Paperboard prices are under pressure again in Europe.
Sonoco has announced a €60 per tonne price increase for uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) sold across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The increase applies to shipments made on or after September 15, 2026.
According to the company, geopolitical constraints and continued inflation are raising costs across its operations and supply chain. Higher energy and fuel costs are also expected to add pressure to manufacturing and transportation expenses.
For packaging buyers, the wider issue is not one price increase. It is the volatility in the material, energy and logistics costs behind paper packaging.
Brands buying folding cartons, rigid boxes, corrugated packaging and other custom paper packaging can make procurement more predictable by understanding these pressures.
This is not the first paperboard price increase in 2026
The latest announcement follows another significant adjustment earlier this year.
In April 2026, Sonoco announced an increase of €80 per tonne for uncoated recycled paperboard grades in the EMEA region, along with an 8% increase for its tube and core products.
The company cited rising costs for energy, natural gas, fuel, chemicals and additives.
Only several months later, Sonoco has announced another €60 per tonne increase.
Similar developments have occurred outside Europe. In North America, Sonoco announced multiple increases in uncoated recycled paperboard prices during 2026, citing inflationary input costs, market conditions and mill utilisation.
The actual effect on market prices depends on many factors, but repeated announcements from a major paperboard producer show how closely paper packaging costs are tied to the wider economy.
Why are paperboard prices increasing?
The cost of a paper box is shaped long before the box reaches a packaging factory.
Paperboard production is energy intensive. Paper mills use significant amounts of energy to process fibres, run machinery, dry paper and maintain continuous production.
Several factors influence the final cost of paperboard.
Energy costs
Energy is an important part of paper manufacturing costs. Changes in electricity and natural gas prices affect the operating costs of paper mills.
When energy prices stay high for an extended period, manufacturers may pass some of those costs through the supply chain.
Fuel and transportation
Paper and paperboard are relatively heavy materials. Raw materials must be transported to mills, paperboard must then move to converters and packaging factories, and finished packaging must ultimately be shipped to customers.
Higher fuel and transportation costs can therefore affect several stages of the packaging supply chain.
Recovered paper and fibre costs
Recycled paperboard depends heavily on recovered fibre. The availability, collection and price of recovered paper can influence production costs for recycled paperboard manufacturers.
Virgin fibre grades have their own supply and cost dynamics. Different paper and paperboard grades can therefore move in different directions during the same market period.
Chemicals and additives
Paper manufacturing also relies on chemicals, coatings and additives. Inflation in these upstream materials can add pressure to manufacturing costs.
Geopolitical and supply chain risks
International supply chains remain exposed to geopolitical events, trade disruption, energy market volatility and transportation constraints.
Even when a packaging factory is operating normally, developments elsewhere in the supply chain can affect material availability and pricing.
Does a €60 per tonne increase mean your box price will rise significantly?
Not necessarily.
A €60 per tonne increase in paperboard does not automatically raise the finished packaging price by the same percentage. Paperboard is only one part of the final cost of a custom box.
Depending on the packaging structure, a quotation may also include:
- printing;
- lamination;
- hot foil stamping;
- embossing;
- die-cutting;
- folding and gluing;
- inserts;
- labour;
- quality control;
- packing;
- transportation; and
- tooling and setup costs.
The effect of a paperboard price change depends heavily on the type of packaging being produced.
For a simple folding carton, paperboard may represent a relatively large share of the total manufacturing cost. For a complex premium rigid box with several finishing processes, inserts and substantial manual assembly, material may represent a smaller share of the final price.
Packaging price movements should therefore be assessed against the actual structure rather than the headline paper price.
Different boxes respond differently to material price changes
Consider two packaging projects. The first is a simple printed folding carton with minimal finishing. The second is a premium rigid gift box made with greyboard, specialty paper, foil stamping, magnets and a custom insert.
Both are paper packaging, but their cost structures are very different.
The folding carton may be more sensitive to paperboard price movements because material accounts for a significant part of its manufacturing cost.
The rigid box can be affected by several other costs, including:
- specialty paper;
- greyboard;
- labour;
- finishing;
- assembly;
- magnets;
- inserts; and
- transportation.
There is no universal rule that a 5% increase in paper means a 5% increase in the box price.
Professional packaging quotations need to account for the complete bill of materials and production process.
Why packaging quotations cannot always remain valid indefinitely
Packaging buyers sometimes ask suppliers to hold quotations for several months. That may be possible when raw-material prices are stable, but it becomes harder during periods of volatility.
Imagine receiving a packaging quotation in August and placing the order three months later. During that period, paper prices, energy costs, exchange rates, freight rates and material availability may all change.
Custom packaging quotations therefore commonly have a defined validity period.
This does not necessarily mean suppliers expect prices to rise. It reflects the fact that packaging manufacturing depends on external cost variables that suppliers cannot always control.
For large packaging orders, confirming pricing closer to the actual production date can reduce misunderstandings.
How can packaging buyers reduce the impact of price volatility?
