Europe Corrugated Box Market Size 2024-2028

The Europe Corrugated Box Market size is estimated to grow by USD 5.3 billion at a CAGR of 4.92% between 2023 and 2028. Market expansion relies on multiple factors, including the rising demand for corrugated boxes within the e-commerce sector, escalating demand for processed and packaged foods, and the growing utilization of corrugated boxes in organized retail. They are increasingly indispensable in the e-commerce realm, facilitating secure and efficient product shipping. Simultaneously, the heightened demand for processed and packaged foods necessitates reliable packaging solutions, further driving the adoption. Additionally, their usage is on the rise in organized retail, where efficient storage and transportation are essential. These trends underscore the pivotal role across various industries, aligning with evolving consumer preferences and market dynamics to foster sustained growth and innovation. It also includes an in-depth analysis of drivers, trends, and challenges. Furthermore, the report includes historic market data from 2018 - 2022.

What will be the size of the Market?

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Market Segmentation

By End-user

The food and beverages segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The corrugated packaging market in Europe experiences substantial growth, particularly in the foodstuffs and beverages sectors. Die-cut solutions, such as Full Telescope Boxes and Partial Telescope Boxes, are popular choices for packaging agricultural produce and fresh food. Corrugated Tray and Corrugated Corner Pads ensure optimal protection during transportation. Corrugated Board Converters produce various types of corrugated boxes, catering to the demands of diverse industries, including FMCG, textile, electronics and appliances, and pharmaceutical. 

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The food and beverages segment was the largest segment and was valued at USD 7.84 billion in 2018. The foodstuffs segment and agriculture segment account for a significant market share, with the beverage segment following closely. B-Flute, BC-Flute, C-Flute, E-Flute, Micro-Flute, and other flute profiles are used extensively in the production of corrugated packaging for various applications. Kraft paper market players also contribute to the growth of the corrugated packaging industry in Europe. E-commerce merchants increasingly rely on slotted containers for efficient product handling and distribution. The foodstuffs segment, agriculture segment, and beverage segment are major consumers of corrugated packaging. Dunapack Packaging and Palm Verpackungs gruppe are key players in the European corrugated packaging market. Containerboard, green packaging, and recyclable products are essential components of the European corrugated packaging industry. Fresh fruit packaging and vegetable packaging are significant applications of corrugated boxes in the food industry. Consumer durables, metals, agro-foods, textiles, plastics, and pharmaceuticals are other industries that utilize corrugated packaging extensively.  The major effect of such developments will be a change in package size at supermarkets, which, in turn, will increase the demand for corrugated boxes, thereby driving the growth of the market in this segment during the forecast period.

By Material 

Based on material, the market has been segmented into recycled corrugates and virgin corrugates. The recycled corrugates segment will account for the largest share of this segment.? In Europe, the market is witnessing significant growth in the segment of recycled corrugated products. These eco-friendly boxes are manufactured using reclaimed paper and cardboard materials, derived from post-consumer and post-industrial waste. By recycling these materials, the demand for new resources is decreased, thereby conserving trees, energy, and minimizing pollution. Recycled corrugated boxes are particularly popular in industries such as Electricals and Electronics, processed foods, fruits and vegetables, personal care, healthcare, household care, chemicals, paper products, and electrical goods. These boxes come in various forms, including kraft liners, test liners, chip linear, double wallboard, triple wallboard, linerboard, slotted boxes, telescopes, trays, die cut bliss, and die cut interiors. They are available in sheets, fanfold, white-top kraftliner, unbleached kraftliner, white-top testliner, and unbleached testliner. Recycled corrugated boxes are also used in waste-based fluting, semi-chemical fluting, and various logistics applications. Moreover, recycled corrugated boxes are gaining traction in the e-commerce industry and the transportation of electronic goods, glassware and ceramics, tobacco, vehicle parts, and other sensitive items. The use of these boxes not only ensures the protection of goods but also aligns with the region's commitment to environmental responsibility. The recycled label or symbol on these boxes signifies their eco-friendly nature, appealing to eco-conscious consumers. Thus, the increasing focus on using sustainable products in packaging will drive the growth of this segment in the market in focus during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics

The market is a significant sector, encompassing various product offerings such as Die-Cut Boxes, Full Telescope Boxes, and Partial Telescope Boxes. This market caters to diverse industries, including Foodstuffs, Agricultural Produce, Fresh Food, Beverages, and Consumer Durables, among others. Corrugated Board Converters produce Corrugated Trays and utilize Corrugated Corner Pads for added protection. The market incorporates various flute types, including B Flute, BC Flute, and E Flute, to cater to the demands of the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. Recycled corrugated products, such as kraft liners and test liners, are increasingly popular due to their sustainability benefits. The market also offers chip linear, double wallboard, and triple wallboard for enhanced protection. The market is driven by the growing demand for packaging solutions in various industries. The use of corrugated board in Fresh Fruit Packaging and Vegetable Packaging is particularly noteworthy, as it ensures the preservation of perishable goods. The Electricals and Electronics sector also contributes significantly to the market's growth. Our researchers analyzed the data with 2023 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

Key Market Driver

The increasing use of corrugated boxes in the organized retail sector is notably driving market growth. Organized retailing, also known as modern retailing, is a store where a licensed retailer sells various goods of different categories under one roof. These goods are packaged in materials that preserve them as well as help retain the nutritional value of the food. In addition, there is an increased demand for eco-friendly packaging materials from consumers, and the organized retail sector plays a significant role in providing it in the form of corrugated boxes for packaging. Europe is the largest market for frozen fruits and vegetables in the world and accounts for around 50% of global imports.

