United States's Packaging Materials Market to Reach 44M Tons and $43.7B by 2035 - News and Statistics - IndexBox

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IndexBox has just published a new report: U.S. - Packaging Materials - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.

The article discusses the rising demand for packaging materials in the US, leading to an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is expected to continue its growth, with projected increases in both volume and value by 2035.

Driven by increasing demand for packaging materials in the United States, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 44M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $43.7B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

In 2024, consumption of packaging materials was finally on the rise to reach 43M tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Packaging materials consumption peaked at 46M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The value of the packaging materials market in the United States stood at $37.1B in 2024, remaining stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $37.5B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Paperboard case materials (29M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 69% of total volume. Moreover, paperboard case materials exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, folding boxboard (6.6M tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by other papers packaging (4.6M tons), with an 11% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of paperboard case materials consumption was relatively modest. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: folding boxboard (+3.4% per year) and other papers packaging (+3.4% per year).

In value terms, paperboard case materials ($21.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by folding boxboard ($8.3B). It was followed by other papers packaging.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of paperboard case materials market totaled +2.6%. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: folding boxboard (+4.9% per year) and other papers packaging (+5.9% per year).

In 2024, production of packaging materials was finally on the rise to reach 48M tons after two years of decline. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak volume at 51M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, packaging materials production reached $42.3B in 2024. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 25%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $42.9B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Paperboard case materials (34M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, comprising approx. 71% of total volume. Moreover, paperboard case materials exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, folding boxboard (7M tons), fivefold. Other papers packaging (4.6M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.7% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of paperboard case materials production was relatively modest. With regard to the other produced products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: folding boxboard (+0.9% per year) and other papers packaging (+3.5% per year).

In value terms, paperboard case materials ($25.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by folding boxboard ($8.9B). It was followed by other papers packaging.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of paperboard case materials production stood at +2.9%. With regard to the other produced products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: folding boxboard (+2.4% per year) and other papers packaging (+6.6% per year).

In 2024, approx. 3.4M tons of packaging materials were imported into the United States; growing by 14% against 2023 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, packaging materials imports rose significantly to $4.4B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 20%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $4.4B; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024.

In 2023, Canada (1.7M tons) constituted the largest packaging materials supplier to the United States, accounting for a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, packaging materials imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Finland (366K tons), fivefold. Sweden (337K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume from Canada stood at +2.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Finland (+2.6% per year) and Sweden (+20.5% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($1.9B) constituted the largest supplier of packaging materials to the United States, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Finland ($485M), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Sweden, with an 11% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from Canada amounted to +3.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Finland (+3.6% per year) and Sweden (+18.7% per year).

Paperboard case materials (1.4M tons), folding boxboard (1.4M tons) and wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard (545K tons) were the main products of packaging materials imports to the United States, together accounting for 97% of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by paperboard case materials (with a CAGR of +4.7%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, packaging materials with the largest imports in the United States were folding boxboard ($2.1B), paperboard case materials ($1.2B) and wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard ($976M), together accounting for 98% of total imports. These products were followed by other papers packaging, which accounted for a further 2.3%.

Among the main product categories, other papers packaging, with a CAGR of +5.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average packaging materials import price stood at $1,275 per ton in 2024, falling by -4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the average import price increased by 20%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $1,339 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard ($1,791 per ton), while the price for paperboard case materials ($871 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by wrapping papers (+2.4%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2023, the average packaging materials import price amounted to $1,335 per ton, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average import price increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $1,339 per ton, leveling off in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($5,444 per ton), while the price for Australia ($783 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+7.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, approx. 8.5M tons of packaging materials were exported from the United States; picking up by 10% against the year before. In general, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at 9.2M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, packaging materials exports rose modestly to $7.1B in 2024. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $8.2B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Mexico (2.1M tons), Canada (1.9M tons) and China (663K tons) were the main destinations of packaging materials exports from the United States, together accounting for 61% of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Mexico (with a CAGR of +3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for packaging materials exported from the United States were Canada ($2.1B), Mexico ($1.9B) and China ($409M), together comprising 64% of total exports.

Canada, with a CAGR of +3.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paperboard case materials (5.8M tons) was the largest type of packaging materials exported from the United States, with a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, paperboard case materials exceeded the volume of the second product type, folding boxboard (1.8M tons), threefold. Wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard (900K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of paperboard case materials exports amounted to +2.0%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: folding boxboard (-4.0% per year) and wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard (-1.6% per year).

In value terms, paperboard case materials ($3.7B), folding boxboard ($2.2B) and wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard ($1.1B) appeared to be the most exported types of packaging materials from the United States worldwide, together accounting for 99% of total exports. These products were followed by other papers packaging, which accounted for a further 1.1%.

Other papers packaging, with a CAGR of +8.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average packaging materials export price stood at $829 per ton in 2024, which is down by -5.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $977 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major types of exported product. In 2024, the product with the highest price was folding boxboard ($1,268 per ton), while the average price for exports of paperboard case materials ($639 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: wrapping papers (+1.9%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2023, the average packaging materials export price amounted to $874 per ton, falling by -10.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 15%. The export price peaked at $977 per ton in 2022, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($1,390 per ton), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($527 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Honduras (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the packaging materials market in the U.S.. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

A Quick Overview of Market Performance

Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

The Largest Import Supplying Countries

The Largest Destinations for Exports

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles