Discover Top 20 Companies in Recycling Paper and Cardboard Market: Global Share, Market Size, Revenue Report (2024–2035)
RELEASE DATE: Sep 2025 Author: Spherical InsightsRequest Free Sample Speak to Analyst
Description
According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The Global Recycling Paper and Cardboard Market Size is projected To Grow from USD 47.7 Billion in 2024 to USD 95.11 Billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 6.47% during the forecast period 2025–2035. The considerable development can be linked to heightened environmental consciousness, strict government regulations, and improvements in recycling technologies. The globe faces issues related to waste management and environmental sustainability; the recycling of paper and cardboard sectors is rising as a crucial force in promoting eco-friendly solutions.
Introduction
The Recycling Paper and Cardboard Market Size industry includes gathering, classifying, processing and reprocessing used paper and cardboard materials into new paper products. It plays a vital role in the worldwide recycling sector, focused on minimising environmental effects by preserving natural resources, decreasing landfill waste, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This market encompasses different kinds of recyclable paper materials, including corrugated cardboard, newspapers, mixed paper, office paper, magazines, and speciality papers. The recycling procedure generally consists of collection through curbside initiatives, business pickups, or drop-off locations, then sorting, shredding, pulping, washing, and occasionally bleaching to create reusable fibres for new paper goods. The market is propelled by heightened awareness of sustainability, government policies encouraging waste minimisation, and rising demand for environmentally-friendly packaging, especially in retail, e-commerce, food and beverage, and healthcare industries.
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Recycling Paper and Cardboard Market Size & Statistics
- The Market Size for Recycling Paper and Cardboard Was Estimated to be worth USD 47.7 Billion in 2024.
- The Market Size is Going to Expand at a CAGR of 6.47% between 2025 and 2035.
- The Global Recycling Paper and Cardboard Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 95.11 Billion by 2035.
- Asia Pacific is anticipated to generate the highest demand during the forecast period in the recycling paper and cardboard Market.
- Europe is projected to grow the fastest during the forecast period in the recycling of paper and cardboard Market.
Regional growth and demand
Europe is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period in the recycling paper and cardboard market. Europe has a strong recycling industry with the rigorous environmental rules and recycling goals that have driven regional market expansion. Nations such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands possess elevated recycling rates and sophisticated recycling technologies. The European market is anticipated to witness substantial expansion, fueled by ongoing governmental backing and a rising demand for eco-friendly products.
Asia Pacific is expected to generate the highest demand during the forecast period in the recycling paper and cardboard market. The regional market is experiencing swift expansion in the paper and cardboard recycling industry. Further, the growing industrialisation, urbanisation, and government efforts to encourage recycling are fueling the market's growth. China, India, and Japan are major contributors in the region, making significant investments in recycling technologies and infrastructure. The Asia Pacific market is fueled by increasing environmental consciousness and regulatory backing.
Top 10 trends in the Recycling Paper and Cardboard Market
- Growing Environmental Awareness and Sustainability Focus
- Stringent Government Regulations and Policies
- Expansion of E-commerce and Packaging Waste
- Technological Innovation in Sorting and Processing
- Rising Demand for High Quality Recycled Fibres
- Increase in Circular Economy Initiatives
- Growth in Developing Economies
- Innovation in Recycled Product Applications
- Challenges of Contamination and Collection Efficiency
- Volatility in Raw Material Prices
1. Growing Environmental Awareness and Sustainability Focus
Rising interest from consumers and businesses in sustainability is driving the demand for recycled paper and cardboard, decreasing dependence on virgin fibres.
2. Stringent Government Regulations and Policies
Compulsory recycling goals, extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiatives, and prohibitions on single-use plastics enhance the expansion of paper and cardboard recycling.
3. Expansion of E Commerce and Packaging Waste
The surge in online shopping raises the need for corrugated boxes, which are easily recyclable, enhancing the recycling of the paper and cardboard industry.
4. Technological Innovation in Sorting and Processing
Improvements like AI-driven sorting technologies and enhanced deinking methods boost fibre recovery quality and recycling effectiveness.
5. Rising Demand for High-Quality Recycled Fibres
Paper mills opt for recycled fibre that possesses greater purity and strength to adhere to quality requirements for packaging and printing papers.
Empower your strategic planning:
Stay informed with the latest industry insights and market trends to identify new opportunities and drive growth in the recycling paper and cardboard market. To explore more in-depth trends, insights, and forecasts, please refer to our detailed report.
Top 20 Companies Leading the Recycling Paper and Cardboard Market
- International Paper Company
- Smurfit Kappa Group
- WestRock Company
- Mondi Group
- DS Smith Plc
- Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited
- Stora Enso Oyj
- UPM-Kymmene Corporation
- Oji Holdings Corporation
- Sappi Limited
- Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
- Packaging Corporation of America
- Cascades Inc.
- Sonoco Products Company
- Pratt Industries, Inc.
- Klabin S.A.
