The Demand For Ball-folding Cartons Is Expected To Reach 63.1 Million Tons By 2030.

According to research by Smithers, global cardboard consumption is expected to reach 56.3 million tons in 2025, valued at $58.9 billion, of which 52.4 million tons will be converted into packaging materials, valued at $132.8 billion.

The research institute's report "The Future of Folding Cartons to 2030" predicts that by 2030, global demand for folding cartons will rise to 63.1 million tons, with a fixed-price market value of $159.6 billion. The growth in demand for cardboard and micro-flute packaging is mainly driven by global sustainability trends-plastic packaging is gradually being replaced by paper alternatives-and the continuously expanding demand in emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

Smithers' analysis indicates that cardboard will take market share from plastics in applications such as glued films and shrink films for consumer multipacks, fresh produce trays, and foodservice uses, as well as developing all-paper blister packs for products like stationery.

The fastest-growing sectors are confectionery, frozen foods, foodservice, soft drinks, and beer. From 2025 to 2030, the largest share of incremental demand will come from healthcare customers, reflecting new sales in developing regions of Asia and design innovations in mature markets.

Folding carton board, coated recycled board, and white-lined chipboard remain the three mainstream types in the folding carton sector, together accounting for 83.8% of current market demand.

Between 2025 and 2030, as new paper production equipment is successively put into operation in Brazil, China, and other parts of Asia, the folding carton market share is expected to continue expanding. Meanwhile, the new capacities of solid bleached board and sulfate board will gradually be put into use, supporting sales growth during this period. However, products such as solid unbleached board, sulfate board, and uncoated recycled board are still expected to have sales below the market average.