Paper and Board Technologies Market Trends

Market Trends of Paper and Board Technologies Industry

Increasing Trend of Replacing Plastic and Single-use Paper Products with Paper and Board Products

• Pressures to eliminate single-use plastic and reduce single-use paper product consumption are spurring developments in papermaking and coating technologies. Functional and barrier coating materials are applied to paper and board packaging to provide a barrier against the egress or ingress of oil and grease, water and water vapor, oxygen, and aroma, for the products packed.
• The scope of plastic restrictions has gradually expanded from plastic bags to disposable plastic packaging products. The limited use of plastic products has prompted a number of end-users and many countries to look for cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives. Materials such as paper and board, along with other materials like metals, glass, and biodegradable plastics products, have been considered as alternatives to plastic products.
• With the implementation of plastic bans, the demand for disposable paper boxes, paper bags, paper cans, and other related paper and board products for food packaging increased post COVID-19 pandemic period.
• In manufacturing these paper and board packaging products, innovative technologies are helping to reduce weight and volume of packaging, reduce energy consumption, eliminate and minimize toxic additives, as well as create sustainable business models, therefore driving the market.
• For instance, in June 2022, a scientist from Rutgers School of Public Health and Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute developed a plant-based biodegradable coating which can be sprayed on foods, guarding them against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms as well as transportation damage. This research was aimed to produce environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic food wrap and containers. Owing to technologies like these, paper and board packaging products can be used in a wide range of end-user industries including food.

Asia Pacific is Expected to Register the Fastest Growth Rate

• Due to the increasing penetration of packaging machinery in the region, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The formation of strategic partnerships and collaborations by key regional vendors add growth to the market. For instance, in October 2021, JK Paper Limited, one of India's largest pulp and paper producers, selected AFT Global to supply a POM approach (paper machine approach technology) flow and stock preparation system for JK Paper's latest packaging board expansion project.
• Automation became more prevalent with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. China is expected to be one of the critical markets for paper and board packaging automation, considering the increasing investments and the growing size of the retail market sector. The rising consumption rate of goods accelerates the need for more packaging; therefore, influencing the demand for packaging robots.
• The packaging market in Japan is also experiencing healthy growth. The demand for corrugated packaging in the country has been fueled by the growing demand and development of beverages and packaged food. Japan's growing processed food industry is also expected to act as one of the crucial drivers for the paper and board technologies market.
• In addition, the introduction of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) into packaging equipment is also gaining popularity in the region, which is expected to improve the efficiency of packaging lines and pave the way for the digital future of packaging equipment over the next decade, by opening new opportunities for improved machinery, machine infrastructure, and operators.