United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market Size

United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market Analysis

The United Kingdom Corrugated Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 4.07 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 4.63 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 2.59% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Depending on the application, corrugated packaging is found in different styles, shapes, and sizes. Due to its 100% recyclability and cost-effectiveness, it is widely used in the packaging industry.

• Corrugated boards are highly versatile and can take various forms other than the box. It still is the most commonly used packaging material in the UK. They are slowly replacing flexible plastic bags due to sustainability issues. Moreover, corrugated boxes act as a perfect base to hold several types of printing techniques. Due to this, companies tend to prefer corrugated packaging as a marketing tool. Also, it is used for a very wide range of food, grocery, and manufactured products.
• According to the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI ), association Papers and board consumption in the United Kingdom reached 10 million metric tons in 2021, a slight increase compared to 2020. Packaging is the most consumed type of paper and board in the UK.
• The United Kingdom has encouraged manufacturers to take responsibility for using sustainable packaging solutions. Corrugated boards have always been a popular choice of packaging due to their strength, cushioning, and protective, flexible, and recyclable properties.
• Moreover, corrugated boxes are becoming the packaging of choice across a wide range of industries, from transportation and e-commerce services to the food and drinks industry in the region. The demand for convenience foods is on the rise due to the busy lifestyle of people. The rise of e-commerce, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has heightened the need for corrugated packaging solutions in the country.
• Growing government regulations for companies to adopt sustainable packaging materials to reduce packaging waste further drives the demand for corrugated board packaging. For instance, in November 2021, the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO), which represents the corrugated packaging industry across Europe, including the United Kingdom, released its corrugated packaging recyclability guidelines aimed at optimizing recyclability via design parameters for paper and board packaging.
• However, paper cannot be recycled indefinitely, as the fibers get weaker when recycled and need to be replenished. The paper industry heavily depends on a supply of high-quality fibers that come from sustainable sources and are responsibly sourced. This, in turn, could hinder market growth in the forecast timeframe.
• The demand for corrugated packaging in the UK is witnessing significant growth due to the demand for transport packaging of essential products, such as packaging for food and other consumer products, medical and pharmaceutical and tissues, and hygiene products.