Italian box manufacturers between challenges and opportunities for the future
On the occasion of Print4All, the leading event for professionals in printing and converting – scheduled at Fiera Milano from May 27 to 30, 2025 – Associazione Italiana Scatolifici presented the results of its most recent internal survey, offering an in-depth analysis of the sector’s health and its future prospects.
The survey was the focus of the talk “Italian box manufacturers in 2024: challenges and opportunities for the future”, held on Tuesday, May 28 at 3:00 PM, featuring the participation of Andrea Mecarozzi, President of Associazione Italiana Scatolifici, and Vice President Giorgio Bramezza.
The event represented a key moment of discussion to reflect on the performance of a sector that experienced a complex 2024, marked by a decline in revenue, but that looks to 2025 with expectations of stability and growth, with a focus on sustainability and collaboration between companies.
Economic data
The analysis highlights a sector withstanding economic difficulties and market changes. 64.7% of box manufacturers reported a decrease in revenue in 2024 compared to 2023. 13.7% recorded stability, while 21.6% reported growth over the previous year.
Looking to 2025, the outlook is cautiously optimistic: 37.3% expect growth, 35.3% forecast stability, while 27.4% anticipate a decline in revenue compared to 2024.
The survey also provided a snapshot of the size of Italian converting box manufacturers, showing strong balance among small, medium, medium-large and large companies. 28% of companies report a turnover of up to €3 million; 28% between €3 and €6 million; 17% between €6 and €10.5 million; and 27% over €10.5 million.
The trend in corrugated board purchases reflects the revenue trend: about 50% of companies reduced the square meters of board processed in 2024, 11.8% recorded stability, and about 40% reported an increase. For 2025, 35.3% of manufacturers expect purchase volumes to remain stable, while 29.4% anticipate growth of up to 5%.
Production and business management
From a production perspective, 2024 confirmed the Casemaker/Slotter – Rotary Die Cutter as the machine with the greatest impact on turnover, with 88.2% of companies identifying it as the most relevant. The American box therefore remains highly important in production; a product that has evolved in line with market demands: from the simple “brown box” to a tool for marketing and communication, also thanks to advances in printing technologies on corrugated board.
In terms of target industries, the leading sector for box manufacturers in 2024 was food (which, combined with beverages, accounts for nearly 60%), followed by furniture/plumbing & HVAC and automotive/mechanical.
The main business challenges for 2025, according to manufacturers, will be: finding qualified personnel and managing human resources; price competition from large integrated groups and non-integrated manufacturers; the increase in costs and the difficulty in passing on raw material price increases.
Trends and opportunities
In terms of market directions and new client demands, the survey revealed a significant increase in demand for board certified by forest chain-of-custody schemes (FSC, PEFC) and for compositions with a higher percentage of recycled material. This confirms the sector’s continued progress towards new goals of sustainability and circularity.
As for opportunities, box manufacturers are increasingly interested in replacing other packaging materials with paper and board. Currently, 47.1% of respondents have already seized opportunities related to replacing plastic packaging, paving a path likely to be strengthened by the many changes set to be introduced over the next three years by the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Also in terms of opportunity, the creation of synergies among converting box manufacturers is seen as crucial to approaching the market with greater solidity and competitiveness.
“The data confirm that the box manufacturing sector is constantly evolving and facing increasingly complex challenges. Despite the difficulties, companies have demonstrated remarkable adaptability, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. I believe the signs of optimism emerging from the survey are an important indicator of the strength of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, who face each day with positivity and hope for the future,” said Andrea Mecarozzi, President of Associazione Italiana Scatolifici.
“I’m also pleased to see that our companies recognise networking and synergy between box manufacturers as a strategic asset. I believe this is also the result of the work carried out over the years by our association, which has brought the sector together and will continue to be the platform for its development and promotion.”
For more information: Spencer & Lewis for Associazione Italiana Scatolifici
