Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $8.2bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Resilient growth amid shifting consumer and cost dynamics in Canadian cardboard packaging
- Over the past five years, consumer spending in Canada has risen modestly by 3.5%. Strong consumer spending supported steady demand for cardboard boxes and containers. The sector benefited from its critical role in packaging and shipping a wide range of goods, with food and beverages remaining its most significant market segment.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Persistent, but slower, downstream demand will contribute to a slower industry growth
- Industry revenue growth is projected to decelerate over the next five years as consumer spending slows and broader economic activity softens. Since Q3 2025, per capita consumer spending has begun to slow to 1.5% from 2.5% in previous quarter, on top of a nearly-zero population growth. Manufacturers will see persistent, but weaker, downstream demand from key sectors like retail and food, limiting opportunities for robust expansion.
Biggest companies in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing in Canada
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 | Profit ($m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cascades | 1,082.0 | 75.2 | 7.0 | |
Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd | 778.8 | 80.6 | 10.3 | |
WestRock | 615.4 | 34.7 | 5.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Corrugated and solid fibre boxes, Folding cartons and Other boxes and containers. Corrugated and solid fibre boxes is the largest segment of the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing in Canada.
Trends and Insights
Demand for corrugated and solid fibre boxes rises over the past years
- Corrugated and solid fibre boxes, the industry’s largest product segment, are widely used for shipping and storage due to their durability and versatility. Their ability to safely transport a variety of goods, including consumer products, industrial parts and perishables, makes them indispensable across numerous sectors from retail to food processing.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry includes companies which primarily convert purchased paper, paperboard and old corrugated containers into cardboard boxes, containers and similar packaging. The industry produces corrugated and solid cardboard packaging for a range of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, wholesale, shipping, retail and others.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada include Manufacturing corrugated and solid fibre boxes, Manufacturing folding cartons, Manufacturing nonfolding sanitary food containers, Manufacturing fibre cans, tubes, drums and similar products and Manufacturing rigid-sided setup paperboard boxes.Companies
Companies covered in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada include Cascades, Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd and WestRock.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada include corrugated medium, containerboard, linerboard and sanitary food containers.Industry Code
NAICS 32221 - Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing in Canada
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
E-commerce demand has significantly increased revenue growth. Strong consumer spending has boosted the need for containerboards for packaging and shipping. Resilient economic...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Corrugated and solid fibre boxes dominate industry production. Their versatility and essential role in shipping and e-commerce ensure consistent demand, while innovation in d...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Ontario and Quebec leverage resource access and proximity to populous markets. Their centralized locations support efficient supply chains and large-scale, cost-effective pro...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each province in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each province in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Low market concentration and strong buyer power shape industry competition. With many small manufacturers and powerful, price-sensitive buyers, companies must differentiate t...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Manufacturers’ revenue expanded during the recent economic boom. Strong household spending contributed to higher volumes and prices for paperboard manufacturers.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Cascades's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of WestRock's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Cascades, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for WestRock, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Consumer spending is a major factor influencing industry revenue. Higher consumer purchases drive demand for packaging, directly benefiting Canadian cardboard box and contain...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Input material purchases remain the dominant and most volatile cost driver. Despite other fluctuations, the industry’s profitability heavily depends on managing and passing t...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
- Assets (2018-2023)
- Liabilities (2018-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada in 2025?
The market size of the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada is $8.2bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada in 2025?
There are 190 businesses in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada?
The Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada?
The Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada is likely to be impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
Has the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada?
The biggest companies operating in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada are Cascades, Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd and WestRock
What does the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada include?
Manufacturing corrugated and solid fibre boxes and Manufacturing folding cartons are part of the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada?
The company holding the most market share in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada is Cascades.
How competitive is the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Cardboard Box & Container Manufacturing industry in Canada.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Canada include:
- Statistics Canada
- Industry Canada
- Canadian Business Patterns
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
