Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £6.2bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
A booming UK e-commerce sector provides lucrative growth packages
- The fast-moving consumer goods sector is the primary driver of cardboard packaging and paper bag manufacturing revenue, with the prevalence of e-commerce elevating revenue prospects, particularly since the pandemic.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The UK plastic packaging tax reduces the competitive threat of plastic packaging goods manufacturing
- From April 2024, the UK government increased the plastic packaging tax from £210.82 per tonne to £217.85 and will keep raising the rate year-by-year. This plastic packaging tax applies to manufactured or imported plastic components that exceed 10 tonnes and contain less than 30% recycled plastic.
Biggest companies in the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Smurfit Kappa UK Ltd | 1,044.1 | |
DS Smith plc | 813.9 | |
SAICA Pack UK Ltd | 452.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Paper bags and sacks, Corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and cases and Non-corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and cases. Paper bags and sacks is the largest segment of the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Sales of corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and cases climb in line with e-commerce activity
- Corrugated cartons, boxes and cases consist of three layers of cardboard sheeting: one corrugated sheet in the middle of two flat sheets. Such packages are more durable than standard containers.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry manufacture cardboard packaging and paper bags and sacks. Cardboard packaging includes corrugated and solid cardboard boxes, folding cartons, storage boxes and customised cardboard containers. The industry also produces box files, letter trays, storage boxes, paper sacks and paperboard bags.
What's included in this industry?
Corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and casesNon-corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and casesCorrugated cardboard in rolls or sheetsPaper bags and sacksOffice suppliesCompanies
Smurfit Kappa UK LtdDS Smith plcSAICA Pack UK LtdPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CORRUGATED CARDBOARDRIGID BOXESSOLID CARDBOARDE-COMMERCEFAST-MOVING CONSUMER GOODSIndustry Code
SIC 17.21 - Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Plastic bag levy pushes paper packaging sales. Amid heightening environmental concerns, the UK government’s imposition of a levy on single-use plastic bags has bolstered the ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
E-commerce surge boosts corrugated packaging sales. The industry benefitted from the COVID-19-accelerated shift to online shopping, as increased online retail and the need fo...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The East and West Midlands are ideal regions for manufacturers. Centrally-located UK regions, offering access to transportation networks, employee bases and manufacturing hub...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Sustainability practices shape the industry’s competitiveness. Adhering to environmental regulations set by Defra and achieving certifications like ISO 14001 bolsters a compa...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Price strategy drives Smurfit Kappa's profit. Leveraging high wood pulp prices, this packaging giant manages to pass increased paper prices to customers, successfully offsett...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Smurfit Kappa UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of DS Smith plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of SAICA Pack UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Smurfit Kappa UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for DS Smith plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for SAICA Pack UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
ISO 14001 certification drives sustainability in the industry. This globally recognised environmental standard encourages companies to optimise resource use and reduce waste,...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Manufacturers offload input inflation and high energy prices onto downstream markets. Manufacturers have faced relentless overseas competition and skyrocketing wood pulp pric...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £6.2bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 397 businesses in the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing market in United Kingdom are Smurfit Kappa UK Ltd, DS Smith plc and SAICA Pack UK Ltd
What does the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and cases and Non-corrugated cardboard boxes, cartons and cases are part of the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Smurfit Kappa UK Ltd.
How competitive is the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Cardboard Packaging & Paper Bag Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Complementors
View all industries in United Kingdom
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
