Paper Replaces Plastic: The USD 1.4B Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Boom

Honeycomb kraft packaging is a paper-based cushioning and void-fill material manufactured by die-cutting and expanding kraft paper into a hexagonal honeycomb structure that provides shock absorption, compression strength, and lightweight protection.
Used as a plastic-free substitute for bubble wrap, EPS foam, and plastic fillers.
Global Market Overview
2025 market size: USD 1,420 million
2031 market size: USD 2,449 million
Forecast CAGR (2025 to 2032): 8.1%
Average selling price (ASP): USD 1,150/ton
Total unit volume sold (2025): 1,234K Ton
Cost of goods sold (COGS): USD 920/ton
Factory gross profit: USD 230/ton
Factory gross margin: 20%
COGS Breakdown
Kraft liner paper 58%
Adhesive/glue 9%
Energy & utilities 12%
Labor 6%
Depreciation & machinery 6%
Overhead & logistics 9%
Production Capacity Fully automated honeycomb line:5K tons per year per line
Downstream Industry Demand
E-commerce & logistics 38%
Consumer electronics 19%
Furniture & home goods 16%
Automotive & industrial parts 12%
Glass/fragile goods 9%
Others 6%
Latest Trends and Technological Developments
Jan 2025: Major retailers mandate plastic-free shipping, accelerating kraft honeycomb adoption.
Mar 2025: Roll-to-roll auto-expansion machines launched with 30% faster speed and lower energy usage.
Jun 2025: AI-driven die-cut optimization reduces paper waste by 1215%.
Aug 2025: Water-based bio-adhesives introduced for fully compostable packaging.
Nov 2025: Growth in on-demand packing stations for e-commerce warehouses.
Asia Regional Insights
Asia accounts for 46% of global consumption
Key growth drivers:
Rapid e-commerce in China
Electronics exports from Japan and South Korea
Cost-competitive kraft production
China dominates machinery manufacturing and low-cost rolls
Japan focuses on high-precision die-cut protective inserts
Korea emphasizes electronics cushioning solutions
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Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Paper by Type:
Below 100 GSM

Above 100 GSM

Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Paper by Product Category:
Lightweight Honeycomb Paper

Medium Weight Honeycomb Paper

Heavyweight Honeycomb Paper

Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Paper by Market Segment:
Uncoated Honeycomb Paper

Coated Honeycomb Paper

Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Paper by Features:
Shock Absorbption

Lighweight Cushioning

Anti Scratch Protection

Moisture Resistant

Others

Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Paper by Material:
Virgin Kraft Paper

Recycled Kraft Paper

FCS Certified Paper

Unbleach Natural Kraft

Others

Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Paper by Application:
Food and Beverages

Electronics

Art

Glassware

Others

Global Top 30 Key Companies in the Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Paper Market
BENZ Packaging (Haryana, India)

Cartoflex (Luneburg, Germany)

L'Hexagone (La Guerche de Bretagne, France)

Honicel Nederland (Zelhem, Netheralnds)

Forlit (Rohatec, Czech Republic)

Axxor (Zwolle, Netherlands)

Dufaylite Developments (Cambridgeshire, UK)

Primepac Industrial (Auckland, New Zealand)

Ajit Industries (Delhi, India)

CPS Paper Products (Machester UK)

Jagannath Polymers (Jaipur, India)

Saica Paper (Zragoza, Spain)

Meta Pack Sdn Bhd (Elangor, Malaysia)

WiAir Corporation (Shanghai, Chjina)

Dongguan Huanyou Package Products (Guangdong, China)

Signode Industrial Group (Florida, US)

Ranpak Holdings Corp. (Ohio. US)

Pregis LLC (Illinois. US)

Smurfit Westrock (Dublin. Ireland)

DS Smith Plc (London. UK)

Sealed Air Corporation (North Carolina. US)

International Paper (Tennessee, US)

Shandong Hexing Packaging (Shandong, China)

Dongguan Hexing Packing Materials (Guangdong, China)

Thai Containers Group (Bangkok, Thailand)

Mondi Group (Vienna. Austria)

Sonoco Products Company (South Carolina. US)

SCG Packaging (Bangkok. Thailand)

Oji Holdings Corporation (Tokyo. Japan)

Paperfil (Omni Group) (Victoria. Australia)