Moreover, the UK, Germany, Belgium, and France are some of the leading importing countries for frozen fruits and vegetables in Europe. The number of consumers purchasing grocery items, such as chilled and frozen foods, from organized retail stores has increased in Europe. These items are generally packed in paperboard containers. Therefore, the demand for corrugated boxes in Europe is expected to grow at a steady rate through organized retail channels during the forecast period.

Significant Market Trends

Incorporation of innovative lightweight materials in corrugated boxes is a significant challenge hindering the market growth. Lightweight corrugated boxes have a base weight of less than 27 lbs/thousand square feet. Their manufacturing involves a different corrugating process than regular corrugated boxes. Fibers are tightly held together in lightweight corrugated boxes, which results in higher fiber content and reduced weight. This indicates that the corrugated boxes will be of the same or greater strength but lighter in weight. The weight is expected to be reduced further in future years.

Moreover, companies are providing lightweight and high-performance container boxes to reduce cost, improve performance, and promote sustainability, which can positively impact market growth. Lightweight corrugated boxes are mainly used in Western Europe. Therefore, an increase in sustainable lightweight corrugated box manufacturing will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Major Market Challenge

The rise in the cost of raw materials used to produce corrugated boxes is a significant challenge hindering market growth. In Europe, the market experiences fluctuating prices due to the dynamic demand and supply conditions for key raw materials, particularly paper pulp. The widening disparity between supply and demand over the past five years has significantly boosted the cost of paper pulp. This increase is attributed to the rising prices of wood, the primary source of paper pulp, which have escalated by over 10% since 2014. Kraft paper, which constitutes over 70% of the total input cost in corrugated box manufacturing, has also seen a price hike of more than 12% since 2013.

E-commerce merchants have been a significant driving force in the European market, particularly in the Foodstuffs segment and the Agriculture segment, which account for a substantial share of the market. The Beverage segment also experiences high demand for corrugated boxes due to their lightweight and protective properties. Green packaging and recyclable products have gained popularity in Europe, with various industries adopting sustainable practices. Fresh Fruit Packaging and Vegetable Packaging are key applications of corrugated boxes in the Agro-foods sector. Consumer Durables, Pharmaceutical, Metals, and Plastics industries also rely on corrugated boxes for their packaging needs. Containerboard, a critical component of corrugated boxes, is produced using various flute types, including B-Flute, BC-Flute, C-Flute, E-Flute, and Micro-Flute, to cater to diverse industry requirements.   Also, the bargaining power of raw material suppliers is moderate, which may hinder the growth of the market in Europe during the forecast period.

Who are the Major Market Companies?

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.

Bio Pappel SAB de - The company offers corrugated boxes made up of bio degradable paper.

The research report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about 15 market companies, including:

Bio Pappel SAB de CV, Buckeye Corrugated Inc., DS Smith Plc, International Paper Co., Josef Schulte GmbH, Koch Industries Inc., MODEL HOLDING AG, Mondi Plc, Nampak Ltd., PRINZHORN HOLDING GmbH, Rengo Co. Ltd., ROSSMANN SAS, S.A Industrias Celulosa Aragonesa, Smurfit Kappa Group, Sonoco Products Co., Stephen Gould Corp., Stora Enso Oyj, Tetra Laval SA, VPK Group, and WestRock Co.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Key Market Customer Landscape

The market research report encompasses the entire market adoption cycle, ranging from the initial innovator phase to the subsequent laggard stage. It emphasizes adoption rates across various regions, determined by penetration levels. Additionally, the report outlines essential purchasing factors and factors influencing price sensitivity. This aids companies in assessing and formulating effective growth strategies.

Global Market Customer Landscape

Segment Overview

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD Billion" for the period 2024 to 2028, as well as historical data from 2018 to 2022 for the following segments 

• End-user Outlook 
  • Food and beverages
  • Electronic goods
  • Personal and household care goods
  • Glassware products and others

• Material Outlook
  • Recycled corrugates
  • Virgin corrugates

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Market Analyst Overview

In Europe, the market experiences fluctuating prices due to the dynamic demand and supply conditions for key raw materials, particularly paper pulp. The widening disparity between supply and demand over the past five years has significantly boosted the cost of paper pulp. This increase is attributed to the rising prices of wood, the primary source of paper pulp, which have escalated by over 10% since 2014. Kraft paper, which constitutes over 70% of the total input cost in corrugated box manufacturing, has also seen a price hike of more than 12% since 2013. Various corrugated box styles, such as Die-Cut, Full Telescope Box, Partial Telescope Box, Corrugated Trays, and Corrugated Corner Pads, are extensively used in Europe for transporting diverse commodities, including Foodstuffs, Agricultural Produce, Fresh Food, Beverages, and various industries like Textile, Electronics and Appliances.

Furthermore, the market plays a crucial role in the corrugated box industry, with key players like Dunapack Packaging and Palm Verpackungs gruppe contributing significantly. The prices of B Flute, BC Flute, C-Flute, E-Flute, and Micro-Flute, which are commonly used in corrugated boxes, have also risen due to the increasing costs of raw materials. E-commerce merchants have been a significant driving force in the market, particularly in the Foodstuffs segment and the Agriculture segment, which account for a substantial share of the market. The Beverage segment also experiences high demand for corrugated boxes due to their lightweight and protective properties. Green packaging and recyclable products have gained popularity in Europe, with various industries adopting sustainable practices.
 

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What are the Key Data Covered in this Market Forecast Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the market growth and forecasting of the market between 2024 and 2028
• Precise estimation of the market size and its contribution to the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming market trends and analysis and changes in consumer behavior
• Growth of the market across Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa
• Thorough market growth analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive market analysis and report on the factors that will challenge the market research and growth of market companies

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