The global kraft liner market size was valued at USD 43.71 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach from USD 46.55 billion in 2025 to USD 77.05 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period (2025-2033).
Virgin pulp contains more than 80% of the fibre content in Kraft Liner, a paperboard or paper. There are lengthy fibres in the bleached or unbleached kraft pulp that give the paper its increased tensile strength. Kraft Liners are used as the outer layer of solid or corrugated paperboard boxes because of their great strength and resistance to moisture. As part of packing procedures, kraft Liners are used to wrap and bundle things, as well as cover gaps.As an alternative to plastic packing, Kraft liner is commonly used. Softwood fibres in the top ply and recycled fibres in the base ply are used in this two-ply product, which can be used to make various products. In addition to being extremely durable, kraft liner is also very easy to print on.
Kraft liners have seen a boost in popularity as a result of an increase in the need for packaging in the e-commerce sector around the world. In addition, as industrial operations expand around the world, the need for kraft liners is expected to rise as a result. Smaller enterprises are unable to compete in the market because of the lower overall cost of integrating with multinational companies. The value chain also includes distributors and retailers, who have a significant impact on the price model of the entire process.
Demand from food and retail industries for plastic-free packaging solutions is expected to help drive the global market for kraft liner. The environmental harm caused by plastic means that paper and paperboard will likely take their place as the preferred packaging material of the future. Over the next few years, the use of kraft liner and test liner solutions is likely to expand. This is because governments around the world have banned single-use plastics. In the near future, this is expected to drive major brands and companies to switch away from plastic packaging.
Online shopping is also experiencing tremendous growth around the world, thanks to the increasing use of mobile devices and the internet. People with higher earnings and more internet users are likely to fuel the growth of the e-commerce business during the next several years. Corrugated fibre board designs that can securely carry goods through more complex distribution networks will see an increase in demand for printing and packaging solutions.
The food industry is predicted to hold somewhere around half of the global market share for kraft liners. On the other hand, e-Commerce is projected to post the highest growth in terms of value over the course of the projection year. It is projected that there will be a rise in demand for kraft liner solutions in the not-too-distant future on the part of manufacturers of non-alcoholic beverages.
In nations like China and India, the food and pharmaceutical industries are driving the growth and potential of consumer-packaged goods. As a result, packaging that is both portable and practical is becoming increasingly popular. Among the many uses for lightweight packing paper are food sacks, yoghurt pot banderols, tea envelopes, cigarette liners, and soft packs, as well as a variety of other non-food products. Consequently, the market will be driven by lightweight packaging with kraft lining that is widely used.
In recent years, the use of plastic has become universally frowned upon in every region of the world. As a result of this, there has been a surge in demand for kraft liners. Even moving forward, it is anticipated that the situation will still play out. Because of this element, the market for kraft liner is about to be completely disrupted in the time that is to come.
Due to a rise in the need for kraft paper, the expanding regulating bodies are concentrating on implementing recycling techniques for paper. Furthermore, due to its packaging benefits for various eating food products, such as pizza sandwiches or burgers, manufacturing organizations have seen a noticeably increased demand for kraft paper from the food & beverage industry. Additionally, shifting consumer attention to the end product's better appearance will positively help the market's growth rate.
The versatility of kraft paper makes gift wrapping quite simple. Due to its distinctive qualities—colorful creativity and texture—kraft paper is more advantageous. This essay is appropriate for personal use as well. The prices can be reduced by making DIY kraft-inspired decorations and invitations for gatherings and weddings.
Nearly 80% of the fibers used to make Kraft liner come from chemical sulphate or soda processing of virgin fibers. Sulfate kraft pulping, or the sulphate kraft method, is a method of turning hardwoods like oak into pulp. Wood products have a tendency to fluctuate more than most other commodities. Lumber and plywood costs are skyrocketing at the moment due to supply and demand imbalances in the short term. Wood was in particularly high demand during the summer months of the pandemic. Recycled cardboard and paper are no longer being imported by the boatload since demand for virgin pulp, rather than recycled cardboard and paper, has soared. Pulp companies are taking advantage of increased pricing by diverting exports from local markets. Hence, these limitations limit the expansion of the kraft liner industry.
Government inaction and the digital revolution in underdeveloped nations are expected to impede market expansion. During the forecast period, the kraft paper market is anticipated to face challenges related to access to affordable and high-quality raw materials.
