Despite the contraction of the different types of packaging in 2023, cellulose packaging is among the most significant in terms of tonnes. They represent 33% of the market, with a turnover share of 26.8%, second only to that of plastic packaging plastic.
Paper and cardboard: market dynamics
According to a photograph taken by Assografici, the paper industry, including the paper and cardboard packaging sector, suffered a decline in 2023.
In Italy, turnover decreased by 5.5% and production by 5.8%.
This decline should be interpreted as a “rebound effect”, considering that 2022 recorded growth of 25.5% due to the increase in production costs, which were then reduced in 2023.
At EU level, the sector’s production fell by 7.3%, while turnover marked -12.3%, influenced by the decline in Germany (-15.4%), followed by Poland, Spain and France, with smaller reductions.
Zoom on Italy
In 2023, the negative trend observed in 2022 consolidated, with a decrease in turnover of 5.5%, consistent with the decline in production.
The reduction in the costs of raw materials and energy led to a general contraction, causing revenues to follow the trend of production, which fell by 5.4% for a total of 5.61 million tonnes.
Exports fell by 15.5%, while imports fell more moderately by 4.7%.
There is a constant increase in imports compared to exports, with the main trading partners remaining within the European Union.
87% of Italian imports and 89% of exports involve European countries, a stable figure compared to previous years.
Classification of paper and cardboard packaging: an overview
Corrugated cardboard represents 75% of the market, and is the most used in logistics as well as being the heaviest in the category. In 2023, production fell to 4 million tonnes, a decline of 4.8% from the previous year. Imports fell by 33.2% and exports by 16.8%, while raw material prices fell between 1% and 3%.
In 2023, cardboard cases and boxes, which represent 15% of paper and cardboard packaging, saw production of approximately 823,000 tonnes, a decline of 5.1% compared to the previous year. This packaging is intended for the food sector (44.9%), drinks (20.6%) and cosmetics and pharmaceuticals (10.3%), while 24.5% is used for other products such as household appliances and household items. the house.
In 2023, large paper bags, used in the construction sector, suffered a 17.4% contraction in production, falling to 183,000 tonnes, due to declines in the construction and industrial food sectors. Foreign trade also recorded reductions, with imports falling by 21.2% and exports by 23.3%.
Other types of cellulosic packaging, such as cellulose drums, small bags, shopping bags and labels, suffered a 9% reduction in production in 2023. However, imports increased by 10.6%, while exports decreased by 14%, 8%.
Finally, coupled rigid containers, predominantly paper, show stability in recent years, with zero growth both in terms of turnover and production, with the exception of 2020.