The value of e-commerce packaging is expected to reach $73.3 billion by 2028 as a result of sustained rapid growth
Demand for e-commerce packaging is forecast to grow at 9.9% in 2023, before dropping back to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% across 2024-2028
Sustainable corrugated board will make up over 80% of the 2028 value of sustainable e-commerce packaging, representing 45 million tons of recyclable material.
What does the report cover?
An examination of the e-commerce packaging market considered from a sustainability perspective
Observations of the key methods used to minimize the environmental impact of packaging for e-commerce shipment, with focus on the measures that converters/brands can make
The current and future demand for sustainable packaging materials globally across the 2018-28 period via qualitative analysis
In-depth analysis of current and future demand for sustainable packaging materials broken down by end-use, packaging type and geographic region.
Our exclusive content
Apart from sustainability, possibly the most pressing issue facing the e-commerce market is returns. Latest reports indicate that this cost the industry over $800 billion in 2022, which is nearly double the level for 2020
Free returns may become a thing of the past, with over 40% of retailers now charging for returns; this report examines the sustainable implications.
What will you discover?
Following dramatic growth during the pandemic, e-commerce is expected to remain a healthy industry, but slow over the medium term, with overall value demand for packaging maintaining a 10% growth rate per annum over the study period
Returnability of packaging is of growing importance, with many new designs entering the market in attempts to simplify the process for consumers, and at the same time, streamline the logistics for the e-retailer.
The Smithers methodology
This report is based on extensive primary and secondary research. Primary research consisted of targeted interviews with material suppliers, converters and experts drawn from key markets. This was supported by secondary research in the form of extensive literature analysis of published data, official government statistics, domestic and international trade organisation data, company websites, industry reports, trade press articles, presentations, and attendance at trade events.
Who should buy the report?
Raw material suppliers
Equipment and machinery suppliers
Packaging converters
E-commerce brand owners and retailers
Industry consultants and analysts
About the author
Stephen Harrod spent 11 years building a market research company in South Africa, focused on the paper and packaging industry there, following which he spent six years in the paper industry with Mondi and JAC Labels before relocating to the UK. He has been authoring reports for Smithers since 2006, with a focus on global paper and packaging markets.
Table of Contents
Executive summary
Introduction and methodology
Introduction
Objectives
Scope
Methodology
Definitions
Materials
The e-commerce packaging marketplace
Introduction
Sustainability
The global e-commerce market
The influence of brands on e-commerce packaging
The need for returnability
Increasing premiumisation in e-commerce packaging
The importance of protection in e-commerce fulfilment
Omni-channel and its role in e-commerce packaging
Branding in e-commerce packaging
Traceability and provenance
Anti-counterfeiting and brand protection
Regulations and legislation
Design for sustainable e-commerce packaging
Introduction
Key trends and developments
Recycled and recyclable
Rightsizing and fit-to-product boxes
Downgauging and lightweighting
Reducing unnecessary packaging
Compostability
New formats
Separation and deconstruction
Protective secondary packaging
Subscription products and services
Global market for sustainable packaging materials in e-commerce 2018-28
Introduction
The market for sustainable e-commerce materials, 2018-28
Overview of demand for e-commerce packaging
Focus on sustainable e-commerce packaging
Corrugated board
Flexible plastic
Protective mailers
Secondary protective packaging
End-use applications for sustainable e-commerce packaging 2018-28
Introduction
End-use overview
Fashion
Consumer electronics, books and media
Food & beverages
Personal care/cosmetics
Furniture and large appliances
Toys, hobbies and sports
Geographic markets for sustainable e-commerce packaging 2018-28
Introduction
Overview
Demand for e-commerce packaging
North America
The state of e-commerce penetration
Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
United States
Canada
Mexico
South and Central America
The state of e-commerce penetration
Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
Brazil
Western Europe
The state of e-commerce penetration
Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
United Kingdom
Eastern Europe
The state of e-commerce penetration
Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
Poland
Russia
Middle East and Africa
The state of e-commerce penetration
Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
Asia-Pacific
The state of e-commerce penetration
Sustainable e-commerce packaging demand
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Tables
Global e-commerce growth, 2014-23 ($ billion)
E-commerce share of total global retail sales, 2015-23 (%)
Top 10 economies in the UNCTAD B2C E-commerce Index 2020
Global demand for e-commerce packaging materials by region, 2018-28, value & volume
Global demand for e-commerce packaging materials by material type, 2018-28, value & volume
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials by material type, 2023 & 2028 volume
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by material, 2023 & 2028, value ($ million)
Demand for corrugated board for e-commerce packaging by region, 2018-28, volume & value
Demand for sustainable corrugated board e-commerce packaging by region, 2023 & 2028, volume
Demand for corrugated board e-commerce packaging by flute size, 2023-23, volume ('000 tonnes)
Demand for corrugated board e-commerce packaging by kraft type, 2023-28, volume ('000 tonnes)
Demand for sustainable corrugated board e-commerce packaging by kraft type, 2023 & 2028, volume
Demand for corrugated board for e-commerce packaging by end use, 2018-28, volume & value
