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The e-commerce/mail order retail sector uses 7 times as many boxes per dollar spent, compared to traditional brick-and-mortar retail logistics. But even as e-commerce spending keeps rising, containerboard demand growth slowed in the first half of 2019. Should the containerboard industry prepare for a weaker “e-commerce boost” going forward?
Prepare for any contingency with the Impact of E-commerce on North American Paper Packaging Markets. This first-ever study of this timely topic provides:
Essentials about e-commerce’s impact on corrugated packaging
27 risk scenarios to help model the future of the market
E-commerce giants are working to use less corrugatedThe intensity of box usage per dollar of retail spending has increased in recent years, mostly due to the growth of e-commerce. However, this relationship – of growing online sales supporting growing box-usage intensity – is likely to deteriorate going forward.
Slowing growth, alternative packaging materials, and other threatsCurrent trends that threaten containerboard demand growth include:
The Impact of E-commerce on North American Paper Packaging Markets provides expert evaluation of these trends – backed by the most exhaustive data and analysis available from any source.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has had a pronounced impact on the packaging industry across the GCC region, sending March containerboard prices and demand soaring. With shipping routes disrupted and fuel costs climbing, packaging producers are facing considerable logistical hurdles. As import delays persist, Saudi Arabia has seen a surge in containerboard demand, with orders increasingly redirected to local mills. Meanwhile, UAE fuel prices have jumped by 72%, though Saudi prices have remained stable despite volatility in global oil markets.
The EU-Mercosur trade agreement, set to take provisional effect in 2026, aims to reduce trade barriers between the two regions. However, the deal faces significant opposition from environmental groups and EU agricultural sectors. For the pulp and paper industry, the effects will be phased in over several years, with an analysis by Cepi showing that tariff reductions will be gradual, eventually benefiting about 85% of EU pulp exports and 90% of paper and board exports.
Discover the latest tissue paper market trends in China. Learn why China tissue jumbo roll prices are fluctuating and what it means for buyers and mills.
Fastmarkets is proposing to launch new price series for its benchmark European PIX Pulp gross prices and North American effective list pulp prices from June 1, 2026. The new prices would run concurrently alongside existing prices for one year before the existing prices with higher discount levels are discontinued on June 1, 2027.
See how surging fuel costs and inflation reshape North American paper and board markets. Read our analysis of the oil shock impact on paper packaging. Read more.
The publication of Fastmarkets’ India domestic recycled containerboard price assessments for Friday April 3 will be delayed due to staffing availabilities.
Fastmarkets proposes to launch four monthly price assessments for tissue jumbo rolls delivered to Europe on Thursday May 28.
European sawn timber markets moved into February 2026 in a broadly cautious mood, with price stability across most grades and destinations masking a more anxious undercurrent driven by the eruption of the Iran conflict and its mounting consequences for global freight markets.
Fastmarkets is inviting feedback from the industry on its pricing methodologies and product specifications for softwood wood products, as part of its annual methodology review process.
The Middle East energy shock is driving up European natural gas prices, inflating paper packaging costs. Protect your F&B margins today with our data-driven procurement intelligence.