Market Trends of Europe Paper Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Europe Paper Market according to our research experts:
Case Materials Type is Expected to Hold Major Share
- Corrugated case material (CCM), known as containerboard, is a type of paperboard specifically designed for the production of corrugated boards made up of two types of paper: liner board and corrugating medium (or fluting). It is largely used for corrugated packaging products.
- The Confederation of Paper Industries (CEPI) statistics show that the production of case materials in Europe increased by 8.3% in 2021 compared to 2020, owing to the rising demand from end-user industries preferring eco-friendly packaging solutions to promote sustainability.
- Another factor contributing to the rise in containerboard demand is the growing online shopping, which has emerged as a structural consumer change accelerated by the pandemic. As a result, containerboard demand significantly increased, with e-commerce accounting for the majority of the gains creating the need for case materials.
- As corrugated board packaging keeps moisture away from the products and withstands long shipping times, it is increasingly being adopted by companies to offer customers better outcomes, especially as means of secondary or tertiary packaging. Processed foods, such as bread, meat products, and other perishable items, need these packaging materials to be used at once, thereby driving the demand.
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Germany Holds Largest Share in the Market
- Germany is one of the major markets of paper in Europe, with a large number of major paper manufacturers and processors settled in the state. According to the Federal Office of Statistics, in 2021, 34% of packaging industry revenue in Germany was generated by paper packaging.
- Although graphic paper consumption in Germany has decreased in recent years, the demand from the packaging industry has increased significantly for various end-user industries applications. In the meantime, the rapid development of the online commerce market also contributed to the growth of paper consumption in the country.
- The increasing adoption of sustainable packaging solutions and increased regulations related to packaging materials in the country created a need for paper from the packaging industry. Thus, vendors in the market are introducing paper-based packaging solutions. For instance, in February 2022, Amcor PLC, a leading packaging manufacturer, launched paper-based packaging for snacks and confectionery, and many FMCG brands in the country tested Amcor's LifeSpan's material. Such innovations from the packaging manufacturer will further encourage other vendors to innovate paper-based packaging, which would bolster the demand for paper.
- Several paper manufacturers in Germany are expanding their production capacities to offer paper as a sustainable alternative solution for the packaging industry. For instance, in February 2022, Sappi, one of the leading providers of paper-based solutions, announced that it is further expanding its capabilities to produce recyclable high-barrier papers by deploying a cutting-edge coating machine into operation at its specialized paper mill in Alfeld.
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