The global sales of old corrugated container (OCC) are estimated to be worth USD 45,918.4 million in 2025 and anticipated to reach a value of USD 72,686.5 million by 2035. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period between 2025 and 2035. The revenue generated by old corrugated container (OCC) in 2024 was USD 44,537.8 million. The industry is anticipated to exhibit a Y-o-Y growth of 4.5% in 2025.
The food & drinks industry is driving demand for the old corrugated container (OCC) market because the industry's heavy dependence on recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging materials has taken hold. Growing demand for packaged food, ready meals, and beverages, as well as stringent environmental laws, has also driven OCC usage in secondary and tertiary packaging.
Large formats driving demand for the type of paper are fresh food, dairy foods, meat, seafood, and multipack drink corrugated boxes, and food delivery packaging. Protective shipping packaging, web grocery food shipping, and shelf-ready packaging use also drive OCC growth. Since the Food & Beverage industry is projected to reach a market size of USD 16,898.0 million in 2025 and hold more than 35% market share, its sustainability efforts and bulk packaging requirements will drive the demand for OCC in the future.
 Market.png "Old Corrugated Container (OCC) Market")
OCC Grade 11 or mixed corrugated paper trash is highly demanded because of enhanced recyclability, affordability, and extensive use for the manufacturing of new corrugated packaging items. The grade is widely applied in the corrugated box, shipping cases, and ready-to-retail packaging manufacturing, especially for food & beverage, consumer goods, and e-commerce industries.
Key uses are secondary and tertiary packaging of vegetables and fruits, processed food products, beverage cartons, and protection packaging of delicate goods. Increased focus on the practice of circular economy and heightened international trade further augment demand for OCC Grade 11, which is expected to grow to a market size of USD 24,933.7 million by 2025.
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The below table presents the expected CAGR for the global old corrugated container (OCC) market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2025 to 2035. In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2024 to 2034, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 4.6%, followed by a high growth rate of 4.8% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 4.6% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 4.8% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 | 3.7% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 | 5.7% (2025 to 2035) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2035, the CAGR is projected to decrease to 3.7% in the first half and increase to 5.7% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 90 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed an increase of 90 BPS.
Advanced Recycling Technologies Boost OCC Quality and Circular Economy Growth
Technological progress has also increased the quality and efficiency of recycling of old corrugated container (OCC) from industrial waste and municipal solid waste to a very high degree. Even more sophisticated technology in automated sorting plants in the form of hi-tech screeners as well as artificial intelligence-based optical sorters has also optimized OCC separation from low-contamination mixed mix wastes and back-detection of high-quality recycled fiber.
In addition, technology progress in pulping and deinking facilitates higher fiber retention, and thus the capability to create stronger and more durable recycled corrugated boards. This has contributed towards better supply of quality recycled OCC, driving higher demand for sustainable food & beverage, logistics, and e-commerce packaging solutions.
Closed-loop recycling loops have also achieved to a considerable extent to give greater material recycling, less landfilling, and less greenhouse gas emissions of packaging production. Hence, the contribution of ongoing technological innovation in recycling has aided a lot in advancing the OCC market and encouragement of circular economy practices.
Green Regulations and Consumer Demand Drive Surge in OCC Packaging
Increasing green consciousness, increasing government oversight, and evolving consumer attitudes toward green products are fueling the demand for green packaging. Food & beverage, cosmetics/personal care, and transportation segments alone are substituting plastic-based to recyclable paperboard corrugated packages, and those themselves are themselves creating market demand for Grades 11, 12, and WX-OCC OCC.
Government agencies around the world are adopting more strict waste management laws, including single-use plastic prohibition and extended producer responsibility (EPR), pushing companies further toward adopting recyclable substitutes. Online consumers and retail stores are also going green, generating more demand for transit protection packaging, retail-ready packaging, and corrugated boxes made from OCC.
The growing need for biodegradable and compostable packaging progressively widened the use of recycled corrugated material in supply chains. The more sustainability is an imperative for business and consumers, the stronger will be the need for OCC packaging applications.
Recycled OCC Faces Strength and Purity Challenges in Specialty Packaging
Quality issues with recycled old corrugated containers (OCC) arise because they get polluted and weakened through fiber deteriorations, especially in the case of low-grade materials like WX-OCC. Adhesives, food wastes, and non-paper impurities may weaken and compromise the strength and integrity of recovered fibers and render them unsuitable for stringent packaging uses.