Brands cannot control global paper prices, but they can control how efficiently packaging is designed and purchased.
1. Plan packaging orders earlier
Urgent orders reduce purchasing flexibility. When packaging requirements are known several months in advance, buyers have more time to compare materials, confirm specifications and coordinate production.
Better forecasting can also help suppliers plan material purchasing.
2. Consolidate orders where appropriate
Producing very small quantities repeatedly can increase setup and production costs. For products with predictable demand, consolidating packaging requirements into more efficient production quantities may reduce unit costs.
Buyers still need to balance this against inventory and cash-flow requirements. The cheapest unit price is not always the lowest total business cost.
3. Optimise packaging dimensions
Reducing unnecessary packaging size can lower material consumption. Even a small dimensional change can become significant when multiplied across tens of thousands of boxes.
Smaller packaging may also improve:
- shipping efficiency;
- warehouse utilisation;
- outer-carton efficiency;
- container loading; and
- material consumption.
Structural optimisation can reduce both packaging and logistics costs.
4. Review paperboard specifications
Heavier paperboard does not automatically make better packaging. A box should use the specification needed to achieve its intended performance.
Increasing paperboard thickness unnecessarily can raise costs without providing meaningful benefits. Choosing material that is too light, however, may result in deformation or product damage.
The objective is to use the right material, not simply the most material.
5. Consider alternative materials
When a particular paper grade becomes expensive or difficult to source, packaging manufacturers may be able to recommend alternatives. Depending on the application, these could include different:
- paperboard grades;
- paper weights;
- surface papers;
- recycled fibre content;
- insert materials; and
- structural designs.
Alternatives should always be tested against printing performance, structural strength and appearance before mass production.
Packaging design is becoming a cost-control tool
Packaging design is often discussed in terms of branding, but good structural design can also help manage costs.
Consider a box that can be redesigned to use 8% less paperboard while maintaining the same level of protection. For 1,000 boxes, the saving may seem small. For 100,000 or one million boxes, it becomes much more significant.
The same principle applies to:
- reducing box dimensions;
- reducing unnecessary inserts;
- optimising paperboard thickness;
- improving sheet utilisation during die-cutting;
- reducing manufacturing complexity; and
- improving shipping density.
Packaging engineering should therefore be treated as part of procurement strategy.
Do not choose packaging based only on unit price
When raw-material prices rise, the natural response is to look for cheaper suppliers. Sometimes that is appropriate, but comparing packaging quotations requires more than comparing the final number.
Two suppliers may quote different prices because they use different:
- paper grades;
- paperboard thicknesses;
- printing processes;
- finishing standards;
- quality-control requirements;
- packing methods; and
- material tolerances.
A quotation that appears cheaper may not represent the same packaging specification.
The better question is not simply, “Which supplier has the lowest price?” It is, “Which supplier provides the best combination of material, quality, production reliability and total cost?”
Stable supplier relationships can become more valuable
Material volatility also makes communication between packaging buyers and manufacturers more important.
When suppliers understand a customer’s annual demand, product schedule and packaging specifications, they may be able to plan production and material purchasing more effectively.
Buyers can also receive earlier information about potential material changes or alternative specifications.
For recurring packaging requirements, a more collaborative process can improve cost predictability and supply reliability. That process may include forecasting, design, material planning, production and continuous optimisation.
Sustainability and cost efficiency can work together
Many strategies that reduce packaging costs also support sustainability goals.
Reducing unnecessary material lowers cost and waste. Smaller packaging can reduce transportation volume. Optimised structures can improve material efficiency. Replacing overly complex components can simplify both manufacturing and recycling.
This direction is consistent with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which places increasing emphasis on packaging minimisation and recyclability.
For packaging buyers, sustainability and cost control do not always have to compete. Better packaging engineering can support both.
What should packaging buyers do now?
The latest paperboard price increase is not a reason to panic. It is a reminder that packaging prices are connected to a much larger supply chain.
Brands purchasing custom paper packaging should consider:
- planning packaging requirements earlier;
- reviewing quotation validity periods;
- monitoring major material changes;
- optimising packaging dimensions;
- avoiding unnecessary material specifications;
- considering alternative materials where appropriate;
- providing suppliers with realistic volume forecasts; and
- maintaining clear specifications for quotation comparisons.
Most importantly, buyers should work with packaging manufacturers during the design stage rather than treating the box as a fixed specification.
Final thoughts
Sonoco’s latest €60 per tonne increase for uncoated recycled paperboard in the EMEA region adds to the cost pressure facing the paper and packaging industry in 2026.
Energy, fuel, transportation, materials and geopolitical uncertainty continue to influence the economics of paperboard manufacturing.
For packaging buyers, waiting for paper prices to fall is not the only option. A more resilient procurement strategy starts with better forecasting, structural design, material selection and supplier communication, as well as a clearer understanding of what drives the cost of a box.
When raw-material markets are unpredictable, the smarter packaging strategy is not simply to look for a lower price. It is to use materials more efficiently.