Paper and cardboard packaging

24/10/2025

Oct 24, 2025

The paper industry in 2024

According to data compiled by the Assografici research department, the paper converting industry, of which paper and cardboard packaging are a part, closed 2024 with turnover down by 3.3% on 2023, but with production up by 2.4%. The greatest difficulties were recorded in the first part of the year, while the last few months have shown signs of recovery across the whole industry. Also at European level (Union of 27 countries), the paper converting industry grew in terms of production (+1.3%) and contracted in terms of turnover (-1.8%). This downturn mainly affected Germany (-4%), followed by Italy. France recorded a drop of 2.7%, Poland a drop of 2.2%, and Spain closed with a slight loss (0.4%).

Paper and cardboard packaging in Italy

As was the case in 2023, and in line with European trends, sector turnover was negative again in 2024, down 3.1% to €10,008 mln. This decrease is attributable to lower average selling prices for packaging (down about 4 per cent) and raw materials. According to the price lists of the Milan Monza-Brianza Chamber of Commerce, these in particular showed fluctuations between stability and contraction: corrugated cardboard between -0.1% and -13%, cardboard between -0.4% and -9%, cardboard used for the production of tubes between -3% and -5%. Differentiated trends for recycled material, positive for corrugated cardboard, negative for all the others. Trend reversal for production in tonnes. After two years of decline, the trend became positive in 2024 (+2.1%), at around 5,702,000 tonnes. Foreign trade also recovered, with exports up 3.4% to 581,000 tonnes. Imports were in line with production and export trends, at 219,000 tonnes with a trend growth of 5%. For the past few years, there has been a steady increase in imports relative to exports. In the last 11 years, the figure has risen from 112,000 tonnes in 2013 to 219,000 tonnes in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of +6.9%, compared to a growth rate relative to production of just +1.6%. A deeper analysis of the sector's foreign trade shows that most of our country's trade relations remain within Europe, as is the case for all types of packaging. In 2024, 85% of our imports came from European countries, with Germany accounting for around 45% of imports, and in 2024 they rose by 13 per cent. As regards exports, 89% remained in Europe. This division remains substantially stable from one year to the next.

Segmentation of the paper and cardboard packaging sector

Corrugated cardboard Material used mainly for the production of boxes used for the transport and storage of goods, or as secondary packaging to contain products that are in turn packed in other (primary) packaging.Corrugated cardboard packaging is the most representative of the category, with a market share of 73%. This type of packaging is the most popular due to its use, and it is also the heaviest in the category. It grew by 2.2 per cent in 2024, effectively leading the production recovery of the entire industry, with around 4,173 t/000 produced. Foreign trade shows diversified trends: a negative trend for imports, which are not very representative (-7.2%), but a recovery for exports, which grew by 4.3%.

Stiff cardboard boxes and cases

These account for 14.5% of paper and cardboard packaging and can be made of 100 per cent cardboard or combined with PE film or aluminium film. The combination of plastic film or aluminium film is usually necessary to give the cardboard a more attractive appearance. This is the case in the cosmetics industry, for example, or for special requirements related to use. For this category, performance in 2024 was positive on several fronts, with production at +1.6% for a total of 825 tonnes/000, exports +0.2% and imports +14.2%. Mainly used as secondary packaging, its uses break down as follows: 44.7% for food products, 20.8% for beverages, 11.7% for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The remaining 22.8% falls into the category of other non-food products, which includes small and large household appliances, cookware and kitchen utensils, household cleaning products, furniture accessories and other similar items.

Large paper sacks

This type of packaging is mainly used in the construction industry. According to Gipsac (one of Assografici's Specialisation Groups), in 2024 the sector showed a positive trend in terms of production, closing the year with an increase of 5.5 per cent to 193,000 tonnes. Imports fell by 1.9%, while exports rose by 9.7%.

Other sectors – cellulose packaging

This includes various types of packaging such as cellulose drums and tubes for packing bottles, cellulose tubes for household paper, wrapping paper, parchment and sulphite wrapping paper, corrugated paper, small bags, shopping bags, automatic wrapping, paper backing sheets for garments, labels, stiff cardboard and cardboard platforms and display units, etc. The segment showed a smaller increase, closing 2024 with +0.7%, standing at around 363,000 tonnes.

Predominantly paper rigid laminated containers

We also include laminated packaging predominantly made of paper in this analysis, although this is analysed in Packaging in Figures in a separate chapter.The sector has been showing a measure of stability for several years now. In 2024, the beverages sector, especially beverages with this type of packaging, recorded a slight rise (+0.5%).

Recycling of cellulose packaging

The results of analyses by COMIECO, the Consortium of the CONAI system that ensures the collection of paper and cardboard packaging, show that 3.8 million tonnes of paper and cardboard packaging were collected in 2024, an increase of about 130,000 tonnes over the previous year. The recycling rate in 2024 rose to 92.5% (in 2023 it was 90%).