The Future of E-commerce Packaging to 2029

Table of Contents Key Facts and Figures

There is a current world demand of $75.3 billion for e-commerce packaging.
Corrugated packaging has the highest growth rate, at 9.5% CAGR to 2029.

This in-depth report investigates the rapidly developing market of e-commerce packaging, and examines how consumer demands, coupled with brand desire to create the best possible customer experience, are driving growth. Based on major new primary research, the report outlines the major developments happening in this fast-changing space, and identities specific market and technology opportunities to 2029.

E-commerce refers to any commercial transactions made over the internet, mobile phone network, or online trading platform. E-commerce transactions can occur as business-toconsumer (B2C), business-to-business (B2B), consumer-toconsumer (C2C) or less frequently consumer-to-business (C2B).

This report examines the market size for e-commerce packaging with growth forecast over the next five years, segmented by material, packaging type, end-use, and geography.

Key Questions

Has the packaging industry responded to demands for sustainable solutions and are these being incorporated into the e-commerce packaging market?
How is the impact of new regulations changing the type of packaging used in e-commerce?
How are variations in packaging needs impacting regional market growth?
What new technologies have been instrumental in solving problems in the e-commerce packaging industry?

This report is essential to:

Packaging raw material suppliers
Packaging converters and manufacturers
Retailers and brand owners

About the author
Jonathan Thomas has been active in the market research and information field for almost 30 years. Jonathan has worked for Key Note and Leatherhead Food Research, and as a freelance consultant with Smithers since 2016. During that time, he has researched and authored reports covering various sectors of the global packaging industry

Name The Future of E-commerce Packaging to 2029

Date 11/12/2024

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Executive summary

The global e-commerce packaging industry
E-commerce packaging materials
E-commerce packaging by end use markets
E-commerce packaging by geographic markets Introduction and methodology

Introduction

Report scope
Report objectives
Methodology
Data
- Packaging type
- End-use sectors
- Geographic regions
Definitions
List of terms used

Key drivers and trends

Introduction
Global Population Trends
E-commerce market overview
- The global e-commerce market
- Mobile commerce
- Social commerce
- Leading e-commerce operators
Consumer behaviour & attitudes
- Payment trends
- Personalised packaging
- Unboxing
Sustainability
- Packaging materials
- Recycling and reusability
- Lightweighting
E-commerce industry initiatives
Legislation

Cutting-edge technology

Introduction
Packaging technologies
- Intelligent packaging
- Smart labels
- Rightsizing
- Digital product passports (DPPs)
- Packaging closures
Supply chain technologies
- Transportation and inventory management
- Digital warehouses
- Automated deliveries

E-commerce packaging market by packaging type

Overview
Flexible packaging
Corrugated board packaging
Protective mailers
Protective packaging

E-commerce packaging market by end-use

Overview
Food and drink
Personal care and cosmetics
Electrical goods
Books and media
Clothing, footwear and accessories
Toys and sports equipment
Home and garden furniture

E-commerce packaging market by geography

Overview
Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- Other Asia-Pacific
Western Europe
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- UK
- Other Western Europe
Eastern Europe
- Russia
- Other Eastern Europe
North America
- US
- Canada
- Mexico
South and Central America
- Brazil
- Other South and Central America
Middle East and Africa
- Turkey
- Other Middle East and Africa

List of Figures

Global e-commerce packaging market by material ($ million), 2019 and 2029
Global e-commerce packaging market volume CAGR growth rates by material (%), 2019–24 and 2024–29
Global e-commerce packaging market by material (% value), 2024
Global e-commerce packaging market by end-user sector ($ million), 2019 and 2029
Global e-commerce packaging market by end-user sector (% value), 2024
Global e-commerce packaging market by region ($ million), 2019 and 2029
Global e-commerce packaging market by region (% value), 2024
Global e-commerce packaging market by country (% value), 2024
Global Rural vs Urban Population (billion people), 2000-2022
Global e-commerce market ($ billion), 2021-2027
Percentage of internet users purchasing goods/services online in selected countries (%), Q1 2024
Taobao Live from Alibaba
Amazon Shopping app Top 10 social media platforms worldwide (million of monthly active users), 2024
TikTok Shop Global online payment methods by transactional value (%), 2023
L’Oreal Color & Co hair dye brand
Glossier beauty brand e-commerce packaging
Packaging recycling rates in selected Western European countries (%), 2022/2023
JD.com’s resuable green board box packaging Global active and intelligent packaging market, 2019–24 ($ billion)
Securikett VOID anti-tampering technology
CASi-SmartBox automated packing system
Aptar E Disc
Top leak-free e-commerce packaging
G-Star online clothing store
Digital warehouse management system from Mecalux
Zipline delivery drone
Self-driving delivery robot from Vayu Robotics
Global e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type 2019–29 (% share by value)
Flexible e-commerce paper packaging from H & M Group
naturemailer from Ranpak
Mondi’s new paper-padded mailer SEE air cushions with recycled plastic
Floeter PaperWave bio-based air cushions
Global e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–29 (% share by value)
Amazon Dash Cart
Meal kit packaging from HelloFresh
Reposit returnable packaging for cosmetics brands
Leading online retailers of consumer electronics by revenue ($ billion), 2023
Packaging for new Apple Pencil Pro stylus
Samsung packaging for Galaxy smartphones
New packaging material to be adopted by LVMH
DelightBox e-commerce packaging from Mondi
Lego cardboard box made from recycled materials
MUTU System
Kitbox plastic-free packaging
Wayfair’s Decorify app
Global e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2024 (% share by value)
China’s share of the global e-commerce packaging market by sector, 2019 and 2024 (%)

