According to a new report from Smithers, regulatory changes and sustainable innovation will shape the specialty papers market over the next five years.
The study, The Future of Specialty Papers to 2030, forecasts that global demand will reach 28.2 million tonnes in 2025 and grow to 31.3 million tonnes by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%.
Flexible packaging, printing papers, and labels will remain the largest product categories, representing nearly half of global consumption in 2025. Growth will be strongly influenced by the introduction of stricter regulations promoting recyclable and fiber-based alternatives.
In Europe, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), revised in 2025, is replacing earlier directives with binding requirements to transition all packaging to recyclable versions by 2030. The regulation also limits the use of virgin materials and imposes financial penalties for companies that fail to comply.
In North America, regulatory progress is slower and less coordinated, with individual U.S. states considering or implementing their own extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks. However, similar trends are emerging across Africa, Oceania, and other regions.
Smithers notes that the regulatory push is already driving the shift away from petroleum-based films in flexible packaging toward recyclable, paper-based structures. Requirements for recycled content and improved end-of-life options—such as recyclability and compostability—are now key design considerations.
At the same time, new technologies are contributing to the sector’s transformation. Advances include smart control systems for papermaking, artificial intelligence in packaging design, and faster, more efficient digital printing. Barrier coating techniques like curtain coating are also gaining ground, enabling recyclable paper-based packaging with enhanced performance.
Smithers concludes that regulatory measures, combined with rapid technological change, will accelerate the transition to more sustainable specialty papers while reshaping the competitive landscape for producers worldwide.
Smithers is a global provider of market reports, consulting, testing, and events, specializing in packaging, paper, print, and related industries. The company delivers data-driven insights to help businesses anticipate trends and make informed strategic decisions.