With repeated recycling cycles, OCC fibers weaken and shorten, constraining their capability to contribute to durability and structural stability, which is essential in healthcare, chemicals, and fertilizer applications. Such industries demand packaging with high hygiene, moisture resistance, and chemical barrier specifications-characteristics that cannot be met by lower-grade OCC.
Variable quality of recycled OCC can also create production inefficiencies and added costs for manufacturers on the basis of consistent material properties. While process improvements mitigate some of these problems, the ability to maintain high-quality recovery of fiber is still problematic, affecting OCC use in high-end and specialty packaging applications.
| Key Investment Area | Why It’s Critical for Future Growth |
|---|---|
| Advanced Recycling Technologies | Enhances fiber recovery, reduces contamination, and improves the quality of recycled OCC for high-performance packaging applications. |
| Automation in Sorting & Processing | Increases efficiency in material recovery facilities (MRFs), reducing labor costs and improving the consistency of OCC supply. |
| High-Performance Coated OCC | Expands OCC applications in moisture-sensitive industries like food & beverage and healthcare by improving durability and barrier properties. |
| Closed-Loop Recycling Programs | Strengthens supply chain sustainability by integrating brand-led OCC collection and reuse initiatives, ensuring a steady flow of recycled material. |
| Lightweight & Strength-Optimized OCC | Supports e-commerce and logistics sectors by reducing material use while maintaining structural integrity for high-speed shipping and handling. |
The global old corrugated container (OCC) industry recorded a CAGR of 3.1% during the historical period between 2020 and 2024. The growth of the old corrugated container (OCC) industry was positive as it reached a value of USD 44,537.8 million in 2024 from USD 39,417.9 million in 2020.
The world old corrugated container (OCC) market has witnessed consistent growth in the last couple of years driven by growth in e-commerce, increased sustainability efforts, and the demand for eco-friendly, recyclable packaging options in food & beverages, personal care, and logistics industries.
Increased product consciousness towards circular economy drivers along with better regulations for waste management has triggered collection and processing of OCC, especially in developed economies. Nevertheless, volatilities of raw material prices, supply chain disruptions, and the quality of used OCC have been a nightmare to sustained market growth. In addition, volatilities of the economy and cross-border trade disruptions have affected the overall demand and supply situation, influencing OCC prices and availability.
| Market Aspect | 2020 to 2024 (Past Trends) |
|---|---|
| Demand Growth | Steady increase driven by e-commerce, retail, and food packaging. |
| Recycling Efficiency | Moderate efficiency with contamination challenges in collection. |
| Regulatory Landscape | Expansion of recycling mandates and packaging waste regulations. |
| End-Use Industry Adoption | High demand from e-commerce, logistics, and FMCG. |
| Supply Chain Dynamics | Fluctuations in OCC availability due to trade restrictions and pandemic disruptions. |
| Market Aspect | 2025 to 2035 (Future Projections) |
|---|---|
| Demand Growth | Accelerated demand due to stricter sustainability regulations and increased OCC adoption in emerging markets. |
| Recycling Efficiency | Advancements in AI-driven sorting and fiber recovery to enhance OCC quality and usability. |
| Regulatory Landscape | Stricter policies on post-consumer content and circular economy compliance. |
| End-Use Industry Adoption | Increased OCC usage in healthcare, electrical & electronics, and foodservice industries. |
| Supply Chain Dynamics | More localized OCC sourcing and investment in decentralized collection infrastructure. |
Demand for OCC in the next two years will grow at a higher rate, driven by mounting regulatory pressure on single-use plastics, growing adoption of sustainable packaging alternatives, and innovation in recycling. Developing markets will be at the forefront of driving OCC consumption as retail growth, industrialization, and urbanization fuel corrugated packaging demand.
Increasing pressure for carbon neutrality and corporate commitments toward sustainability will continue to encourage businesses to include recycled material in packaging material. Moreover, technological advancement in recovery of fibers and improved control of contamination will enable OCC to offer other products in high-performance grades, and its market trend during the next few years will be better and stronger.
Tier 1 company leaders are distinguished by their extensive portfolio and use of advanced production technology. These market leaders are stand out because of their extensive expertise in manufacturing and reconditioning across multiple packaging formats and a broad geographical reach, underpinned by a robust consumer base.
