The transport packaging market size is estimated to be worth USD 29.2 billion in 2025 and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 42.0 billion by 2035. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period between 2025 and 2035. The revenue generated by transport packaging in 2024 was USD 28.4 billion.
The retail & e-commerce sector uses transport packaging products to a large extent due to the requirement of transit and shipment for various products from different sectors, thereby accounting for more than 26% of the total market share over the forecast period.
The reason is that online shopping, which is exponentially growing requires a huge amount of packaging for safe, efficient as well as visually appealing delivery. This is due to diverse types of products, fast shipment requirements, and returns processing for the smooth logistics and convenience of customers.
Transport Packaging Industry Forecast
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2024 | USD 28.4 billion |
| Estimated Size, 2025 | USD 29.2 billion |
| Projected Size, 2035 | USD 42.0 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 3.7% |
Among the various types of packaging, corrugated boxes are expected to gain more than 30% market share and have an even growth rate in the upcoming years in the global transport packaging market. The primary reasons for the utilization of corrugated boxes are its versatility, lightweight design, cost-effectiveness, and recyclability. Widely used in industries such as e-commerce, retail, and food, they provide excellent protection for products, customizable sizes, and sustainable solutions meeting global demand for efficient and eco-friendly packaging.
The transport packaging market is expected to experience lucrative growth over the forecast period. It is estimated to rise to an opportunity worth an incremental USD 13.6 billion and is estimated to register 1.4 times its current worth by the year 2035.
Don't pay for what you don't need
Customize your report by selecting specific countries or regions and save 30%!
The below table presents the expected CAGR for the global transport packaging market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2025 to 2035.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 3.6% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 3.8% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 | 3.4% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 | 4.0% (2025 to 2035) |
In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2024 to 2033, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 3.6%, followed by a slightly higher growth rate of 3.8% in the second half (H2) of the same decade. Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2025 to H2 2035, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 3.4% in the first half and remain relatively moderate at 4.0% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 20 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed an increase of 20 BPS.
Global Trade Boom Drives Demand for Reliable Transport Packaging
Increased international trade and globalization in supply chains are creating an ever-growing need for reliable packaging solutions for transport. Such long-distance transit of fragile, high-value, temperature-sensitive goods requires robust packaging to ensure product safety and integrity. Another major driver that has been pushing the demand for export-grade packaging is the growth in cross-border e-commerce where companies increasingly prefer lightweight, sturdy, and inexpensive solutions that will enhance the efficiencies of the shipping process.
The UNCTAD report shows that world trade will grow to about USD 33 trillion by 2024 and has increased from last year by USD 1 trillion. Such rapid growth shows the significance of transport packaging in terms of its contribution to the growth of the expanding world trade landscape. This high growth rate of trade activity has shown it to be a prime factor in the development of the transport packaging market.
Increasing Demand for Secure Transport Packaging to Prevent Theft of High-Value Goods
The growing necessity to have safe transportation has resulted in risen focus on packaging in regard to prevent theft, tampering, and damage during transit. This trend is pronounced specifically in industries dealing with the high-value goods concerned more with product integrity and safety.
In order to address this need, businesses are embracing some of the advanced technologies in packaging, such as tamper-evident seals, RFID tracking, and strengthened materials that provide additional external protection. Moreover, secure packaging satisfies the regulatory requirements of certain industries, such as pharmaceuticals, where product authenticity and safety are monitored.
Consequently, increased security concerns are a major driver in the global transport packaging market, especially for high-value products such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods.
Escalating Material Costs and Sustainability May Limit Transport Packaging Expansion
Among the major issues in the transport packaging market are increased raw material prices and environmental concerns. As major raw materials like plastic, corrugated cardboard, and metals have become high priced, this increases production costs, further eating away at profit margins and is likely to push up product prices.
Companies now look to alternative packaging that is 'eco-friendly', yet pressure by consumers and authorities to keep the use of plastics at minimal levels makes these an immediate shift. Yet, these could be relatively more expensive or less efficient or harder to source-which complicates things.
These alternatives, however, could be more expensive, less efficient, or harder to source, which further complicates financial strain on businesses. Increasing demand for sustainability thus serves as a significant restraint on market growth since businesses need to balance cost efficiency.
Principal Consultant
The global transport packaging market recorded a CAGR of 2.6% during the historical period between 2020 and 2024. Market growth of transport packaging was positive as it reached a value of USD 28.4 billion in 2024 from USD 25.6 billion in 2020.
The global transport packaging market registered growth in the historic period due to increasing e-commerce activities, heightened demand for safe packaging, and the urge for green solutions. Materials and packaging technologies will evolve continuously, and this will continually increase efficiency to reduce costs while promoting sales.
For the next few years, the transport packaging market is expected to have considerable growth with industries asking for advanced packaging solutions. Moreover, increased demand will come from the transition to circular economy practices, a requirement for greener materials, and growth in international trade. Continuous improvements in technology, in turn, will optimize the efficiency and functionality of packaging further maintaining growth.
Tier 1 companies comprise market leaders with a significant market share in global market. These market leaders are characterized by high production capacity and a wide product portfolio. These market leaders are distinguished by their extensive expertise in manufacturing across multiple packaging formats and a broad geographical reach, underpinned by a robust consumer base.
