France Containerboard Market Overview, 2029

The containerboard market in France is well-established and at the forefront of the country's packaging industry, helped much by demand from end-use industries such as food and beverages, e-commerce, and manufacturing activities. Similar to most of Europe, the French market remains driven by national commitments to sustainability and recycling. The French government plays an instrumental role in shaping the containerboard market through strict legislation in terms of waste reduction and preservation of the environment. Key legislation includes the Circular Economy Law of 2020 and the Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law, setting ambitious targets for recycling and phasing out single-use plastics by 2040. In addition, Extended Producer Responsibility makes producers financially and operationally responsible for their products from cradle to grave and encourages the use of recyclable materials like containerboard. Such regulations not only drive demand for containerboard but also provide impetus to innovation in the area of sustainable packaging solutions. A number of major players operate in the French containerboard market and contribute to its strength and competitiveness. Smurfit Kappa, the leading global paper-based packaging solutions provider, holds a strong foothold in France, where it operates multiple production facilities. International Paper, one of the largest producers of containerboard worldwide, runs a large mill in Saillat-sur-Vienne. Another Packaging company is DS Smith, very well represented in the French market, providing impetus related to sustainable packaging and closed-loop recycling. Providing diversity in the market is Stora Enso, a Finnish renewable materials company represented by its containerboard product range. Country-wise, the commitment of France towards sustainability can be judged from its high rate of recycling and high public awareness about the environment. This cultural and regulatory environment supports the prospects of the containerboard market due to a strong preference by consumers and businesses for eco-friendly packaging solutions.

According to the research report, "France Containerboard Market Outlook, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the France containerboard market is anticipated to add to more than USD 1000 Million by 2024–29. France has posted some good resistance in its economy, with a stable growth rate in GDP that sustains consumer expenditure. With improving businesses and disposable incomes, demand for packaged goods also rises. This feeds through to spur the containerboard market, as food and beverage industries, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals increase their demand on reliable and sustainable packaging solutions. The exponential growth in the e-commerce industry in France has been followed by its repercussions on the containerboard market. Online shopping is considered to be among the most preferred modes of buying for any consumer today. This, in turn, raises the demand for better and more protective packaging solutions. Containerboard finds massive applications in the manufacturing of shipping boxes that become essential for logistic needs of e-commerce businesses. Demand for containerboard surges with main retailers lapping up online platforms. The leap forward in containerboard means advanced production efficiency, quality, and sustainability. Digital printing, new automated manufacturing processes, and new recycling technologies keep manufacturers at the very forefront of developing high-quality, individually tailored packaging solutions. New markets, in particular, those of packing specific products like organics, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, are opportunities. Consumer trends in health drive demand for 'green' or environment-friendly packaging. By manufacturing to supply containerboard to these niche markets, manufacturers can diversify their range of products and create better market presence.

The recycled paper segment accounts for the lion's share in the French container board market, and there exist some pivotal factors contributing to this. The supremacy of recycled paper is because of the stringent environmental regulations and goals enshrined to promote sustainability in France, as well as all over Europe. This will turn to the recycled paper due to its eco-friendly profile, whereby it considerably reduces the requirement of virgin wood, thus saving natural resources and resulting in minimal waste. The well-established infrastructure demanded for the collection and processing of recycled paper makes it relatively cheaper, hence a lure to many manufacturers. In addition, French consumers and businesses give more importance to sustainability; therefore, they raise the demand for recycled paper products. Virgin fiber segment growth is driven by its unique benefits. Virgin fiber is applied in high performance and heavy-duty applications because it has more strength, durability, and is of higher quality than recovered paper. Firms relying on solid packaging under which fall industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, or the premium part of the food industry require virgin fiber to protect and preserve products. Innovative practices and certification schemes for responsible forestry are addressing environmental concerns and increasing the appeal of virgin fiber. As French industries continue to need high-quality, reliable packaging for a myriad of applications, interest in virgin fiber will only continue to grow.

The food and beverage industry dominates the French container board market because it has a high requirement for packaging solutions that preserve the freshness and safety of products. Food and beverage requires strong and moisture-resistant packaging to prolong shelf life, ensure product quality at the time of delivery, and guarantee passage through intricate transportation and retail systems. This sector consumes a large volume of produces, as they are broadly distributed via France's comprehensive grocery and food service networks.

The processed food segment is growing significantly because consumer behavior is shifting toward convenient and ready-to-eat foods. Such changes increase the demand for container board packaging to protect the product during transportation and elongate its shelf life. With the increasing demand for ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat prepared foods and snacks, processed food is directly linked with higher quality and more protective packaging solutions.



The ready-to-eat food segment, although not as dominant, is important as it requires packaging that is both convenient and efficient. Ready-to-eat products demand packaging that preserves freshness and is easy for consumers to use, driving the need for specialized container board solutions. One such category is poultry products, where packaging is necessary for hygiene and the handling of perishable goods. In this respect, container board used for poultry packaging has to meet the strict food safety standards while providing durability and protection during distribution. Besides these, the cosmetics and personal care industries use container board for aesthetic and green packaging. This segment has a growing preference for premium and eco-friendly packaging solutions that offer added brand image and consumer appeal among the eco-conscious.

The pharmaceutical industry relies on container board packaging for safety, compliance, and protection of sensitive medicinal products. The stringent regulative environment requires high standards of packaging integrity. The textile industries, both woven and non-woven, utilize container board in the packaging of raw materials and finished goods. In this case, container board is perfect for use in relation to textiles because of its strength and versatility. The electrical and electronic industries including cell phones, televisions, and computers are strong and protective in terms of their packaging to take care that such high-value and sensitive electronics are well-protected during shipment and storage. The others category includes a wealth of applications in which the versatility of container board can help various kinds of packaging in multiple industries. This is a wide category that might denote container board's ability to adapt itself in various challenges and requirements in different kinds of packaging.

Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Containerboard market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Material
• Recycled Paper
• Virgin Fibre

By End-use
• Food & Beverage (Fruits & Vegetables, Processed Food, Ready-to-eat-Food, Poultry Products and Others)
• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Pharmaceuticals
• Textile Industry (Woven and Non-Woven)
• Electrical & Electronics (Smartphones, Television, Computers and Others)
• Others

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Containerboard industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.