Paperboard & Packaging Papers: Market Size & Forecast 2026

The global paperboard and packaging papers market sits at USD 165 billion in the 2025 base year, anchored by structural demand from food and beverage packaging (38% of end-use demand) and accelerating e-commerce fulfilment (22% and growing at roughly double the category average). The market compounds at approximately 3.8% through 2032, reaching an estimated USD 215 billion, driven by fibre-based substitution of plastic in regulatory-sensitive channels, premiumisation of FBB in cosmetics and pharma primary packaging, and sustained containerboard demand from parcel logistics. The headline supply risk is OCC availability and price volatility in the recycled fibre chain; the headline regulatory risk is PPWR compliance cost stacking through 2030. > Synthesised from secondary and publicly verifiable sources via Claight Category Watch:

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