Corrugated paper and paperboard market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian corrugated paper and paperboard market entered the period with strong momentum, driven by robust demand from the food, appliance, furniture, and metalworking sectors, coupled with the rising adoption of e-commerce, which boosted the need for delivery packaging. This led to a market volume of 2 864 thousand tons in 2018. By 2019, the market surged to 4 525 thousand tons, a year that also saw increasing average European prices and the entry of new Polish producers influencing market dynamics. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted this trajectory; while e-commerce and home deliveries increased packaging demand, overall market volume fell sharply to 2 146 thousand tons due to broader supply and demand shifts.

Recovery took hold in 2021 as market volume rebounded to 2 938 thousand tons. This was fueled by strong global demand for recycled paper, particularly in Asia, alongside continued e-commerce growth. The launch of a new integrated digital printing production line by Grifal expanded domestic manufacturing capacity. Growth continued into 2022, with volume reaching 3 507 thousand tons, supported by technological innovations like integrated digital printing and rising consumer preference for eco-friendly packaging, including the development of new segments such as the specialty cArtù® corrugated board.

In 2023, market volume contracted to 2 527 thousand tons, reflecting demand difficulties in the early quarters and a 4.8% drop in packaging production, alongside a moderate decline in raw material prices. By 2024, the market showed a moderate recovery to 2 781 thousand tons, sustained by steady demand from the food and beverage sectors, the enduring influence of e-commerce, and the emphasis on environmental sustainability. At the European level, acquisitions and investments in sustainable and digital technologies, such as Mondi Group's purchase of operations in Germany and Benelux, underscored ongoing market evolution.

Production corrugated paper and paperboard in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of corrugated paper and paperboard has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 808 million US dollars, marking a 27.9% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30.9%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 2 164 thousand tonnes of corrugated paper and paperboard, a 52.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 35.7%, with an average annual decline of 13.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 4 546 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 57.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports corrugated paper and paperboard from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of corrugated paper and paperboard have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 21 004 tonnes, down 8.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.5%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 27 623 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 17.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 16.6% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Slovenia, and Spain were the main buyers of Italy's corrugated paper and paperboard exports by volume. France accounted for 47.9% of exports, Slovenia for 19.2%, and Spain for 11.9%, together making up 79.1% of total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's exports of corrugated paper and paperboard have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 28 352 thousand US dollars, an 8.2% decrease from the previous year. The peak value was in 2018 at 34 681 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 23.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, Slovenia, and Spain remained the top buyers of Italy's corrugated paper and paperboard exports by value. France accounted for 53.3% of export value, Slovenia for 12.9%, and Spain for 10.4%, together representing 76.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports corrugated paper and paperboard to Italy

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Italy's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard increased in 2020. Imports reached approximately 2 399 tonnes, up 5.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 34.6%, with an average annual decline of 13.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 2 268 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 31.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom dominated Italy's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard by volume. Germany accounted for 55.4% of imports, France for 16.7%, and the United Kingdom for 8.9%, together comprising 81.0% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 4 334 thousand US dollars, remaining largely stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.2%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France formed the core of Italy's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard by value. Germany accounted for 43.0% of import value, the United Kingdom for 21.6%, and France for 17.8%, together making up 82.4% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020