Demand for sustainable corrugated board e-commerce packaging by end use, 2023 & 2028, volume
Demand for flexible plastic for e-commerce packaging by region, 2018-28, volume & value
Demand for sustainable flexible plastic e-commerce packaging by region, 2023 & 2028, volume (million m2)
Demand for flexible plastic for e-commerce packaging by end use, 2018-28, volume (million m2) & value
Demand for sustainable Flexible plastic e-commerce packaging by end use, 2023 & 2028, volume (million m2)
Demand for Protective mailers for e-commerce packaging by region, 2018-28, volume (million m2) & value
Demand for sustainable protective mailers e-commerce packaging by region, 2023 & 2028, volume (million m2)
Demand for protective mailers for e-commerce packaging by end use, 2018-28, volume (million m2) & value
Demand for sustainable protective mailers e-commerce packaging by end use, 2023 & 2028, volume (million m2)
Demand for secondary protective packaging for e-commerce packaging by region, 2018-28, volume (million cubic metres) & value
Demand for secondary protective packaging for e-commerce packaging by type, 2023, value ($ million)
Demand for sustainable secondary protective packaging e-commerce packaging by region, 2023, volume (million cubic metres)
Demand for sustainable secondary protective packaging e-commerce packaging by region, 2028, volume (million cubic metres)
Demand for secondary protective packaging for e-commerce packaging by end use, 2018-28, volume (million cubic metres)
Demand for secondary protective packaging for e-commerce packaging by end use, 2018-28, value ($ million)
Demand for sustainable secondary protective packaging e-commerce packaging by end use, 2023, volume (million cubic metres)
Demand for sustainable secondary protective packaging e-commerce packaging by end use, 2028, volume (million cubic metres)
Demand for e-commerce packaging by end use, 2018-28, value ($ million)
Demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by end use, 2023 & 2028, value ($ million)
Demand for e-commerce packaging by the fashion market, 2018-28, value ($ million) & volume
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the Fashion market, 2023 & 2028, value ($ million)
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the Fashion market, 2023 & 2028, volume
Demand for e-commerce packaging by the consumer electronics, books and media market, 2018-28, value ($ million) & volume
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the consumer electronics, books and media market, 2023 & 2028, value ($ million)
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the consumer electronics, books and media market, 2023 & 2028, volume
Demand for e-commerce packaging by the Food & beverages market, 2018-28, value ($ million) & volume
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the food & beverages market, 2023 & 2028, value ($ million)
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the food & beverages market, 2023 & 2028, volume
Demand for e-commerce packaging by the personal care/cosmetics market, 2018-28, value ($ million) & volume
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the personal care/cosmetics market, 2023 & 2028, value ($ million)
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the personal care/cosmetics market, 2023 & 2028, volume
Demand for e-commerce packaging by the furniture and large appliances market, 2018-28, value ($ million) & volume
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the furniture and large appliances market, 2023 & 2028, value ($ million)
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the furniture and large appliances market, 2023 & 2028, volume
Demand for e-commerce packaging by the toys, hobbies and sports market, 2018-28, value ($ million) & volume
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the toys, hobbies and sports market, 2023 & 2028, value ($ million)
Global demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by the toys, hobbies and sports market, 2023 & 2028, volume
Global e-commerce packaging demand by region and country, 2018-28, value ($ million)
Ranking of national markets for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials, 2023 ($ million)
Ranking of national markets for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials, 2023 (% of total)
Ranking of national markets for sustainable e-commerce packaging materials (CAGR % growth in sustainable content 2023-28) For each region/country:
Demand for e-commerce packaging by material, 2018-28, volume
Demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by material, 2023, value ($ million)
Demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by material, 2028, value ($ million)
Demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by material, 2023, volume
Demand for sustainable e-commerce packaging by material, 2028, volume List of regions/countries:
North America
United States
Canada
Mexico
South and Central America
Brazil
Western Europe
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
United Kingdom
Eastern Europe
Poland
Russia
Middle East and Africa
Asia-Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Figures
E-commerce packaging consumption by region, 2023 and 2028
Sustainability of material types, 2023 and 2028, % of total
Volume growth of sustainability of materials, CAGR % 2023-28
Supply chains for traditional retail vs. e-commerce
Global e-commerce packaging demand by region, 2023, value ($ million)
Global e-commerce packaging demand growth by country, CAGR % 2023-28 ($ million)
North America: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by material, 2023 and 2028 ($ million)
North America: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by material, CAGR % 2023-28
South and Central America: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by material, 2023 and 2028 ($ million)
South and Central America: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by material, CAGR % 2023-28
Western Europe: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by material, 2023 and 2028 ($ million)
Western Europe: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by material, CAGR % 2023-28
Eastern Europe: sustainable e-commerce packaging demand by material, 2023 and 2028 ($ million)