Internet commerce has evolved into a widespread industry thanks to the proliferation of smartphones and the Internet. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, the e-commerce industry in India has been on an upward growth trajectory, and it is expected that by the year 2034, it would exceed the e-commerce market in the United States to become the second largest e-commerce market in the world. It is anticipated that the value of the e-commerce market would reach $200 billion by the year 2026. The growth of India's e-commerce industry has the potential to reach US$ 150 billion by 2022, supported by rising earnings and an increase in the number of people using the internet.
This will result in an increased demand for printing and packaging solutions, specifically corrugated fibre board shapes that are able to reliably transport goods through increasingly complex distribution pathways. This displays an interest in packaging options that may create an impression, such as unique packaging, lightweight packaging, or both. This is consistent with the requirement for integrated marketing, with the packaging functioning as a gateway to social media. This will open up new opportunities and thus, the Kraft Liner Market will grow in the forecast period.
Study Period | 2021-2033 | CAGR | 6.5% |
Historical Period | 2021-2023 | Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Base Year | 2024 | Base Year Market Size | USD 43.71 Billion |
Forecast Year | 2033 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 77.05 Billion |
Largest Market | Asia Pacific | Fastest Growing Market | Middle East and Africa |
The Asia-Pacific regional market had the biggest revenue share, accounting for approximately CAGR of 6.5% of total revenue. The presence of a significant number of producers as well as an end-use packaging sector contributed to the demand for the product in the Asia-Pacific region, which resulted in a value of more than USD 24.40 billion in 2021.
The expansion that has taken place in the Asia-Pacific region can be linked to the increasing rate of industrialization and the magnitude of the production of commodities that is taking place in nearly every industry in developing countries such as China, Vietnam, India, and others. It is anticipated that the expansion of e-commerce and manufacturing in this region would contribute to the growth of the market.
The Middle East and Africa region is likely to record the highest CAGR of approximately 7.7% over the course of the forecast year. On account of the growing number of import and export transactions that are taking place throughout the region, due to the fact that the market as a whole is far from being saturated, there is a significant opportunity for expansion within the business.
In 2021, North America also had a major portion of the market share. This is because the packaging industry has been around for quite some time. The presence of a significant number of industrial organizations, in addition to the expanding e-commerce sector in the region, is anticipated to keep the need for corrugated packaging stable during the course of the next time frame.
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The Global Kraft Liner Market is segmented into GSM<80, GSM 80 To 160, and GSM>160. In 2021, the GSM 80 to 160 product segment was the most profitable and led the market. This segment accounted for 61 percent of the total revenue share worldwide. It is projected to be the product segment with the highest rate of growth over the course of the projection period, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 7.2% from 2022 to 2030. It is anticipated that the expansion of the segment would be driven by the expanding application of the product in the consumer products packaging sector.
The e-commerce industry makes extensive use of kraft liner paper that has a GSM of between 80 and 160. The e-commerce industry is one of the main end-users of packaging materials, and it is anticipated that it will see expansion throughout the projected period. As a result, the demand for kraft liners is likely to increase as a direct result of this growth. It is anticipated that the expanding e-commerce sector around the world would lead to an increase in the demand for kraft liners of GSM grade 80 and higher.
This product is both dense and multilayered, which gives the goods being transported with additional cushioning while the objects are being transported. GSM > 160 kraft liners are utilized rather frequently for the purpose of heavy-duty equipment. Heavy electrical appliances, industrial machinery, construction materials, automotive parts, and glass items are some of the primary applications for this grade of the product. Other applications include glass things.
In order to make the packaging more long-lasting and to provide an increased level of protection for the items that are being transported, various types of flutes and multilayered kraft papers are utilized. The level of durability and susceptibility to damage of the item is what determines the GSM grade of the kraft liners that should be used. For specialized applications that call for an increased number of layers of protection, the range can reach as high as 400 GSM.
The Global Kraft Liner Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2021, the Asia Pacific area accounted for about 65 percent of global revenue. Because of the huge number of producers and the end-use packaging sector, the product demand in Asia-Pacific was estimated in 2021 at around USD 24.40 billion. The growing import and export activities in the Middle East and Africa region are expected to drive the quickest CAGR of over 7.7 percent over the projection period in this region. The sector has a lot of room to expand because the market is so underserved.