Cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The Dutch market for corrugated paperboard cartons, boxes, and cases expanded from $1 125 million in 2018 to $1 208 million by 2021, supported primarily by the rapid growth of e-commerce, which significantly increased demand for shipping packaging. This trend was reinforced by a strong industry focus on sustainability, leading to innovations like custom-sized boxes to reduce material waste and the promotion of recyclable materials. Major players invested in eco-friendly packaging solutions, helping to sustain market value even as production volumes experienced some fluctuations.

Regulatory developments, particularly the EU's proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) published in late 2022, set stringent future requirements for minimizing packaging, limiting empty space, and enhancing recyclability by 2030. This prompted significant industry investments in sustainable production and recycling infrastructure, such as Tetra Pak's new recycling facilities in the Netherlands. These factors, alongside continued demand from online retail, contributed to a substantial market surge, with the total market size reaching $1 767 million in 2023.

The market value adjusted to $1 584 million in 2024, coinciding with the opening of De Jong Verpakking's state-of-the-art corrugated board factory in Europe, a major investment aimed at increasing automated production capacity. This period also reflected the ongoing industry adaptation to evolving sustainability regulations and cost pressures from energy and logistics, which influenced overall market dynamics after the peak in 2023.

Production corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, production of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard in the Netherlands has rebounded. In 2021, output reached 1 136 million US dollars, representing a significant 10.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 4.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest point was in 2020 at 1 026 million US dollars, following the largest decline of 3.1% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, the Netherlands produced 649.6 thousand tonnes of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard, showing a modest 2.1% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 4.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The largest decrease occurred in 2020 at 1.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard from the Netherlands have grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 827 thousand tonnes, marking a substantial 47.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports expanded by 39.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 541 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the export structure in volume terms was highly concentrated, with Germany and Belgium together accounting for 80.9% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, cross-border shipments of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard from the Netherlands have turned upward. In 2021, exports amounted to 859.9 million US dollars, a sharp 68.0% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 30%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 511.8 million US dollars, after the largest decline of 19.5% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Germany, Belgium, and France formed the core markets for exports in value terms, representing 37.9%, 31.6%, and 7.9% of total flows respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.4% of all export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard into the Netherlands have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 909 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 6.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports declined by 10.2%, with an average annual decrease of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany dominated imports in volume terms, accounting for 78.5% of total flows into the Netherlands, while other countries each held much smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of reduction, imports of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard into the Netherlands have increased. In 2021, imports reached 931.4 million US dollars, a 35.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 33.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.1%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 689.9 million US dollars, following the largest decline of 0.7% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2018-2021, Germany, Belgium, and Poland consistently remained the main sources for imports in value terms, representing 64.5%, 13.5%, and 4.9% of total flows respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 82.8% of all import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021