vital platform for issues regarding carton makers, especially those who deal with corrugated packing materials. The event also brings together stakeholders from all over the world so that they can share ideas on how best things can be done in these sectors.

Yoplait SA (France-based dairy brand) launched the Yoplait en Brique yogurt line packaged in Elopak’s fiber-based sustainable Pure-Pak eSense cartons in February 2024. Thus, the entire move was initiated by increasing consumer needs when it comes to their purchases, i.e., packaging sustainability. The shift by Yoplait to fiber-based packaging is a step towards the sustainable ultra-fresh category. At 750g and comprised of up to 78% renewable materials, the Pure-Pak eSense carton with tethered caps chosen by Yoplait weighs as much as six traditional yogurt cups. Consequently, this alternative implies that plastic used for packaging is cut in half when it comes to the case of standard six packs of yogurts weighing 125g each from Yoplait. Also included are tethered caps, which mean they will not end up in litter and can also be closed again, thereby protecting contents from spoiling or drying.

Recent Developments

• In April 2022, WestRock Company joined Recipe Unlimited to implement a suite of recyclable paperboard packaging, aiming to divert 31 million plastic containers from landfills across Canada annually.

• In March 2022, Stora Enso Oyj unveiled the CarrEco Brown bag of 100% original fibers. The material has high strength and tear-resistant properties and is safe from contact with natural food.

Report overview:

This report has covered:

• Market overview

• COVID 19 Analysis

• Market dynamics

• Cumulative growth analysis

• Value chain analysis

• Segment overview

• Regional analysis

• Competitive landscape

• Recent developments

Folding Cartons Market Segmentation Table:

Based on Type: 

• Biopolymer

• Paper and Paperboard

• Plastic

• Others 

Based on End-User:

• Food and Beverages

• Personal Care

• Healthcare

• Household

• Hardware & Electrical

• Others 

Based on Styles:

• Standard Straight Tuck.

• Airplane Style Straight.

• Mailer Lock.

• Tuck and Tongue 

Based on Trends:

• Internet of All Things

• Environmentally Friendly Packaging

• Improved Printing and Decorating Techniques