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The Future of Specialty Papers to 2030

This report covers developments in the global specialty papers market and forecasts growth to 2030. It explores the key market trends and growth drivers over the next five years.
  • The global specialty papers market is predicted to grow from 28.2 million tonnes in 2025 to 31.3 million tonnes by 2030. 
  • Flexible packaging is the largest specialty paper sector with 5.7 million tonnes – 20.2% of the total market. 

This report covers developments in the global specialty papers market and forecasts growth to 2030. It explores the key market trends, including sustainable packaging solutions and interrelated environmental regulations, new technology for papermaking, new materials for paper and coatings – including bio-based coatings and alternative fibres – and the trend for customisation and personalisation in packaging. 

Sustainable packaging structures and the governing policies that support them are key drivers in changing the kinds of products that are made, how they are designed, which raw materials are utilised, and their disposal at the end of their lifecycle.  

Definition 

A key difference between specialty and commodity papers is that specialty grades cannot usually be used for anything other than their intended special purpose. Specialty papers are either manufactured to have specific properties required by the end user or are converted for a specific application by an operation such as coating, lamination, or addition of an adhesive. These papers play a significant role in packaging, specialty printing, and industrial use.  

Key Questions 

  • How are brand owners responding to sustainability regulations and recyclability targets? 
  • How will the move away from film-based flexible packaging benefit specialty paper substrates? 
  • What developments are being made in security papers to deter counterfeiters? 
  • How are shifts in consumer demands driving design developments in specialty papers and packaging?  

This report is essential to: 

  • Raw materials suppliers 
  • Paper producers and converters  
  • Brand owners and end-users of specialty papers  

About the author

Scott McNutt has over 43 years of experience in the paper industry, with expertise in papermaking, quality management, engineering, operations management, technical service, and product innovation. For the last 3 years, as the founder of Nextep Partners LLC Consulting, he has helped client companies develop and commercialise sustainable packaging.  

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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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