Regional Insights
ASEAN share: 14% of global demand, fastest growth (>10% CAGR)
Regional advantages:
Rising export packaging needs
Government bans on plastic fillers
Local kraft paper mills reducing import dependency
Country highlights
Indonesia
Strong kraft liner production base
Furniture & electronics packaging demand
Emerging domestic converters
Vietnam
Export-oriented manufacturing drives protective packaging growth
Thailand
Automotive parts and appliance packaging adoption
Malaysia
Regional logistics hub
Industry Challenges
Volatile kraft paper prices
Lower durability vs plastic in humid environments
High capital cost for automation lines
Freight cost sensitivity due to bulky rolls
Competition from molded pulp and corrugated inserts
Strategic Insights
Vertical integration with kraft paper mills improves margin stability
On-demand conversion systems lower inventory
Customized die-cut inserts command 1520% price premium
Regional production near fulfillment centers reduces logistics costs
Sustainability certifications increase brand adoption
Product Models
Honeycomb Kraft Packaging Paper is an eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable cushioning and protective material made from kraft paper with a distinctive 3D honeycomb structure that provides excellent shock absorption and strength for packaging and transit protection.
Below 100 GSM is lightweight, flexible, and ideal for everyday wrapping, filling voids in cartons, and protecting delicate surfaces without adding heavy bulk. These are often used by ecommerce small businesses and gift packers. Notable products include:
Benz Honeycomb Kraft Roll BENZ Packaging: Light honeycomb kraft paper roll (70 to 90 GSM) for everyday packaging; best for ecommerce & retail. Price: $1.80 to 3.50/m. Customers: Online sellers & small manufacturers. Eco-friendly wrap with strong cushioning.
Flexi Honeycomb Wrap Cartoflex: 80 GSM expanded kraft wrap. Price: $2.00 to 3.80/m. Customers: Gift shops & art/craft packers Easy tear & quick wrapping.
Honicel Light Honeycomb Honicel Nederland: 75 to 85 GSM sustainable wrap. Price: $2.10 to 3.60/m. Customers: Small exporters Brown kraft with strong cushion.
Forlit Honeycomb Paper Forlit: 80 GSM basic kraft roll. Price: $2.00 to 3.50/m. Customers: Warehouse packers Economical protective layer.
Axxor Eco Wrap Axxor: 70 GSM honeycomb. Price: $1.90 to 3.20/m. Customers: Local furniture crafters Lightweight protection.
Above 100 GSM is sturdier and more robust, delivering heavier cushioning and structural support suitable for industrial goods, heavier items, and applications requiring greater impact resistance. Notable products include:
Saica Heavy Duty Honeycomb Saica Paper: 120 to 150 GSM robust kraft. Price: $4.50 to 7.50/m. Customers: Industrial goods shipments Strong protection against impact.
Meta Pack Industrial Kraft Meta Pack Sdn Bhd: 110 to 130 GSM roll. Price: $4.00 to 7.00/m. Customers: Electronics & machinery shippers Rigid honeycomb buffer.
Signode Pro Honeycomb Paper Signode Industrial Group: 125 to 160 GSM premium. Price: $5.00 to 8.50/m. Customers: Industrial logistics Premium cushioning.
Cartoflex Industrial Kraft Cartoflex: 115 GSM heavy wrap. Price: $4.00 to 7.00/m. Customers: Automotive & parts shippers Strong kraft cushion.
Hexacomb® Premium Core Ranpak Holdings Corp.: high-density honeycomb kraft paper. Price: $1.50$3.00/ft | Customers: Enterprise & premium e-commerce brands.
Investor Takeaways
Strong regulatory tailwinds favor paper alternatives
Stable 20% factory margins with scale efficiencies
ASEAN offers fastest growth and lower capex costs
High switching rate from plastic fillers
Automation improves profitability and consistency
Investor Analysis
The market presents a clear structural shift toward sustainable, paper-based protection. Predictable demand from e-commerce and export manufacturing provides stable volume visibility, while new automated lines enhance margins and throughput. Investors benefit by targeting converters near logistics hubs, kraft mills, or adopting AI-driven smart conversion systems. Opportunities exist in bio-adhesives, custom die-cut inserts, and on-demand packing technology, offering differentiated returns beyond commodity rolls.
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5 Reasons to Buy This Report
Comprehensive pricing and cost breakdown
Detailed capacity and production economics
ASEAN and Indonesia growth intelligence
Competitive landscape and key players
Actionable investor insights and strategies.
5 Key Questions Answered
What is the 2025 market size and growth trajectory?
What are realistic factory margins and cost structures?
Which regions drive fastest demand growth?
Who are the leading manufacturers globally and in ASEAN?
Where are the best investment and technology opportunities?
Chapter Outline
Chapter 1: Introduces the report scope of the report, executive summary of different market segments (by region, product type, application, etc), including the market size of each market segment, future development potential, and so on. It offers a high-level view of the current state of the market and its likely evolution in the short to mid-term, and long term.
Chapter 2: key insights, key emerging trends, etc.
Chapter 3: Manufacturers competitive analysis, detailed analysis of the product manufacturers competitive landscape, price, sales and revenue market share, latest development plan, merger, and acquisition information, etc.
Chapter 4: Provides profiles of key players, introducing the basic situation of the main companies in the market in detail, including product sales, revenue, price, gross margin, product introduction, recent development, etc.
Chapter 5 & 6: Sales, revenue of the product in regional level and country level. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region and its main countries and introduces the market development, future development prospects, market space, and market size of each country in the world.
Chapter 7: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Type, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different market segments.
Chapter 8: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Application, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different downstream markets.
Chapter 9: Analysis of industrial chain, including the upstream and downstream of the industry.
Chapter 10: The main points and conclusions of the report.

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