They provide a wide range of series including recycling and manufacturing utilizing the latest technology and meeting the regulatory standards providing the highest quality. Prominent companies within tier 1 include Schoeller Allibert., ORBIS Corporation, PalletOne Inc. and LOSCAM.
Tier 2 companies include mid-size players having presence in specific regions and highly influencing the local market. These are characterized by a strong presence overseas and strong 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 Monoflo International, Rehrig Pacific Company, ENKO Plastics Ltd., Greif, Inc., Mauser Packaging Solutions, SCHÜTZ GmbH & Co. KGaA, The International Paper Company, Smurfit WestRock plc, Mondi plc, Berry Global Group, Inc. and Avery Dennison Corporation.
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.
Get the data you need at a Fraction of the cost
Personalize your report by choosing insights you need
and save 40%!
The section below covers the future forecast for the transport packaging market in terms of countries. Information on key countries in several parts of the globe, including North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and MEA is provided. Canada is anticipated to remain at the forefront in North America, with a CAGR of 3.6% through 2035. In Europe, Spain is projected to witness a CAGR 3.3% by 2035.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 3.5% |
| Germany | 3.2% |
| China | 4.5% |
| UK | 3.0% |
| Spain | 3.3% |
| India | 5.0% |
| Canada | 3.6% |
The transport packaging market in Germany is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% compared to other European countries by 2035.
The major demand drivers for Germany in terms of transport packaging arise from its reputation for being the world's manufacturing hub. The country's major source of demand for automotive products and parts heavily relies on transport packaging, majorly from the automotive industry. Safe transport packaging ensures the safe carrying of sensitive components such as body panels, engines, and electronics over long distances frequently in severe conditions.
In addition, the German machinery manufacturing industry needs heavy-duty packaging to protect its heavy and high-value equipment from damage during transportation. The industries require packaging that can withstand high stress, is vibration-proof, and provides protection against environmental factors, thereby further solidifying transport packaging's significance in Germany's industrial supply chain.
The transport packaging market is expected to expand in the USA by 2035 at a CAGR of 3.2%.
Regulatory compliance plays a greater role in driving demand in the United States for the transport packaging market. Food, pharmaceutical, and other hazardous materials have strict requirements from the USA government regarding safety, standards for the product, and all transportation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Transportation (DOT) rule out the standards for the safety of consumers and the least environmental damage.
These regulations put advanced packaging solutions that could be durable, safe, and environmentally friendly on the manufacturers. Adherence to such standards will ensure that innovative, eco-friendly, and secure packaging materials are used so that the products are ensured to reach their destination undamaged and reduce the liability potential for businesses.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. In terms of material, plastic is estimated to account for a share of 40.4% by 2035. By packaging type, corrugated boxes are projected to dominate by holding a share of 31.2% by the end 2035.
| Material | Plastic |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2035) | 40.4% |
Among several materials used for making transport packaging products, plastic is expected to lead the transport packaging market with a market share of 40.4% over the forecast period.
Plastic is the most used material globally in transport packaging because it is highly adaptable to various products, from liquids to perishables. Its ability to be easily molded into any complex shape, combined with high strength-to-weight ratios, enhances logistic efficiency by reducing costs.
Furthermore, the flexibility of plastics to accommodate different protective requirements (for example, cushioning, sealing) makes them the best for protecting commodities in long-distance transportation. Since plastic is available both in rigid and flexible formats, it can be adopted by almost all industries to ensure the most versatile and practical solution for packaging globally.
| Packaging Type | Corrugated Boxes |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2035) | 31.2% |
Corrugated boxes dominate the transport packaging market and account for a market share of 31.2% in the assessment period.
Global transport packaging uses corrugated boxes because of their strong protection and ability to offer customized designs. The fluted structure offers shock absorption, which ensures product safety during transit. Its light structure allows for a low transportation cost, while its dimension flexibility allows the product into varied forms. Also, being an environmentally friendly material is an added advantage because these are recyclable and bio-degradable.
This combination of strength, adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability makes them the first choice over other materials. The wide availability of corrugated materials increases its dominance in packaging solutions worldwide across various industries.
Key players of transport packaging industry are developing and launching new products in the market. They are integrating with different firms and extending their geographical presence. Few of them are also collaborating and partnering with local brands and start-up companies for new product development.
Key Developments in Transport Packaging Market:
In terms of packaging type, the transport packaging market is divided into pallets, crates, drums and barrels, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), corrugated boxes, stretch wraps, straps, dunnage, bulk bags (FIBC) and protective packaging
Several materials in the transport packaging include plastic, metal, paper & paperboard, wood, glass and composite materials. Plastic material is further categorized into polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Metal is sub-segmented into aluminum and steel.
Three major functions in the transport packaging market includes primary packaging, secondary packaging and tertiary packaging.
End user is the transport packaging market include food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, chemicals & petrochemicals, automotive, customer goods, electronics, industrial machinery, agriculture and retail & e-commerce.
Key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa are covered.
The transport packaging industry is projected to witness CAGR of 3.7% between 2025 and 2035.
The global transport packaging industry stood at USD 28.4 billion in 2024.
Global transport packaging industry is anticipated to reach USD 42.0 billion by 2035 end.
South Asia & Pacific is set to record a CAGR of 5.8% in assessment period.
The key players operating in the transport packaging industry are Schoeller Allibert., ORBIS Corporation, PalletOne Inc. and LOSCAM.
Explore Packaging Insights
View Reports
Transport Packaging Market
