Folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Austrian market for folding cartons and boxes remained stable at 115.9 thousand tons, characterized by established domestic producers like Mayr-Mellnhof and a high export share of around 80%. Market volume then declined to 106.2 thousand tons in 2019, a year where the high paper and board recycling rate of approximately 85% continued to support local manufacturers, and initial discussions on the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive began.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp increase in online orders, boosting demand for shipping cartons and lifting market volume to 118.1 thousand tons. This growth continued into 2021, reaching 123.5 thousand tons, sustained by e-commerce logistics needs. In December 2021, amendments to the Waste Management Act and Packaging Ordinance introduced binding targets for reusable systems, including a requirement for 35% of large retail outlets to offer reusable beverages from 2024.

Regulatory developments shaped the subsequent period. From 2022, preparations focused on a mandatory authorized representative for foreign shippers and direct sellers, which took effect in January 2023. The industry also adapted to the upcoming 'tethered caps' rule for single-use plastic bottles from July 2024. Investments in new sorting and recycling capacity, such as the TriPlast facility in Upper Austria, enhanced processing capabilities for paper and board packaging.

Production folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Austria, the production value of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard reached 577.5 million US dollars in 2020, marking an 8.4% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 9.9%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Austria's production of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 226.7 thousand tonnes, up 5.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 18.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.7%.

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

Exports folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

Austria's export volume of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 151.1 thousand tonnes, showing a slight increase of 0.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports expanded by 20%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Austria's exports in kind were Germany, Poland, and Switzerland, which together accounted for 63.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Austria's export value of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard declined. In 2020, exports totaled 379.9 million US dollars, down 1.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 6.3%, while the peak value occurred in 2019 at 386.5 million US dollars.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Poland were consistently the main destinations for Austria's exports in value terms, with shares of 32.5%, 16.1%, and 14.2% respectively. Together, they represented 62.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

Austria imported approximately 42.5 thousand tonnes of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard in 2020, up 1.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 4.6%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.0%. The peak volume was reached in 2018 at 42.8 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Czechia remained the primary suppliers of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard to Austria, accounting for 49.1%, 16.6%, and 6.4% of imports in kind respectively. Together, they formed 72.2% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Austria's import value of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard decreased. In 2020, imports amounted to 126.9 million US dollars, a moderate decline of 5.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 13.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 14.4%, while the highest value was reached in 2019 at 134.3 million US dollars.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland were the main sources of Austria's imports in value terms, with shares of 46.4%, 15.7%, and 5.8% respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 67.8% of total import flows.

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

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