Micro Flute Paper Market

A Feasible Alternative to Plastic

Micro flute paper has numerous advantages over metal and plastic alternatives such as high robustness, reusability, lightweight, and most importantly, minimal carbon footprint. Although plastic currently maintains hegemony over packaging materials, end-users are gradually shifting towards sustainable alternatives owing to the increasing stringency of regulations against plastic usage.

Micro flute paper has emerged as the ideal alternative for plastic packaging, and this is expected to give a significant boost to the market.

In addition to being biodegradable, micro flute paper is suitable for diverse forms of packaging such as trays, clamshells, and boxes, among others. Moreover, end-users are exhibiting a preference for lightweight but robust packaging options to reduce spending based on the weight of the shipment during transportation.

Since micro flute paper is thin and light in weight, this further propels adoption. On these lines, manufacturers of the micro flute paper market are focusing on reducing the thickness of the material, while maintaining the strength equivalent to plastic

Excellent Physical Properties Drive Adoption

Micro flute paper, especially the F and N types bestow advanced features and attractive aesthetics over traditional plastic and metal packaging solutions. Overcoming the limitations of plastic on the printing front, F and N-type paper have an excellent surface quality the facilitates printing with ease and makes direct offset printing possible.

Furthermore, advanced printing methodologies such as direct litho-lamination and flexo printing, which are considered impossible on plastic, can be easily pulled off using micro flute paper. Since product branding and information of products is vital in commercial and pharmaceutical sectors, respectively, micro flute paper is perfect for litho lamination, in which a laminated sheet is glued to the box.

Along similar lines, the advent of digital printing has emerged as a gamechanger to the packaging industry as printing and branding expenses have significantly plummeted. As brands operating in several domains focus on expanding their brand visibility, micro flute paper will remain highly sought out owing to its compatibility with printing.

Besides, supermarkets, retail stores, and other distribution and sales channels are slowly moving towards retail-ready packaging (RRP) or shelf-ready packaging (SRP) and point-of-purchase (POP) display. This is expected to further boost the adoption of micro flute paper packaging, backed by attractive printing designs it enables

Industries such as food and beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical, are opting for packaging using F- and N-type micro flute papers ascribed to their enhanced printability and folding capabilities. Moreover, F- and N-type cardboards have a much larger number of flutes per foot which enables precise folding operations.

Low Resistance to Extreme Physical Conditions

Being a derivative of corrugated paper, micro flute paper is highly porous and inflammable, making it unsafe for usage under harsh climatic conditions.

While the porous nature makes it vulnerable to liquid surroundings, the tendency to easily catch fire makes it risky for usage in an environment with high temperatures, and these restraints are expected to limit the adoption to an extent.

By the same token, the durability window of micro flute paper is narrow as compared to metal-based packaging, thus further hampering the growth. Moreover, micro flute paper is considered unsuitable for heavyweight packaging applications, thus restricting its adoption to lightweight packaging.

High cost associated with the production of micro flute paper, due to the fluting process and procurement of raw materials involved in production of thin products is expected to pose a challenge to the smooth growth of the market.

Region-wise Insights

Europe Micro Flute Paper Market

Europe is expected to reign supremacy over the regional landscape through the forecast period, accounting for nearly 30% of the market share. The region’s lucrativeness is attributed to stringent laws in place against the usage of plastic, which necessitate end-users to seek eco-friendly substitutes.

For instance, in March 2019, the European Parliament voted to ban single-use plastic items, including food containers. The Parliament plans to eliminate the usage of plastic by 2021, thereby opening doors for players offering sustainable alternatives. The move is expected to give a significant boost to the adoption of micro flute paper in the region’s food & beverage industry.

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In a similar vein, the demand for micro flute paper is expected to persist high in Germany owing to stringent penalties on retailers and buyers in case of plastic usage violations. Owing to the aforementioned facets, micro flute paper is gaining prominence and is expected to become the standard by the end of the assessment period.

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East Asia Micro Flute Paper Market

East Asia, led by China, is projected to closely follow Europe and will remain the second most lucrative region through the forecast period. Akin to Europe, the adoption of micro flute paper will be driven by the imposition of guidelines on industries to limit the exploding levels of plastic wastage in the region.

