European OCC Market Rebounded in 2024

If your small business relies on cardboard packaging — whether for shipping, retail displays, or recycling revenue — there’s some positive news from across the pond. The European paper and board industry saw a notable recovery in 2024, which could signal trends that might impact the U.S. cardboard market as well.

According to the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI), paper and board consumption in Europe rose by 7.5% in 2024, bouncing back from a tough 2023. Production also grew, though at a slightly slower rate of 5.2%. Packaging boards, which include the cardboard used for shipping boxes and retail packaging, saw a healthy boost — containerboard production increased by 4.3%, and carton board (popular for retail packaging) grew by 9.9%.

Why does this matter for American small businesses? Trends in Europe’s packaging sector often reflect global supply and demand shifts, especially as recycled cardboard moves across international markets.

One of the most important takeaways for small businesses invested in cardboard recycling is that Europe’s use of recovered paper (essentially, recycled cardboard and paper) also climbed by 4.1%. This rebound comes after two years of decline, signaling that demand for recycled materials is picking up again.

Recovered paper isn’t just a European matter — in 2023, the U.S. exported 220,000 metric tons of recovered paper to Europe. This means that as European mills ramp up their recycling efforts, it could influence prices and availability of recycled cardboard stateside.

The cardboard market is more connected than you might think. Even as a small business owner in the U.S., global trends in paper and board production can influence your packaging costs, recycling rebates, and sustainability practices. Staying informed helps you make smarter decisions — whether you’re sourcing eco-friendly packaging or turning your used cardboard into a revenue stream.

Looking to learn more about how cardboard recycling can benefit your business? Keep following our blog for updates on sustainability, packaging innovations, and recycling solutions tailored to small businesses and use Greene Recycling for your cardboard bale pickup today!