List of Tables

List of definitions
Leading countries by smartphone user numbers (million), 2023/2024
Leading e-commerce companies by revenue ($ billion), 2023/2024
Amazon Sustainability Accelerators’s e-commerce packaging innovators, 2024
Single-use plastic bans in selected countries
E-commerce packaging by packaging type – growth and trends
E-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
Flexible packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 ($ million)
Flexible packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 ($ million)
Flexible packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 (million m2)
Flexible packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 (million m2)
Flexible packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 ($ million)
Flexible packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2024–29 ($ million)
Flexible packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 (million m2)
Flexible packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2024–29 (million m2)
US cardboard recycling rates, 2012- 2022
Antalis e-commerce corrugated box
Corrugated board packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 ($ million)
Corrugated board packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 ($ million)
Corrugated board packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Corrugated board packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Corrugated board packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 ($ million)
Corrugated board packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by region sector, 2024–29 ($ million)
Corrugated board packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Corrugated board packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by region sector, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Protective mailers: e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 ($ million)
Protective mailers: e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 ($ million)
Protective mailers: e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 (million m2)
Protective mailers: e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 (million m2)
Protective mailers: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 ($ million)
Protective mailers: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2024–29 ($ million)
Protective mailers: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 (million m2)
Protective mailers: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 (million m2)
Types of protective packaging used in e-commerce applications Protective packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 ($ million)
Protective packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 ($ million)
Protective packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 (million m3)
Protective packaging: e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 (million m3)
Protective packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 ($ million)
Protective packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2024–29 ($ million)
Protective packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 (million m3)
Protective packaging: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2024–29 (million m3)
E-commerce packaging by end-use sector – growth and trends E-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2019–24 ($ million)
Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by end-use sector, 2024–29 ($ million)
Food and drink: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Food and drink: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 (million m2)
Food and drink: corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Food and drink: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
Food and drink: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 (million m2)
Food and drink: Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Personal care and cosmetics: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Personal care and cosmetics: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 (million m2)
Personal care and cosmetics: corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Personal care and cosmetics: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
Personal care and cosmetics: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 (million m2)
Personal care and cosmetics: Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Electrical goods: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Electrical goods: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 (million m2)
Electrical goods: corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Electrical goods: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
Electrical goods: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 (million m2)
Electrical goods: Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Books and media: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Books and media: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 (million m2)
Books and media: corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Books and media: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
Books and media: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 (million m2)
Books and media: Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Clothing, footwear and accessories: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Clothing, footwear and accessories: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 (million m2)
Clothing, footwear and accessories: corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Clothing, footwear and accessories: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
Clothing, footwear and accessories: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 (million m2)
Clothing, footwear and accessories: Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Toys and sports equipment: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Toys and sports equipment: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 (million m2)
Toys and sports equipment: corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Toys and sports equipment: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
Toys and sports equipment: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 (million m2)
Toys and sports equipment: Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Home and garden equipment: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Home and garden equipment: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 (million m2)
Home and garden equipment: corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Home and garden equipment: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
Home and garden equipment: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 (million m2)
Home and garden equipment: Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
Global internet users and penetration by region, 2024 Global e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2019–24 ($ million)
Forecast global e-commerce packaging sales by region, 2024–29 ($ million)
Asia-Pacific: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Asia-Pacific: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
For each country: Economic trends, 2019–29 E-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million and million m2)
Corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million and million m2)
Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
List of countries:
China
Japan
South Korea
Other Asia-Pacific
Western Europe: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Western Europe: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
For each country: Economic trends, 2019–29 E-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million and million m2)
Corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million and million m2)
Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
List of countries:
France
Germany
Italy
UK
Other Western Europe
Eastern Europe: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Eastern Europe: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
For each country: Economic trends, 2019–29 E-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million and million m2)
Corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million and million m2)
Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
List of countries:
Russia
Other Eastern Europe
North America: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
North America: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
For each country: Economic trends, 2019–29 E-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million and million m2)
Corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million and million m2)
Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
List of countries:
US
Canada
Mexico
South & Central America: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
South & Central America: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
For each country: Economic trends, 2019–29 E-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million and million m2)
Corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million and million m2)
Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
List of countries:
Brazil
Other South & Central America
Middle East & Africa: e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million)
Middle East & Africa: Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million)
For each country: Economic trends, 2019–29 E-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2019–24 ($ million and million m2)
Corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2019–24 (‘000 tonnes)
Forecast e-commerce packaging sales by packaging type, 2024–29 ($ million and million m2)
Forecast corrugated board e-commerce packaging sales, 2024–29 (‘000 tonnes)
List of countries:
Turkey
Other Middle East & Africa