Spain’s Corrugated Cardboard Sector Generates €7.2 Billion in 2025, Ranks Third in Europe

Spain’s corrugated cardboard industry generated €7.168 billion in total revenues in 2025, maintaining its position as Europe’s third-largest producer, according to figures released by Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Envases y Embalajes de Cartón Ondulado.

The sector comprises 66 corrugating companies operating 89 factories across the country, reflecting a well-established industrial base that supports a wide range of economic activities. Total employment reached 26,875 jobs, including 12,775 direct positions, underscoring the industry’s role in providing stable and specialized employment.

Production volumes reached 5.941 billion square meters of corrugated cardboard in 2025, while paper consumption at corrugating plants totaled 3.347 million tonnes. These figures place Spain behind only Germany and Italy in European output.

Per capita consumption remained stable at 61.02 kilograms per person, indicating consistent demand across key sectors. The food industry accounted for the majority share at 61%, followed by consumer goods (13.46%), logistics and e-commerce (9.14%), and capital and auxiliary goods (7.61%).

The data highlights corrugated cardboard’s central role in supply chains, particularly in protecting goods and supporting distribution channels such as retail and e-commerce.

AFCO also emphasized the sector’s alignment with circular economy principles. Corrugated cardboard is produced from renewable and biodegradable raw materials and benefits from a highly efficient recycling system. Fibres can be reused more than 25 times without significant quality loss. Across Europe, the material achieves a recycling rate of approximately 95%, making it the most recycled packaging material in the region.

“The 2025 figures confirm not only the stability and solidity of corrugated cardboard in Spain, but also its capacity to continue acting as an economic engine, a logistics ally, and a model of applied circular economy,” said Leopoldo Santorromán, president of AFCO.