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Flexible Packaging Paper Market Size and Forecast, by Material Type (Coated Unbleached Kraft Paperboard, Coated Recycled Paper, Solid Bleached Sulfate); Packaging Type (Bags & Sacks, Wraps, Cartons, Envelopes, Lids, Sachet); Paper Type (Parchment, Greaseproof, Sulfite, Glassine); End-user (Agriculture, Consumer Goods, Food & Beverages, Cosmetics & Personal Care) - Growth Trends, Key Players, Regional Analysis 2026-2035

  • Report ID: 4584
  • Published Date: Sep 10, 2025
  • Report Format: PDF, PPT

Flexible Packaging Paper Market Outlook:

Flexible Packaging Paper Market size was over USD 142.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 206.48 billion by 2035, growing at around 3.8% CAGR during the forecast period i.e., between 2026-2035. In the year 2026, the industry size of flexible packaging paper is evaluated at USD 147.06 billion.

Flexible Packaging Paper Market Size
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The growth of the market can be attributed to the increased spending on medicines as well as the higher utilization of flexible packaging paper in medicine packaging. For instance, as of 2021, the total spending on medicines across the globe was estimated to be around USD 1.5 trillion. Moreover, the escalating demand for packaged food as a result of a change in lifestyle, along with growing traction for sustainable packaging solutions across the globe, is also expected to add to the market growth.

In addition to these, factors that are believed to fuel the market growth of flexible packaging paper include the rise in demand for eco-friendly packaging, coupled with their cost effectiveness, and the high rising trend of ready-to-eat food. These some of the other key factors that are projected to propel the market growth over the coming years. Additionally, flexible packaging paper market trends such as the higher inclination of the global population toward personal care and hygiene, along with a surge in technological advancement that is boosting the novel innovative solutions in the packaging sector, and rising demand for flexible packaging in the electronic industry are projected to further influence the growth of the market positively over the forecast period.

Key Flexible Packaging Paper Market Insights Summary:

  • Regional Highlights:

    • Asia Pacific flexible packaging paper market will secure around 42.6% share by 2035, driven by booming food and beverage industry and rising demand for packaged foods.
    • North America market sees notable growth during the forecast timeline, driven by increasing interest in cosmetics, sustainable packaging, and R&D initiatives.

  • Segment Insights:

    • The food & beverages segment in the flexible packaging paper market is expected to experience noteworthy growth during 2026-2035, driven by rising demand and trade volume of food & beverages globally and demand for sustainable packaging.
    • The coated unbleached kraft paperboard segment in the flexible packaging paper market is projected to exhibit prominent growth during 2026-2035, driven by high usability in several industries due to excellent printability and tear strength.

  • Key Growth Trends:

    • Rising Demand for Flexible Packaging Paper in Pharmaceuticals
    • Increasing Production and Demand for Skin & Hair Care Products

  • Major Challenges:

    • Possibility of Negative Impact on the Environment
    • Disrupted Supply Chain Owing to COVID-19

  • Key Players: Smurfit Kappa Group, JK Paper Limited, Sappi Europe SA, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), International Paper Company, Billerud AB, WestRock Company, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., Canadian Kraft Paper Industries Limited.

Global Flexible Packaging Paper Market Forecast and Regional Outlook:

  • Market Size & Growth Projections:

    • 2025 Market Size: USD 142.2 billion
    • 2026 Market Size: USD 147.06 billion
    • Projected Market Size: USD 206.48 billion by 2035
    • Growth Forecasts: 3.8% CAGR (2026-2035)

  • Key Regional Dynamics:

    • Largest Region: Asia Pacific (42.6% Share by 2035)
    • Fastest Growing Region: Asia Pacific
    • Dominating Countries: United States, China, Germany, Japan, India
    • Emerging Countries: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil

    • Last updated on : 10 September, 2025

Growth Drivers

  • Rising Demand for Flexible Packaging Paper in Pharmaceuticals – Based on a report, the pharmaceutical industry was projected to be around USD 1.5 trillion in 2021. The pharmaceutical industry comprises the discovery, development, production, packaging, and distribution of medicines and drugs. The medicines and drugs are supplied from country to country for consumption by patients. Therefore, the proper demand for packaging these medicines emerges in the market, resulting in higher utilization of flexible packaging paper.

  • Worldwide Escalation in the Ready-to-Eat Food Industry - Ready-to-eat, instant food mix is gaining popularity as such food is most convenient for those people who have a hectic work schedule. Ready-to-eat food products are one of the best alternatives to traditional cooking that saves a lot of time. Such benefits have made these meals highly demanded by working people and students. Therefore, the surging demand for instant food has been increasing the growth ratio of the ready-to-eat food industry across the globe, which is further estimated to positively affect the flexible packaging paper market in the coming years. For instance, the global value of the ready-to-eat food industry is expected to be approximately USD 198 billion by 2026.

  • Growing Inclination of Men Toward Makeup and Cosmetics - As of 2020, it was estimated that nearly 60% of men were using makeup or concealer across the globe.

  • Increasing Production and Demand for Skin & Hair Care Products – For instance, in 2022, the skin care segment across the globe was projected to be nearly USD 8 billion.

  • Worldwide Growth in Retail E-Commerce – For instance, global retail e-commerce sales were estimated to be around USD 6 trillion in 2021. By 2026, this amount is estimated to propel nearly 58%, totaling roughly USD  9 trillion.

