United Kingdom(UK) Containerboard Market Overview, 2029

The United Kingdom's containerboard market has been experiencing significant changes, particularly since World War II, where industry production and consumption reached an all-time high, with packaging materials, including corrugated cardboard, being broadly used. Further expansion occurred during the 1970s and 1980s due to the growth of retailing and the increasing development of e-commerce, whose businesses wanted cheaper and more effective packaging. This period also marked technological progress, complemented by recycling practices, which, besides improving the manufacturing process itself, also resulted in better products. The late 2000s experienced a significant spur in growth rates by the enrollment of online shopping, which has resulted in tugging innovations in packaging design and functionality to suit e-commerce. Currently, issues on sustainability have taken center stage for both the consumer and the enterprise, which individual governments take seriously through various initiatives on how to minimize environmental impact. This manifests with increased use of recycled fibers in containerboard production processes and new eco-friendly solutions for packaging. The pandemic only accelerated further the demand for containerboard, with surging e-commerce and grocery delivery boosting the need for robust packaging. Further, the market has consolidated through bigger companies acquiring smaller ones to build scale and efficiency. The UK containerboard market is going to rise further in the future due to sustained demand from e-commerce, strengthened sustainability initiatives, and incessant innovations in packaging technology, making this an important packaging solution for years to come. Investors have bought into the UK because they have customers in the UK. Quite simply, they want to be right up close to their customers to ensure they are delivering the best service. While the availability of products and raw materials has become very stretched, being right there with your customers is a place where serious advocates of customer service want to be.

According to the research report "United Kingdom Containerboard Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Containerboard market is anticipated to grow at more than 4% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. The formation of a containerboard with multiple layers of paper makes it highly durable and strong. The lightweight property of the containerboard helps in reducing the overall shipping cost. In addition, the ability of the product to offer protection & cushioning while transportation is further increasing its demand for transporting delicate and electronic products of industries such as food & beverage and consumer goods in UK. Perhaps most significantly, corrugated converters in the UK are seen as an attractive investment. The marketplace is growing, profitability has improved significantly. Investors wanting to see a great return on their capital are seeing UK sheet plants as a good proposition. High-quality graphic printing is possible on containerboard, thereby, making it an ideal option for packaging used for marketing and branding purposes. Furthermore, it is anticipated that further technological developments in the field of digital printing will lead to a number of possible business opportunities for the market players in UK. In addition, it is projected that the expanding demand for high-volume liners and post-print products coupled with the growing use of advanced processes is further expected to expand the market potential over the coming years. The growth of e-commerce and online retail is contributing to higher demand for corrugated packaging. With more consumers shopping online, the need for sturdy and protective packaging to ship products safely is increasing, which benefits the containerboard market. Innovations in containerboard production, such as improved manufacturing processes and the development of high-performance grades, are enhancing the quality and functionality of containerboard. These advancements are expanding its application across various industries, including food and beverage, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.

In the UK container board market, the segment ruled is that of Recycled Paper, impelled by the same forces of sustainability and consumer preference for green or eco-friendly packaging. As companies feel growing pressure from being aware of the impact on the environment, they are compelled to follow sustainable practices that require the use of recycled materials in their production processes. This is further reinforced by the developed infrastructure in the UK for recycling, which provides for a steady supply of recycled paper for sourcing by manufacturers at relatively low costs. Besides, it can be reprocessed several times, reducing waste and carbon emissions related to the production of packaging materials. More importantly, many consumers actively look out for products having recycled material in their packaging, further fueling demand for the segment. The superior quality and performance characteristics have led to growth in the Virgin Fibre segment. Virgin fibres, which are obtained from freshly harvested trees, have high tensile strength, durability, and aesthetic value; thus, they are used in situations that require strong packaging. Rising e-commerce demands drive the need for packaging solutions to sustain numerous pressures involved in transportation without compromising product safety. Furthermore, as brands move to premium packaging for their products, virgin fiber is remarkably biased due to its capability of giving classy printability and structural integrity. Growing demand for specialty products, which includes luxurious goods and high-end electronic goods, further enhances the prospect of growth for the segment of virgin fiber.

The food and beverage (fruits & vegetables) sector drives the container board market in the UK due to increasing demand for sustainable packaging focused on freshness and safety. The segment continues profiting from the rise in demand for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging as consumer awareness towards the impact of plastic on the environment increases. On the other hand, recyclable and biodegradable container board options do a great job in maintaining the quality of fruits and vegetables during transportation; therefore, they remain the choice of every retailer and consumer. The processed food segment is growing owing to the trend of eating convenience foods, with people getting busier in their lifestyles and seeking ready-to-cook items. As more and more consumers seek meal solutions that are convenient, there is an enhanced demand for processed food packaging, most of which calls for durable and protective container board.

In a growing market of meals packaged and ready for minimal preparation, the container board used in Ready-to-eat Food has a focus on convenience and portability. Poultry needs material that holds its hygiene and freshness. This container board has to be strong and moisture-resistant for transportation to be possible and safe. Cosmetics & Personal Care is increasing its potential with the demand for premium packaging rapidly increasing as brands stretch their creativity to add aesthetic appeal while being sensitive to the need for sustainability. Container board in cosmetic applications often includes attractive designs and textures. The Pharmaceuticals segment uses container board for its protection features so that sensitive medical products are protected against environmental elements. In Textile Industry Woven and Non-Woven, packaging of textiles often requires container board that is light in weight but must have the strength needed to provide adequate protection during shipment while maintaining an attractive presentation. Electrical & Electronics will include smart phones, television, computers, and others. These require high strength packaging to preserve delicate products. Thus, container board will be essential in maintaining the integrity of the product during transport.



Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Containerboard market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Material
• Recycled Paper
• Virgin Fibre

By End-use
• Food & Beverage (Fruits & Vegetables, Processed Food, Ready-to-eat-Food, Poultry Products and Others)
• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Pharmaceuticals
• Textile Industry (Woven and Non-Woven)
• Electrical & Electronics (Smartphones, Television, Computers and Others)
• Others

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Containerboard industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.