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Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)

ISIC 1702 August 2024 Spotlight Report

Revenue

€76.3bn

2019-2024 4.6 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

406k

2019-2024 1.4 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Businesses

11,572

2019-2024 1.8 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Wages

€XX.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry analysis

Europe's Paper and Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry is riding a wave of change driven by an rise in online retail sales and a deepening commitment to sustainability. As more consumers turn to e-commerce for their buying needs, the demand for paper packaging solutions has shot up, nudging the industry towards innovative and eco-friendly options. However, elevated energy prices throughout Europe and supply chain disruptions stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 tempered revenue expansion. Revenue is forecast to dip at a compound annual rate of 4.6% over the five years through 2024 to €76.3 billion, including an estimated slump of 3.3% in 2024, while the average industry profit margin is expected to reach 7%.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe key trends

Eco-friendly packaging is in high demand.

 

Driven by consumer and regulatory pressures, European markets are seeing a surge in innovation as paper manufacturers strive to develop recyclable and compostable materials.

Innovations boost paper packaging performance.

 

These new barrier technologies in paper and paperboard are a game-changer, particularly for the food and beverage industry, offering sustainable options that keep products fresh and competitive against plastics.

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Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe

Industry Revenue

Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.

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Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe market size (2019-2024)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 4.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €76.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Online retail sales provided opportunities for paper packaging in Europe

  • The dramatic boost in online shopping across Europe, fuelled by tech-savvy consumers and COVID-19, has significantly influenced the need for paper and paperboard packaging.

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Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Exploring innovative packaging solutions offers the potential to generate new revenue streams

  • New developments in barrier technologies are enhancing the performance of paper and paperboard packaging, especially in the food and beverage sector, where maintaining product freshness is crucial.

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Revenue

€76.3bn

2019-2024 4.6 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

406k

2019-2024 1.4 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Wages

€XX.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

European Leaders & Laggards

Europe Job Growth CAGR: 1.4 % *
  • Job Growth

Top 5 Countries

  1. Czechia +11.0%
  2. Bulgaria +10.1%
  3. Iceland +8.4%
  4. Serbia +7.2%
  5. Finland +5.4%

Bottom 5 Countries

  1. Turkey -3.0%
  2. Latvia -1.8%
  3. Estonia -1.2%
  4. Malta -1.0%
  5. Germany -0.5%

* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.

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Biggest companies in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Profit (€m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
DS Smith plc
10,145.0
1,024.5
10.1
Smurfit Kappa Group plc
13,234.5
1,574.4
11.9
Mondi plc
9,456.0
1,697.5
18.0

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Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe

Products & Services Segmentation

Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.

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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe in 2024?

The market size of the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe is €76.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry in 2024?

There are 11,572 businesses in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 4.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe is expected to grow.

What does the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe include?

Corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and cases and Non-corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and cases are part of the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry.

Which countries have the most businesses in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe?

The European country with the most businesses in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry is Russia.

How competitive is the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing industry in Europe.

Related Industries

This industry is covered in 37 countries

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Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The industry specialises in manufacturing durable corrugated paper and cardboard packaging materials. It also excels in creating versatile folding boxes crafted from high-quality cardboard. In addition, the industry offers a range of robust packaging solutions made from solid board materials designed to meet diverse packaging needs.

Related Terms

CORRUGATED CARDBOARDWOOD PULPPAPERBOARD

What's included in this industry?

Corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and casesNon-corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and casesCorrugated cardboard in rolls or sheetsPaper bags and sacks

Companies

DS Smith plcSmurfit Kappa Group plcMondi plc

Industry Code

ISIC 2006

1702 - Manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and of containers of paper and paperboard in Europe

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Performance

Key Takeaways

Online retail sales provided opportunities for paper packaging in Europe

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Revenue Highlights

Trends
  • Revenue
  • 2024 Revenue Growth
  • Revenue Volatility

Employment Highlights

Trends
  • Employees
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Employee

Business Highlights

Trends
  • Businesses
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Business

Profit Highlights

Trends
  • Total Profit
  • Profit Margin
  • Profit per Business

Current Performance

Charts
  • Revenue in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Employees in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Business in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Profit in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis

What's driving current industry performance in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry?


Outlook

Analysis

What's driving the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry outlook?


Volatility

Analysis

What influences volatility in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix

Life Cycle

Analysis

What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Life Cycle Matrix

Products and Markets

Highlights

Trends
  • Largest Market
  • Product Innovation

Key Takeaways

Corrugated box sales dip with online retail trends. Despite their proven strength in shipping and storage, these boxes are seeing a decrease in production, especially in Europe, where high energy costs are challenging the industry.

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Products and Services

Charts
  • Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis

How are the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry's products and services performing?

Analysis

What are innovations in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry's products and services?


Major Markets

Charts
  • Major Market Segmentation
Analysis

What influences demand in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry?


International Trade

Highlights

  • Largest Importer
  • Smallest Importer
  • Total Imports into Europe
  • Largest Exporter
  • Smallest Exporter
  • Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
  • Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
  • Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables

Value and annual change (%) included

  • Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)

Geographic Breakdown

Business Locations

Heat maps
  • Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)

Industry Geographic Breakdown

Data Tables

Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:

  • Revenue (2024)
  • IVA (2024)
  • Enterprises (2024)
  • Employment (2024)
  • Exports (2024)
  • Imports (2024)

Competitive Forces

Highlights

Trends
  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power

Key Takeaways

Innovation leads in paper packaging. Successful European paper and paperboard packaging manufacturers are gaining a competitive edge by focusing on innovative, sustainable solutions that meet evolving consumer and regulatory demands for eco-friendliness.

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Supply Chain

Charts

Buyer and supply industries

Companies

Market Share

Charts
  • Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)

Companies

Data Tables

Top 9 companies by market share:

  • Market share (2024)
  • Revenue (2024)
  • Profit (2024)
  • Profit Margin (2024)

Data Tables
  • Countries of operation for DS Smith plc
  • Countries of operation for Smurfit Kappa Group plc
  • Countries of operation for Mondi plc
  • Countries of operation for Stora Enso Oyj
  • Countries of operation for Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG
  • Countries of operation for UPM-Kymmene Corporation Oyj
  • Countries of operation for SA Industrias Celulosa Aragonesa
  • Countries of operation for Paper Mill Industries
  • Countries of operation for Carl Eichhorn Wellpappenwerke KG

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Europe tightens environmental packaging rules. In the paper and paperboard packaging sector, businesses now face stricter regulations to reduce waste and improve recycling rates—an essential shift to meet the EU's ambitious sustainability goals.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Profit in the industry varies due to scale and costs. Rising expenses and import competition have led to declining profitability for domestic manufacturers, impacting their ability to maintain consistent profit.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Paper & Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing in Europe industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and boottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2024)
  • Business Growth (2024)
  • Job Growth (2024)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2024)
  • Imports/Demand (2024)
  • Exports/Revenue (2024)
  • Revenue per Employee (2024)
  • Wages/Revenue (2024)
  • Employees per Establishment (2024)
  • Average Wage (2024)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.

To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.