The global specialty papers market is predicted to grow from 28.2 million tonnes in 2025 to 31.3 million tonnes by 2030.
Flexible packaging is the largest specialty paper sector with 5.7 million tonnes - 20.2% of the total market.
This report covers developments in the global specialty papers market and forecasts growth to 2030. It explores the key market trends, including sustainable packaging solutions and interrelated environmental regulations, new technology for papermaking, new materials for paper and coatings - including bio-based coatings and alternative fibres - and the trend for customisation and personalisation in packaging.
Sustainable packaging structures and the governing policies that support them are key drivers in changing the kinds of products that are made, how they are designed, which raw materials are utilised, and their disposal at the end of their lifecycle.
Definition:
A key difference between specialty and commodity papers is that specialty grades cannot usually be used for anything other than their intended special purpose. Specialty papers are either manufactured to have specific properties required by the end user or are converted for a specific application by an operation such as coating, lamination, or addition of an adhesive. These papers play a significant role in packaging, specialty printing, and industrial use.
Key Questions:
How are brand owners responding to sustainability regulations and recyclability targets?
How will the move away from film-based flexible packaging benefit specialty paper substrates?
What developments are being made in security papers to deter counterfeiters?
How are shifts in consumer demands driving design developments in specialty papers and packaging?
This report is essential to:
Raw materials suppliers
Paper producers and converters
Brand owners and end-users of specialty papers
Table of Contents
Executive summary
Introduction and methodology
Introduction
Objectives
Scope and definitions
Market segmentation
Methodology
Stage 1: desk research
Stage 2: telephone interviews
Stage 3: report generation
Glossary and definitions
Key drivers and trends
Introduction
Sustainable packaging solutions
Technology advancements
Bio-based materials
Biomaterials - coatings, microfibrillated cellulose - in and on the surface
Seaweed
Bioplastics - PHA, PHB, PLA, etc.
Proteins - casein/zein/soy protein
Polysaccharides - pectin/ chitin/levan/pullullan
Starches - chemically modified/ starch conversions copolymers/nanoparticle version of starch
Active packaging
Environmental regulations
E-commerce and shipping
Security and anticounterfeiting measures
Customization and personalization
Food and beverage industry
Health and hygiene products
Luxury and premium packaging
Specialty papers by application
Overview
Decor papers
Wallpaper base paper
Coverings paper
Flexible packaging papers
Metallizing base paper
Waxing base paper
Laminating base paper
Machine glazed paper
Greaseproof paper
Parchment paper
Twisting paper
C1S packaging paper
Printing label papers
Specialty uncoated label paper
Specialty C1S label paper
Release liner paper
Printing papers
Cover latex saturated and nonlatex paper
Photographic paper
Thermal paper
Binder's board
Fine art paper
Opaque lightweight paper
Filtration papers
Engine/automotive filtration paper
Coffee filter paper
Tea filter paper
Industrial filter paper
Laboratory filter paper
Electrical papers
Insulation paper
Battery separators
Cable paper
Security papers
Currency paper
Check paper
Ticket paper
Postage stamp paper
Other papers
Glassine
Tracing paper
Synthetic paper
Cigarette paper
Creped decorative paper
Gift-wrap paper
Geographic markets
Overview
Western Europe
Germany
France
UK
Italy
Spain
Scandinavia
Other Western Europe
Eastern Europe
Russia
Poland
Other Eastern Europe
Middle East & Africa
Turkey
Other Middle East & Africa
North America
US
Other North America
South & Central America
Brazil
Other South & Central America
Asia-Pacific
China
India
Japan
Other Asia-Pacific
Specialty paper competitive landscape
Overview
Top 35 companies in specialty papers
Ahlstrom
Asia Pulp & Paper
BiOrigin Specialty Products
Copamex
Crane
Delfort
Dispapali
Domtar Corporation
Drewzen
DuPont
Fedrigoni Group
Felix Schoeller Group
Giesecke+Devrient
Glatfelter
Hollingsworth & Vose Company
Huhtamaki
International Paper Company
James Cropper
KRPA Paper
Landqart
Lecta
Mativ Holdings
Metsa Tissue
Mondi Group
Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
Nordic Paper
Oji Holdings Corporation
PALM Group
Papeteries de Vizille
Pixelle
Sappi Limited
Smurfit WestRock
Suzano
Twin Rivers
Stora Enso
UPM
FIGURES
Projected specialty paper sales by category, 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Forecast growth in specialty paper sales by category, 2025-30 ('000 tonnes)
Shares of top ten specialty papers in 2025 (% tonnes)
Projected specialty paper sales by type, 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Forecast growth in specialty paper sales by type, 2025-30 ('000 tonnes)
Projected specialty paper sales by region, 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Forecast growth in specialty paper sales by region, 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Candy Bars wrapped in paper with barrier coatings
Native Deodorant
Projected specialty paper sales by category, 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Forecast growth in specialty paper sales by category, 2025-30 ('000 tonnes)
Outdoor storage shed with resin treated paper exterior
Direct metallization process
Paper bag with twisted paper handle
Personal protective suits, made of synthetic paper
Paper elements used in cigarette construction
Projected specialty paper sales by region, 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Forecast growth in specialty paper sales by region, 2025 ('000 tonnes)
Specialty paper companies by estimated 2024 specialty paper sales ($ million)
TABLES
Global specialty paper sales by type, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Decor papers: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Decor papers: global sales by type, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Wallpaper base paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Coverings paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Flexible packaging papers: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Flexible packaging papers: global sales by type, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Metallizing base paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Waxing base paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Laminating base paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Machine glazed paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Greaseproof paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Parchment paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Twisting paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
C1S packaging paper: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Printing label papers: sales by geographic market, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)
Printing label papers: global sales by type, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes)