Folding Carton Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

The global folding carton market size stood at a value of around USD 168.03 Billion in 2024. The market is further expected to grow in the forecast period of 2025-2034 at a CAGR of 4.90% to reach USD 271.11 Billion by 2034.

Increasing Utilisation of Paper and Paperboard Folding Cartons by Retailers and Manufacturers is Driving Market

The increasing utilisation of paper and paperboard folding cartons by retailers and product manufacturers is driving the segment’s growth. This type of folding carton can be effectively stored, stacked, and viewed easily on retail shelves. In addition, folding cartons are recyclable and eco-friendly, which enhances the long-term value of the product without hampering the quality of environment.

Over the forecast period, there is an anticipated increase in demand for thick paperboard folding cartons from product manufacturers. This is owing to the versatility of paperboards enabling high-strength packaging, rigid folding of cartons, and packaging of furniture components, among others, and is likely to boost the growth of this segment. The folding carton market is likely to be positively navigated by the enhanced creative innovation and imaging possibilities which is bolstering the success of packaging in retail stores, and supermarkets, among others.

The Asia Pacific Region Leads with a Strong Position in the Market for Folding Cartons

The market in the Asia Pacific region is being driven by the rising demand for personal care and food and beverage products owing to the high populations in emerging economies such as India and China. In addition, the increasing popularity of ready-to-eat food products in the region is furthering the demand for folding cartons.

The increasing adoption of folding cartons by enterprises to achieve sustainable packaging in order to enhance profitability and to improve financial performance is anticipated to propel the market growth in coming years.

Also, countries like India are the largest consumers of tobacco and its downstream products. Over the forecast period, this factor is likely to accelerate the demand for paper and paperboard folding cartons. The folding carton market in the region is also anticipated to be aided by the stringent government regulations aimed towards encouraging the use of eco-friendly cartons and boxes in the packaging industry.

Market Segmentation

A folding carton is defined as a container which is used to package an item or product. Folding cartons are flexible and offer the necessary strength which holds the contents together without getting damaged. Depending on the nature of product being packaged, folding cartons must go through numerous structural engineering and quality control procedures.

Based on type, the market can be segmented into:

• Paper and Paperboard
• Biopolymer
• Plastics
• Others

By structure, the market has been divided into:

• Full Seal End
• Straight Tuck End
• Reverse Tuck End
• Double Glued Sidewall
• Tuck Top Auto-Bottom
• Others

The folding carton market can be broadly categorised based on wall construction into:

• Single-Wall Corrugated Sheet
• Double-Wall Corrugated Packaging
• Triple-Wall Corrugated Packaging

Based on order, the market has been segmented into:

• Standard
• Customised

The significant end uses of the product include:

• Tobacco
• Healthcare
• Personal Care
• Food and Beverages
• E-commerce
• Hardware and Electrical
• Others

Regional markets for the product include:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Thriving Consumer Packaging Sector to Boost the Growth of the Folding Carton Industry

The increasing applications of folding carton in the consumer packaging industry, to transport consumer electronics, beverage carriers, dry foods, personal care, and cosmetic products, among others, is driving the market growth. Over the forecast period, the anticipated surge in demand for convenience food products owing to the rising disposable income and thriving e-commerce platforms, is likely accelerate the folding carton’s demand.

Cartons are free from toxic chemicals, which is another encouraging factor for the demand of the folding carton market. Moreover, folding cartons offer a variety of printing and coating options, such as spot UV printing and embossing/debossing, which enables innovative packaging designs. This factor is anticipated to invigorate the market in the coming years.

Furthermore, folding cartons are anticipated to witness a high demand in secondary packaging of medicinal products in the healthcare industry for protection as well as efficient storage of medicinal information. The increasing incorporation of barcodes and 2D matrix codes by folding carton suppliers which enables the smooth monitoring of medicines and healthcare equipment, is likely to be a major driving trend in the market.

Key Players in the Global Folding Carton Market

The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the global market, covering their competitive landscape, capacity, and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, and investments, expansions of capacity, and plant turnarounds:

• Smurfit Kappa Group plc
• Quad/Graphics, Inc.
• WestRock Company
• Seaboard Folding Box Company, Inc.
• Graphic Packaging Holding Company
• Others

The comprehensive report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter's five forces model along with giving a SWOT analysis.