Challenges

  • Possibility of Negative Impact on the Environment – As packaging paper often ends up in landfills, taking up more space than plastic.  Also, the paper has poor barrier properties and offers less of a barrier to oxygen, light, and microbes than other packaging materials. Hence, this factor is estimated to hamper the market growth over the projected time frame.
  • Disrupted Supply Chain Owing to COVID-19
  • Lack of Awareness and Proper Investment

Flexible Packaging Paper Market Size and Forecast:

Report Attribute Details

Base Year

2025

Forecast Period

2026-2035

CAGR

3.8%

Base Year Market Size (2025)

USD 142.2 billion

Forecast Year Market Size (2035)

USD 206.48 billion

Regional Scope

  • North America (U.S. and Canada)
  • Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, Rest of Asia Pacific)
  • Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, NORDIC, Rest of Europe)
  • Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Rest of Latin America)
  • Middle East and Africa (Israel, GCC, North Africa, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa)
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Flexible Packaging Paper Market Segmentation:

End-user (Agriculture, Consumer Goods, Food & Beverages, Cosmetics & Personal Care)

The food & beverages segment in the flexible packaging paper market is projected to witness noteworthy growth over the forecast period. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the rising demand and trade volume of food and beverage across the globe, along with higher demand for ready-to-eat meals and beverages which requires sustainable packaging. Besides this, increasing consumption of frozen food and dairy product is another significant factor that is anticipated to boost segment's growth in the market further over the projected time frame.

Material Type (Coated Unbleached Kraft Paperboard, Coated Recycled Paper, Solid Bleached Sulfate)

The coated unbleached kraft paperboard segment is estimated to show prominent growth over the forecast period on the back of its high usability in several end-use industries as a result of its excellent printability, and tear strength. Besides this, the coated unbleached kraft paperboard is very economical as compared to its other alternatives. This, as a result, is anticipated to create numerous opportunities for the growth of the segment in the coming years.

Our in-depth analysis of the global market includes the following segments:

       By Material Type
  • Coated Unbleached Kraft Paperboard
  • Coated Recycled Paper
  • Solid Bleached Sulfate

       By Packaging Type
  • Bags & Sacks
  • Wraps
  • Cartons
  • Envelopes
  • Lids
  • Sachet

       By Paper Type
  • Parchment
  • Greaseproof
  • Sulfite
  • Glassine

       By End-User
  • Agriculture
  • Consumer Goods
  • Food & Beverages
  • Cosmetics & Personal Care
  • Others
Vishnu Nair
Vishnu Nair
Head - Global Business Development

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Flexible Packaging Paper Market Regional Analysis:

APAC Market Statistics

Asia Pacific region is projected to account for more than 42.6% market share by 2035, driven by booming food and beverage industry and rising demand for packaged foods. For instance, in 2020, packaged food sales figures in China totaled over USD 288 billion. Rice, pasta & noodles, dairy, and savory snacks were the top packaged food categories in terms of sales value. Further, an upsurge in the disposable income of the populace, and rising investment in the packaging industry in several countries in the region are some other significant factors that are projected to expand the market growth further throughout the forecast period in the region. In addition to this, an increasing count of facilities for the production of flexible packaging paper, the availability of raw materials, and low-cost labor are also anticipated to boost the market growth in the region during the forecast period.

North American Market Forecast   

Furthermore, the North American flexible packaging paper market, is also estimated to display notable market growth by the end of 2035. The growth of the market can be attributed to the growing research and development activities, followed by the escalating inclination of people toward cosmetics and rising disposable income. For instance, the cosmetics segment in the United States was estimated to reach approximately USD 18 billion in 2022. Furthermore, an escalating ratio of packaged food consumption, along with the higher count of government initiatives to promote sustainable packaging coupled with surging environmental concerns are also estimated to further boost the market growth in the region in the coming years in the region.

Flexible Packaging Paper Market Share
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Flexible Packaging Paper Market Players:

    • Mondi plc

      • Company Overview
      • Business Strategy
      • Key Product Offerings
      • Financial Performance
      • Key Performance Indicators
      • Risk Analysis
      • Recent Development
      • Regional Presence
      • SWOT Analysis
    • Smurfit Kappa Group
    • JK Paper Limited
    • Sappi Europe SA
    • Packaging Corporation of America (PCA)
    • International Paper Company
    • Billerud AB
    • WestRock Company
    • Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
    • Canadian Kraft Paper Industries Limited

Recent Developments

  • Mondi plc to collaborate with Felleskjopet, a leading Norwegian pet food manufacturer to launch recyclable high-barrier packaging. Mondi Group will provide its FlexiBag to Norwegian to pack their dry dog and cat food.

  • Smurfit Kappa Group to acquire PaperBox, a packaging plant based in Rio de Janeiro. The acquisition took place to enlarge the capacity and presence of the company in Brazil along with a significant expansion in the product portfolio.

  • Report ID: 4584
  • Published Date: Sep 10, 2025
  • Report Format: PDF, PPT
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In the year 2026, the industry size of flexible packaging paper is evaluated at USD 147.06 billion.

The global flexible packaging paper market size was worth over USD 142.2 billion in 2025 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of over 3.8%, reaching USD 206.48 billion revenue by 2035.

Asia Pacific flexible packaging paper market will secure around 42.6% share by 2035, driven by booming food and beverage industry and rising demand for packaged foods.

Key players in the market include Smurfit Kappa Group, JK Paper Limited, Sappi Europe SA, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), International Paper Company, Billerud AB, WestRock Company, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., Canadian Kraft Paper Industries Limited.

Flexible Packaging Paper Market Report Scope

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