ASEAN Folding Cartons Market: ASEAN Folding Cartons Industry Set for Robust Growth

ASEAN Folding Cartons Market

 

Rise of E-commerce Driving Demand for Folding Cartons

The growth of e-commerce in Southeast Asia has provided a major boost to the folding cartons market in the region. As more consumers shift their shopping online, there is increasing need for secure and sustainable packaging for delivering products to customers. Folding cartons have emerged as the packaging of choice for e-commerce retailers due to their lightweight and inexpensive nature along with providing protection during shipping. Leading e-tailers in the region such as Lazada, Shopee and Tokopedia are major consumers of folding cartons.

According to analysts at Persistence Market Research, the ASEAN folding cartons market is projected to rise at a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period of 2021 to 2031 to reach a valuation of US$ 3.5 Bn. 

ASEAN Folding Cartonst The packaging requirements of the booming e-commerce sector will remain the primary growth driver in the coming years. Replacing alternative packaging materials like plastic and paper bags with environment-friendly carton boards is boosting adoption.

Increasing Demand from Food and Beverage Industry

The food and beverage industry has always been one of the largest end-users of folding cartons in ASEAN countries. Folding cartons are used extensively for primary as well as secondary packaging of items ranging from breakfast cereals, snacks and canned food to drinks. Rising disposable incomes and changing consumption patterns are fuelling demand for packaged F&B products in the region. Growing health awareness is also driving sales of carton packaged milk, juices and nutrition bars. Major food companies prefer folding cartons for their printability and graphics display capabilities to attract consumers.

Rising Demand in Indonesia and Vietnam

Among ASEAN countries, Indonesia is the largest market for folding cartons with value sales projected to reach US$ 1.1 Bn by 2031. Expanding modern retail sector, booming e-commerce and strong consumer packaged goods industry provides the underlying growth environment. Vietnam is also emerging as a high growth market with year-on-year gains of over 8% expected in folding cartons demand driven by flourishing F&B and personal care sectors. Other Southeast Asian countries with sizable opportunities include Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines where folding carton consumption is rising on the back of industrialization and urbanization.

Sustainability Drives Shift to ASEAN Folding Cartons Market

Regulatory push for curbing plastic and paper bag wastage is encouraging end-users to opt for more sustainable carton board packaging. Carton boards made from recycled materials are increasingly gaining preference. Major players are focused on developing ultra-lightweight, recyclable carton board variants to further boost sustainability credentials and tap into consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging. Innovation in multi-ply, wax and laminated carton boards is helping to improve barrier properties and extend shelf life of products. This is key for replacing plastic and glass containers with folding cartons across industries.

Customization and Small-run Capabilities Spur Growth

The ability of cartons to be printed, shaped and cut as per client requirements with quick turnarounds is driving their uptake over other substrates such as plastic containers in ASEAN. Brand owners value how cartons allow expressing their brand identity through vibrant colors and graphics in an economical manner. Small and medium businesses are especially drawn to carton packaging due to affordable shorter production runs. Leading carton manufacturers are able to produce custom cartons in batches as low as 25,000 using advanced digital printing technologies. This has boosted the ‘fill-in’ potential for cartons.

Rising Investments in Automation

Major carton producers are ramping up investments in state-of-the-art production and converting equipment to gain scale and efficiency. Automated carton cutting, creasing, printing and assembly lines have sharply reduced per unit costs. Robotic palletizing systems are replacing manual labor for handling carton inventory and outbound shipping. Investments in rotary and flat-bed die-cutters have enabled just-in-time manufacturing. Sustainable raw material sourcing practices and energy efficiency projects are also being undertaken to improve operational efficiencies. Successful companies are targeting to become regional leaders through production footprint expansion and M&A activities.

In conclusion, the folding cartons market in ASEAN countries holds immense growth prospects backed by robust demand from fast expanding e-commerce and consumer goods sectors. Sustainability regulatory push and customization capabilities will drive greater packaging conversions in favor of folding cartons. Technological innovations and production automation are helping industry players enhance competitiveness.

 

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