Food Contact Paper Market Report 2026

The food contact paper market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $76.17 billion in 2025 to $80.07 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in packaged food consumption, expansion of bakery and confectionery markets, rising demand for hygienic food packaging, increased use of paper-based wraps, growth of quick-service restaurants.

The food contact paper market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $99.43 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulatory focus on sustainable packaging, rising demand for biodegradable food contact materials, expansion of ready-to-eat food consumption, growing emphasis on food safety standards, increasing adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of greaseproof and barrier coated papers, rising demand for recyclable food packaging materials, growing adoption of moisture-resistant food papers, expansion of food safety compliant packaging, enhanced focus on shelf-life extension.

The rapid growth of the food and beverage industry is expected to drive the expansion of the food contact paper market going forward. The food and beverage sector includes the production and distribution of a broad range of consumable products, such as fresh and packaged foods, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and processed food items. Food contact paper plays a vital role in this industry by supporting food safety, preservation, convenience, and brand presentation while adhering to regulatory requirements. For example, in July 2025, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a Canada-based government department, the food and beverage processing sector remained the country’s largest manufacturing industry by production value in 2024, generating $173.4 billion in goods. This accounted for 20.3% of total manufacturing sales and contributed 1.6% to Canada’s GDP. Exports of processed food and beverage products reached a record $59.8 billion, representing a 3.8% increase from 2023 and comprising 34.5% of the industry’s total production value. Therefore, the continued expansion of the food and beverage industry is fueling growth in the food contact paper market.

Key companies operating in the food contact paper market are increasingly engaging in partnerships to boost market revenue and accelerate innovation. Strategic collaborations help advance product development, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote sustainability initiatives within the food contact paper industry, benefiting manufacturers, consumers, and the environment alike. For instance, in August 2023, Ahlstrom, a Finland-based fiber-based materials company, partnered with The Paper People, a US-based sustainable packaging provider, to develop a fiber-based frozen food packaging solution. This innovative and environmentally friendly packaging is intended to replace conventional fossil-based plastics and films commonly used in frozen food applications.

In March 2024, ProAmpac LLC, a US-based flexible packaging company, acquired UP Paper LLC for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, ProAmpac seeks to reinforce its presence in the food contact paper market by broadening its range of food-safe packaging solutions and improving its capacity to address customer demand for high-quality, compliant packaging materials. UP Paper LLC is a US-based paper manufacturer that produces various paper products, including food contact papers, packaging materials, and specialty papers for multiple industrial uses.

Major companies operating in the food contact paper market are Mondi plc, Westrock Company, Pudumjee Paper Products Ltd., Asian Pulp & Paper Company, Ahlstrom- Munksjo Oyj, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Twin River Paper Company, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc., SCG Packaging Public Company Limited, PT. Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk, Seaman Paper Company, Maesindo Indonesia, PT Parisindo Pratama, Harwal Group of Companies, Huhtamaki Oyj, International Paper Company, Smurfit Kappa Group, Stora Enso Oyj, Sappi Limited, Metsä Board Corporation, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corporation, Daio Paper Corporation, Rengo Co. Ltd., Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Limited, Fujian Liansheng Paper Industry Co. Ltd., Guangdong Guanhao High-Tech Co. Ltd., Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Limited, Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited, Shanying International Holdings Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Jinjia Group Co. Ltd., GM Packaging Ltd, Superiorpaper Pty Ltd, KRPA Holding CZ a.s., Nordic Paper.

North America was the largest region in the food contact paper market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global food contact paper market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the food contact paper market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the food contact paper market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The food contact paper market consists of sales of corrugated board, solid bleached sulfate (SBS) paperboard, and coated paper. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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