Paper Products Manufacturers NAICS 3222
Unlock access to the full platform with more than 900 industry reports and local economic insights.
Get access to this Industry Profile including 18+ chapters and more than 50 pages of industry research.
Industry Summary
The 2,100 companies in the US manufacture paper products by cutting, shaping, coating, or laminating paper and other materials. End products are often referred to as converted paper goods. Product categories include paperboard containers, paper bags, coated and treated paper, stationery products, and sanitary products.
Variability in Raw Materials’ Costs
The paper industry is cyclical and cost of wood pulp (primary material in paper manufacturing) can fluctuate depending on global supply and demand.
Competition from Imports
Imports of converted paper products have grown at a healthy rate over the last decade.
Recent Developments
Aug 6, 2025 - US Boxboard, Containerboard Production Drops
- US boxboard production was flat in the second quarter of 2025 compared to Q2 2024, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AFPA). The boxboard operating rate was 87.6% in the second quarter of 2024, down 1.8 percentage points from Q2 2024. US containerboard production decreased 5% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to Q2 2024, according to the AFPA. Total US containerboard production for export declined 12% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
- The global folding carton market is valued at $132.8 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach $159.6 billion by 2030, according to market research firm Smithers. Folding carton volumes are projected to increase from 52.4 million metric tons to 63.1 million metric tons by 2030. By product, growth will be driven by collation and shrink-wrap films, as well as trays for fresh produce and food service. Confectionery, chilled food, food service, soft drinks, and beer are the fastest-growing end-use markets. The industry is being driven by government and consumer pressures to improve recyclability and to reduce single-use plastics.
- The US paper product manufacturing industry is expected to experience sluggish sales growth in the coming years, and the overall economy's growth will outpace it. The industry’s year-over-year sales fell to 1.1% in 2024 after increasing 1.2% in 2023, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. Sales growth is projected to rise to 1.9% in 2025, then see average annual growth of about 1.5% through 2029, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc.
- US manufacturing growth is expected to slow in 2025 amid trade strife, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainties, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s Spring 2025 Supply Chain Planning Forecast. Manufacturing revenue is forecast to rise by 0.1%, 4.1 percentage points below the ISM’s previous forecast released in December 2025. Over a third of the ISM survey respondents expect revenues to increase in 2025, 22% said revenues will fall, and 44% expect no change. Capital expenditures are projected to decrease by 1.3% in 2025, a significant drop from a 5.2% rise forecasted in the ISM’s December 2024 report. Manufacturing activity is a leading demand driver for paper and paper products.
Industry Revenue
Paper Products Manufacturers
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
A typical paper product manufacturer employs 130 workers and generates $66 million annually.
- The paper product manufacturing industry consists of about 2,100 companies that employ about 269,900 workers and generate $136.8 billion annually.
- The 50 largest firms account for 61% of industry revenue.
- Some large companies are vertically integrated and own paper mills.
- Large companies include Kimberly-Clark, Smurfit Westrock (formerly Smurfit Kappa and WestRock), and Amcor (Bemis Company).
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Paper Products Manufacturers Industry Growth
Source: Vertical IQ and Inforum
Vertical IQ Industry Report
For anyone actively digging deeper into a specific industry.
50+ pages of timely industry insights
18+ chapters
PDF delivered to your inbox