According to the data of the State Post Bureau of China, in 2017, the food delivery industry solely results in the usage of 100 million plastic boxes every year, which subsequently mount into a gargantuan volume of toxic wastage. To curb plastic wastage, the Chinese government has banned plastic usage in January 2020.

The decision is expected to give a tremendous boost to the micro flute paper market, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Backed by these factors, East Asia will hold nearly a quarter of market value through the assessment period.

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North America Micro Flute Paper Market

North America is poised to remain a prominent region through the forecast period, capturing more than 1/5th of market value. Forefronted by the US, the presence of lucrative F&B, pharmaceuticals, and personal care industries will continue to impel revenue to the micro flute paper market.

Although the region has not implemented a complete ban on plastic, rising awareness and limitations on plastic usage are expected to propel end-users to opt for micro flute paper.

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Category-wise Insights

E Flute Remains Most Sought After

E flute is expected to remain the most sought out type, accounting for more than half of global value. The high preference for E flute is attributed to high strength which makes it ideal for high duty applications.

Similarly, F flute will account for more than a quarter of market value, owing to its thinness which makes it ideal for applications in which weight has to be minimal.

175 TO 250 GSM Segment Maintains Hegemony

Based on basis weight, the 175 to 250 GSM segment is anticipated to hold the lion’s share in global market value, capturing nearly 3/5th of the market share.  Along similar lines, the 100 to 175 GSM segment will account for more than 1/5th of market value.

Recycled Materials Remain Most Popular

On the basis of material type, recycled materials are projected to remain the most sought out variant, accounting for nearly 4/5th of market share. High preference for recycled materials is ascribed to healthy affordability, wide-scale availability, and rising awareness regarding environmental concerns.

Food & Beverages Segment Drives Majority of Revenue

By end-use, the F&B segment is projected to channel more than 3/5th of revenue to the market, owing to the ever-increasing consumption of food and the consequential demand for efficient packaging methodologies.

Micro Flute Paper Competitive Landscape

The players in the micro flute paper market are directing their efforts towards research and development of advanced packaging solutions with innovative features. Manufacturers are focusing on increasing the strength of the products, enhancing their resistance to moisture, water, and high temperatures.

To achieve the same, market players are opting for advanced processing methods. Likewise, developing packaging solutions for specific applications has also been identified as a crucial growth strategy adopted by players to build a loy consumer base.

On these lines, DS Smith, a key market player is offering N and F type micro flute papers with high moisture barrier properties to cater to requirements in the frozen food packaging segment.

Micro Flute Paper Industry Report: Scope

Key Questions Answered by the Report

• What is the micro flute paper market size?

  The global micro flute paper market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 3.8 Bn by 2030.

• Which is the largest rmarket for micro flute paper?

  Europe is expected to maintain hegemony over the regional landscape through the course of the forecast period

• Which are the top brands producing micro flute paper?

  Key players operating in the market include DS Smith Plc, Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, Novolex Holdings, Inc, Acme Corrugated Box Co. Inc, Cascades Sonoco, Inc, Stora Enso Oyj, WestRock Company, Mayr-Melnhof Packaging, KRPA Holding CZ, a.s., and Braepac Packaging

• Where is micro flute paper used the most?

  Micro flute paper is majorly used in food & beverages and personal care industries.

• What is the future of the micro flute paper market?

  Micro flute paper market is expected to grow at a healthy pace through 2030 backed by rising demand for shelf-ready packaging.

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• Is this research conducted by Future Market Insights?

  Yes, the research has been conducted by expert analysts of Future Market Insights through a combination of primary research and secondary research. To know more about how the research was conducted, you can speak to research analyst.

• What research methodology is followed by FMI?

  FMI follows a methodology that encompasses demand side assessment of the market, and triangulates the same through supply side analysis. This methodology is based on use of standard market structure, methods and definitions.

• Who are the respondents for primary research?

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• What are the sources of secondary research?

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MICRO FLUTE PAPER MARKET TAXONOMY

Product Type:

• E Flute
• F Flute
• N Flute
• D Flute

Material:

• Recycled
• Virgin

Basis Weight:

• Up to 100 GSM
• 100 TO 175 GSM
• 175 TO 250 GSM
• Above 250 GSM

End Use:

• Food & Bev
• Medical & Pharm
• Personal Care
• CDEG
• Others

Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia
• East Asia
• Oceania