They offer a wide range of series including reconditioning, recycling, and manufacturing utilizing the latest technology and meeting the regulatory standards providing the highest quality. Prominent companies within Tier 1 include Smurfit Kappa Group, Kruger Inc, International Paper, WestRock Company, DS Smith Plc, and Sonoco Products Company.
Tier 2 companies are defined by a strong presence overseas and in-depth market knowledge. These market players have good technology and ensure regulatory compliance but may not have advanced technology and wide global reach. Prominent companies in Tier 2 include Cleanaway Waste Management Limited, Royal Oak Recycling, RecycleMax, Gabriel Container Co., Green Recycling Ltd., Allan Company, Miller Recycling Corporation, Berg Mill Supply Co., Continental Paper Grading Limited, and ALSECO S.r.l.
Tier 3 includes the majority of small-scale companies operating at the local presence and serving niche markets. These companies are notably oriented towards fulfilling local market demands and are consequently classified within the tier 3 share segment. They are small-scale players and have limited geographical reach. Tier 3, within this context, is recognized as an unorganized market, denoting a sector characterized by a lack of extensive structure and formalization when compared to organized competitors.
| Region | 2019 to 2024 (Past Trends) |
|---|---|
| North America | Strong demand from e-commerce and food packaging, with increasing OCC recovery initiatives. |
| Europe | Focus on circular economy policies, high OCC recycling rates, and rising bans on single-use plastics. |
| Asia-Pacific | Rapid OCC consumption due to industrialization and e-commerce boom, but recycling infrastructure lags. |
| Latin America | Limited OCC recycling due to underdeveloped waste management systems, with dependence on imports. |
| Middle East & Africa | Slow OCC adoption due to reliance on virgin packaging materials, with minimal recycling policies. |
| Region | 2025 to 2035 (Future Projections) |
|---|---|
| North America | Higher adoption of AI-driven recycling, stricter regulations on post-consumer OCC content, and corporate sustainability mandates. |
| Europe | Expansion of closed-loop recycling programs, digital tracking for OCC recovery, and more investment in fiber-strengthening innovations. |
| Asia-Pacific | Increased investment in automated sorting, domestic OCC recovery expansion, and rising OCC export restrictions. |
| Latin America | Government-led sustainability initiatives and investments in OCC collection infrastructure to boost local processing. |
| Middle East & Africa | Growth in sustainable packaging regulations, expansion of OCC collection networks, and partnerships with global recyclers. |
The section below covers the industry analysis for the old corrugated container (OCC) market for different countries. Market demand analysis on key countries in several regions of the globe, including North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and others, is provided. USA is anticipated to remain at the forefront in North America, with a CAGR of 4.8% through 2035. In South Asia & Pacific, India is projected to witness a CAGR of 6.7% by 2035.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 4.8% |
| Canada | 4.0% |
| Brazil | 4.4% |
| Argentina | 4.2% |
| Germany | 3.0% |
| China | 5.3% |
| India | 6.7% |
Among the major drivers for United States old corrugated container (OCC) food & beverage industry is increasing need for cold chain fiber-based packaging. As the business of grocery stores and meal kit delivery increases, the demand is increasing for insulated corrugated packages capable of storing temperature-sensitive products such as fresh vegetables, milk items, and sea food during transit.
This has resulted in greater use of OCC-based packaging items with moisture-resistant coatings and sophisticated barrier technologies to provide refrigerated and frozen supply chain integrity. Big-box USA food distributors are also focusing more on recycled-content packaging in an attempt to meet corporate sustainability objectives and retailer requirements for higher post-consumer fiber content.
As leading supermarket food retailers and foodservice businesses make the transition away from plastic and foam containers, OCC paves the way to address the new regulatory and environmental requirements for safe and sustainable food transportation and packaging in America.
One of the key drivers of the German old corrugated container (OCC) market in the electrical & electronics industry is the nation's high focus on green e-waste packaging solutions. As one of the largest manufacturers of electronic products in Europe and a forerunner in the circular economy, companies are now turning to recycled corrugated packaging for the shipping and protection of electronic components, consumer electronics, and industrial machinery components.
Tighter regulations on packaging waste by the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) and EU Circular Economy Action Plan have promoted the shift to OCC-based packaging protection against plastic foams and non-recyclable packaging.
