Paper coating materials market seen reaching $3.4 billion by 2031

By AI, Created 10:01 AM UTC, June 03, 2026, /AGP/ – Allied Market Research says the global paper coating materials market will rise from $2.1 billion in 2021 to $3.4 billion by 2031, driven by packaging demand and shifting preferences away from plastics. Asia-Pacific leads the market, while calcium carbonate and single-side coatings remain the biggest segments.

Why it matters: - Paper coating materials are tied to packaging, printing and hygiene products, making the market a proxy for demand in several consumer and industrial supply chains. - The forecast points to continued growth in paper-based alternatives as companies and consumers move away from some plastic packaging uses. - The market expansion also reflects rising demand for corrugated boxes, flexible paper packaging and coated paper for magazines, bindings and stationery.

What happened: - Allied Market Research published a report on the global paper coating materials market covering material type, coating type and end use across the 2022-2031 forecast period. - The market generated $2.1 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $3.4 billion by 2031, equal to a CAGR of 4.8%. - The report is available through a download brochure and a full summary report.

The details: - Calcium carbonate held the largest share by material type in 2021, with more than one-third of the global market. - Starch is projected to grow the fastest among materials, with a CAGR of 6.0% from 2022 to 2031. - Single-side coatings accounted for nearly two-thirds of the market in 2021 and are expected to remain the largest coating type. - Double-side coatings are forecast to grow at a 5.2% CAGR, helped by demand for magazines and other printed products that need higher opacity. - Packaging led end use in 2021 with more than two-fifths of global revenue and is expected to keep that lead through 2031. - Stationery is projected to post the fastest end-use growth, with a CAGR of 5.8%. - Asia-Pacific held nearly half of global revenue in 2021 and is expected to remain the largest region through 2031. - Asia-Pacific is also forecast to be the fastest-growing region, with a CAGR of 5.1%. - South Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. - Japan is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period. - Other regions covered in the report include North America, LAMEA and Europe. - The report lists BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Imerys SA, Omya AG, Penford Corporation, Michelman Inc., Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., Eastman Chemical Company and Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas among the leading players. - The report also cites demand from corrugated boxes and cover bindings in food packaging as a main growth driver. - The report says the rise in electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and e-books limits market growth. - Environmental concerns over non-biodegradable plastics create new opportunities for paper coating materials.

Between the lines: - Packaging remains the most important demand engine because paper coatings help paper compete in food packaging and other applications facing plastic reduction pressure. - The fastest-growing segments are not always the largest ones, which suggests the market is broadening beyond core packaging toward specialty coated papers and education-linked stationery demand. - Asia-Pacific’s lead reflects both manufacturing scale and consumer demand for packaged goods in the region.

What’s next: - The market’s next phase will likely depend on packaging substitution trends, education-sector demand and the pace of electronic media adoption. - Product growth should remain strongest in segments that improve print quality, opacity and packaging performance. - If paper packaging adoption keeps rising, coating suppliers may continue to benefit from policy and consumer pressure on plastic use.

The bottom line: - The paper coating materials market is set for steady growth through 2031, led by packaging, calcium carbonate and Asia-Pacific, even as digital media pressures offset some demand.