René Muschter
Research Expert covering Industry & Mobility
Global paper industry - statistics & facts
The boom of online shopping, takeout food, and the use of disposable takeaway cups have made paper packaging and board the most produced type of paper in the world. In 2024, these paper products represented almost two thirds of the global paper production. The two largest paper-producing countries that year were China and the United States. While paper production in the United States has been declining in recent decades, paper production in China has soared and reached a high of 140 million metric tons in 2024. This was roughly twice the output of the U.S. that year.Â
How the global paper industry has changed
The paper industry has seen considerable change in recent decades due to a shift in consumer behavior and increased digitalization. Just 20 years ago, newsprint accounted for 12 percent of global paper and paperboard production, but the transition to digital media platforms has seen its share of global production fall below three percent. Printing and writing papers have also been negatively impacted, with the annual global output of these paper grades reducing by 30 percent since 2010.
In contrast, the global production of paper packaging has thrived in the digital age, especially since the e-commerce boom. For example, the annual production of corrugated case material, which plays a central role in e-commerce, has increased almost 30 percent in the past decade and now accounts for 45 percent of global paper and paperboard production. The demand for corrugated case material is expected to continue growing over the coming decade to surpass 244 million metric tons by 2032, an increase of 19 percent compared to 2024 levels.Â
Leading global paper companies
Paper companies are involved in the manufacturing of various grades of paper, such as containerboard, tissues, printing papers, and newsprint. The largest paper company worldwide based on revenue is Ireland-based Smurfit WestRock, the merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock since 2024. U.S.-based Kimberly-Clark, a leading producer of paper-based consumer products for personal care, such as tissues, wipes, diapers, and other feminine hygiene products, follows as the second-largest paper company. Other major paper manufacturers include International Paper, Stora Enso Oyj, and UPM-Kymmene Oyj.Â
The role of paper remains important in the digital age, with this ubiquitous material still used daily for many purposes worldwide. Indeed, the global production of paper and cardboard has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, and it is projected that this trend will continue.