- Georgia-Pacific LLC
- Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Limited
- Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.
- Metsa Board Corporation
1. International Paper Company
Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
International Paper Company (IP) is a key participant on the worldwide stage within the paper and packaging sector. Its business model relies on a vertically integrated value chain that encompasses sustainable forest management, pulp and paper production, packaging and industrial product manufacturing, and, importantly, recycling. The operations of the company are categorised into three primary business segments: Industrial Packaging, Global Cellulose Fibres, and Printing Papers. IP's strategy primarily emphasises sustainability and promoting a circular economy, with recycling being a fundamental aspect of this approach.
2. Smurfit Kappa Group
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Smurfit Kappa Group is a worldwide frontrunner in eco-friendly paper-based packaging. The business model of the company is based on a well-integrated closed-loop strategy, which is essential to its dedication to a circular economy. This model includes all phases of the packaging lifecycle, starting from sustainable forestry and paper manufacturing to converting and, crucially, recycling. The firm operates in more than 40 nations throughout Europe and the Americas, featuring a large network of paper mills, converting facilities, and recycling operations. The recycling initiatives are crucial to the company’s sustainability plan. Smurfit Kappa emphasises that more than 75% of its main raw material is recycled fibre.
3. WestRock Company
Headquarters: Georgia, USA
WestRock, currently known as Smurfit Westrock, is a significant and direct participant in the recycled paper and cardboard industry. The recycling activities of the company are not an independent business line but an essential part of its main strategy and a crucial element of its closed-loop business model. Smurfit Westrocks Recycling division handles the collection and processing of recovered fibre, which is subsequently delivered to the company's own paper mills to be transformed into the raw material for new paper and packaging. This cohesive strategy guarantees a consistent and safe supply of raw materials for its activities, while also fostering sustainability. The firm ranks among the largest recyclers globally of paper and cardboard, with the ability to handle roughly 14 million tons of reclaimed fibre each year.
4. Mondi Group
Headquarters: Weybridge, United Kingdom
Mondi Group is a global company specialising in packaging and paper, based in England. The firm’s business model relies on a vertically integrated value chain, encompassing forest management, pulp and paper production, and the creation and fabrication of various packaging and paper solutions. Mondi’s activities are structured into three main business divisions: Corrugated Packaging, Flexible Packaging, and Uncoated Fine Paper. A key element of its approach is sustainability, emphasising circularity and efficient resource use. A crucial aspect of Mondi’s position in the recycling sector is its emphasis on developing products that are designed to be recyclable. This is a component of its Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) sustainability strategy.
5. DS Smith Plc
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
DS Smith was a significant and direct participant in the recycled paper and cardboard industry. Its recycling division was not merely an independent service but a vital and integrated component of its core business model. The company's approach was founded on the concept of box-to-box in 14 days, a closed-loop system that emphasises its dedication to a circular economy. The sustainability strategy, titled Now and Next, focused on this principle, aiming to produce packaging that is 100% recyclable or reusable and to involve millions in the circular economy. The collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation strengthened the company's reputation as a leader in this field.
Are you ready to discover more about the recycling paper and cardboard market?
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the leading companies operating in the global recycling paper and cardboard market. It includes a comparative assessment based on their product portfolios, business overviews, geographical footprint, strategic initiatives, market segment share, and SWOT analysis. Each company is profiled using a standardized format that includes:
Company Profiles
- International Paper Company
- Business Overview
- Company Snapshot
- Products Overview
- Company Market Share Analysis
- Company Coverage Portfolio
- Financial Analysis
- Recent Developments
- Merger and Acquisitions
- SWOT Analysis
- Smurfit Kappa Group
- WestRock Company
- Mondi Group
- DS Smith Plc
- Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited
- Stora Enso Oyj
- UPM-Kymmene Corporation
- Oji Holdings Corporation
- Sappi Limited
- Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
- Packaging Corporation of America
- Cascades Inc.
- Sonoco Products Company
- Pratt Industries, Inc.
- Klabin S.A.
- Georgia-Pacific LLC
- Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Limited
- Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd.
- Metsa Board Corporation
- Others
Conclusion
The Paper and Cardboard Recycling Market Size is expected to expand from USD 47.7 Billion in 2024 to USD 95.11 Billion by 2035, with a CAGR of 6.47%, fueled by increasing environmental consciousness, regulatory measures, and improvements in recycling technologies. The market encompasses the gathering, categorisation, treatment, and re-treatment of diverse paper products such as corrugated cardboard, newspapers, mixed paper, office paper, and speciality papers. These firms excel through extensive recycling systems, eco-friendly manufacturing methods, and worldwide distribution capabilities. They engage in advancing innovations in recycling technologies and sustainable packaging solutions to meet environmental regulations and increasing demand, especially from the e-commerce and food/beverage industries. Europe is emerging as the quickest growing area, propelled by stringent environmental regulations, whereas the Asia Pacific leads in demand because of swift industrial growth and supportive regulations.
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