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The Future of Sack and Kraft to 2031

Sack and bag kraft paper demand will grow 4.6% a year to 2031, adding almost 3 million tonnes and lifting market value to $17.4 billion. This report gives five-year forecasts by grade, end use and region, and shows how paperisation, PPWR and EPR are reshaping the market.

  • Nearly 3 million tonnes of added consumption to 2031 will lift market value by over $3.4 billion.
  • Over 62% of sack and kraft volume goes to food packaging; sugar, flour and salt exceed one third.
  • Building materials, minerals and industrial chemicals account for 22% of total volume and almost 60% of non-food.

Sack and bag kraft paper is outpacing the global economy. Demand will grow around 4.6% a year to 2031, adding almost 3 million tonnes and lifting market value to $17.4 billion.

Paperisation, PPWR and EPR legislation, brand-owner sustainability commitments and e-commerce growth are all fuelling demand. But high energy costs, overcapacity, ageing infrastructure and competition from woven polypropylene FIBCs mean producers must invest wisely in efficiency, automation, AI and coating innovation.

This report quantifies demand for every sack and bag kraft grade by end use and region, with five-year forecasts built on primary research and expert analysis. The report provides expert market insights including competition with plastic alternatives, sustainability drivers, and technical innovations in strength, barrier properties, and printability.

Key questions

  • How is the paperisation trend affecting demand for sack and bag kraft paper?
  • Which end uses offer the greatest growth opportunities for sack and bag kraft paper?
  • How will PPWR and EPR legislation shape the sack and bag kraft market to 2031?
  • What challenges, from energy costs to plastic FIBCs, could hold back market growth?

About the authors

Philippa Davies has over 30 years of experience as a writer, editor and price reporter, specialising in commodities markets. She has been involved in monitoring, reporting on and analysing trends in chemical intermediates markets, including acrylic acid and esters, biomaterials, polyurethanes, and coatings for packaging, in the US, Asia and Europe. Her research has been used in other Smithers projects within the packaging, pulp and barrier coatings sectors.

Chuck Klass has six decades of experience in the pulp and paper industry with a focus on value-added grade development, coating and surface sizing, recycled fiber use, and implementation of new technology.

Report format

Smithers' market reports are now delivered in PowerPoint format – redesigned for easier navigation and faster access to insights, without losing any analytical depth. Every report also comes with our Latest Data Guarantee: if major industry developments occur within 12 months of publication, we'll update the data, forecasts, and analysis at no extra cost, so your investment stays relevant for longer.

Want to find out more about our packaging and paper research? Contact the team below or click the button to request sample pages.

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Bill Allen

Bill Allen

Head of Sales – Europe and Middle East, Smithers Information Division

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Sean Walsh

Sean Walsh

Business Development Manager, Smithers Information Division

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