High-recycled content packaging is also being requested by German retail outlets selling electronics and online retailers to meet eco-labeling standards as well as corporate sustainability goals. This transition is paving the way for OCC-based molded inserts, corrugated configurations with shock absorption, and supported multi-layer board solutions that meet sustainability and toughness requirements in packaging electronics.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. By grade, OCC grade 11 are projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% through 2025 to 2035. Additionally, food and beverage end uses are predicted to grow at a CAGR of 5.0%.
| Board Type | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Single Wall | 53.2% |
Single-wall corrugated board will be the largest market for used corrugated containers (OCC) value as it has complete-around application in high-volume packages like e-commerce shipping, retail-pack-ready pack, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) transport. Single-wall corrugated package is the option of big online stores and third-party logistics businesses because it is robust, inexpensive, and can be recycled.
In addition, food and beverage companies are depending more on single-wall corrugated boxes with moisture barrier films to package fruits and vegetables, baked products, and meal kits to provide product protection and fulfill sustainability requirements.
Growth in automated packaging machinery in fulfillment and distribution centers also increased demand for single-wall OCC as it is adapted to high-speed folding, sealing, and print technology to allow for most efficient supply chain. These considerations make single-wall board the most lucrative part of the OCC market.
| Source | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Household | 43.3% |
Households now represent the largest source of used corrugated containers (OCC) as a result of the DTC surge in shipments, subscription box shipments, and online-delivered grocery purchasing. Big e-retailers and meal kit company businesses create a consistent stream of pack waste on the consumer side and drive municipal recycling programs and retailer sponsored take-back initiatives.
Besides, the majority of North American and European cities have implemented curbside OCC collection programs, which provide cleaner and more convenient household-generated OCC than industrial or retail streams with impurities such as plastic films and food waste residues.
Brands going for circular economy systems are more and more using post-consumer recycled (PCR) OCC to drive their sustainability agenda, hence driving demand for clean household-sourced corrugated waste. With packaging technologies like simple-to-recycle tear strips and low-ink printing for home recycling specifically, residential OCC remains the most in demand as the highest-value and environmentally friendly source in the market.
Key players operating in the old corrugated container (OCC) market are investing in the development of innovative sustainable solutions and also entering into partnerships. Key old corrugated container (OCC) providers have also been acquiring smaller players to grow their presence to further penetrate the old corrugated container (OCC) market across multiple regions.
Recent Industry Developments in the Old Corrugated Container (OCC) Market
| Manufacturer | Vendor Insights |
|---|---|
| Smurfit Kappa Group | Leading in sustainable OCC packaging solutions, investing in high-performance recycled board and expanding closed-loop recycling programs. |
| Kruger Inc | Strong presence in North America with a focus on eco-friendly OCC-based packaging and advanced fiber recovery technologies. |
| International Paper | Major supplier of recycled OCC for corrugated packaging, emphasizing automation in material recovery and sustainability-driven innovation. |
| WestRock Company | Integrating OCC into high-strength, lightweight packaging solutions while enhancing collection and processing efficiencies. |
| DS Smith Plc | European leader in circular economy practices, investing in OCC-based e-commerce packaging and digital watermarked recycling technologies. |
The global old corrugated container (OCC) industry is projected to witness CAGR of 4.7% between 2025 and 2035.
The global old corrugated container (OCC) industry stood at USD 44,537.8 million in 2024.
The global old corrugated container (OCC) industry is anticipated to reach USD 72,686.5 million by 2035 end.
South Asia & Pacific region is set to record the highest CAGR of 6.3% in the assessment period.
The key players operating in the global old corrugated container (OCC) industry include Smurfit Kappa Group, Kruger Inc, International Paper, WestRock Company, DS Smith Plc, and Sonoco Products Company.
In terms of grade, the industry is divided into occ grade 11, occ grade 12, wx-occ.
In terms of board type, the industry is segregated into single face, single wall, double wall, triple wall.
By source, the market is divided into household, manufacturing facilities, retail.
The market is classified by end use such as food & beverage, personal care & home care, logistics & transportation, electrical & electronics, healthcare, chemical & fertilizer, others (agriculture, automotive, etc.).
Key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East & Africa have been covered in the report.
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Old Corrugated Container (OCC) Market
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