Proposal to launch three domestic Indian recycled testliner price assessments

India’s fast-growing economy, powered by strong consumption, booming e-commerce, and export-focused policies, is driving structural growth in corrugated packaging demand across FMCG, retail, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and fresh produce. The ban on single-use plastics and a broader sustainability push have accelerated the shift toward paper-based, recyclable packaging.

Our assessment brings clarity to India’s fragmented corrugated ecosystem, where “kraft paper” often refers to multiple brown grades, including fluting and sack-kraft, alongside testliner-the key outer layer for corrugated boxes. With thousands of MSME converters and over 140 mills producing testliners, transparent and independent price benchmarks are critical. Quality standardization is expected to increase as domestic brands and exporters align with global norms.

The proposed price specifications are as follows:

Containerboard, testliner, recycled, exw India, Indian rupees/tonne

Quality: testliner 120 gsm basis weight; 18-22 BF, ‘Natural’ shade
Quantity: minimum of 20 tonnes
Location: ex-works (North, West and South India)
Timing: Spot and contract cargoes
Unit: Indian rupees per tonne
Payment terms: Normal and customary, typically 15-60 days after delivery
Publication: Monthly, first Friday of the month, 11:30am India time
Furnish: 100% recycled.

Separate prices will be published for North, West, and South India.

The prices will be part of the Fastmarkets Paper Packaging price package.

The consultation period for this proposed launch starts on Friday December 5 and will end on Monday January 5. The launch will take place, subject to market feedback, on Friday January 9.

To provide feedback on this price or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to this price, please contact pricing@fastmarkets.com and paperpackaging@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “re: Domestic India containerboard prices.”

Please indicate if comments are confidential. Fastmarkets will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.

To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to the Fastmarkets methodology page.