Mobile Menu

Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2028)

Jonas Kao Jonas Kao London, United Kingdom Last Updated: August 2024 SIC UK-C1709

Revenue

£61.6bn

2024-25

£63.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

267k

Businesses

12,960

Wages

£X.Xbn

Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing in the UK industry analysis

The Paper and Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry has long been a cornerstone of Europe’s manufacturing landscape, driven by historically strong demand for printed materials, packaging and stationery. However, recent trends show a significant shift towards digital document management. European consumers and businesses well on their way to shifting to electronic alternatives for documentation, communication and billing, favouring efficiency and environmental considerations over traditional paper-based practices. The surge in secure digital file storage and the legal recognition of electronic documents, notably in France, are cutting the reliance on physical paper products.

Trends and Insights

  • The on-screen shift reduces paper usage. Secure electronic file storage continues to become more popular. Paperless billing and digital communication are also cutting into sales of paper products like envelopes and letterheads.
  • Sustainability shapes hygiene product sales. As eco-awareness grows, Europeans are opting more for green, biodegradable personal care items, fuelling the growth of environmentally earth-friendly products.
  • Scale and innovation determine market share. The bigger companies stay on top due to their economies of scale, streamlined operations and continuous investment in tech advancements—these factors give them a solid competitive edge.
Show more

Top Questions Answered in this Report

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is £61.6bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2024?

There are 12,960 businesses in the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include?

Envelopes and Notebooks, registers and account books are part of the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Eco-friendly practices are a must for paper manufacturers. European regulations promote sustainability by enforcing the use of recycled materials and eco-design, reducing paper manufacturers’ environmental impact.

View more insights with purchase. View purchase options.

External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Profit struggles thanks to rising costs and regulatory pressures. Paper manufacturers are grappling with higher costs for raw materials (namely wood pulp) and tight environmental regulations, but eco-conscious products are carving a profitable niche as sustainability gains traction.

View more insights with purchase. View purchase options.

Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Paper & Paperboard Product Manufacturing in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2024)
  • Business Growth (2024)
  • Job Growth (2024)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2024)
  • Imports/Demand (2024)
  • Exports/Revenue (2024)
  • Revenue per Employee (2024)
  • Wages/Revenue (2024)
  • Employees per Establishment (2024)
  • Average Wage (2024)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.

To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.