Segment Analysis of Global Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB) Market: Products, Applications, and End-Users

In Business Insights
September 24, 2025

The Global Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB) Market Size was estimated at USD 983.05 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1434.41 million by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.50% during the forecast period.

Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB), also known as Clay Coated Paperboard, is a sustainable packaging material entirely composed of recycled paper waste from newspapers and kraft paper sources. The raw materials are sourced from paper manufacturing plants, converting facilities, and post-consumer collections, ensuring an eco-friendly production cycle. This versatile clay-coated board excels in providing a smooth, printable surface while maintaining strength and rigidity, making it perfect for packaging dry fruits, cookies, cereals, cake mixes, facial tissues, napkins, and various other consumer products that require protective and attractive containment.

The market for CCNB is experiencing steady growth driven by increasing consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions, regulatory pressures on reducing plastic use, and the expansion of e-commerce which necessitates robust, lightweight shipping materials. As industries shift toward circular economy principles, CCNB stands out for its recyclability and cost-effectiveness, fueling adoption across food, personal care, and general consumer goods sectors. Furthermore, innovations in coating technologies are enhancing its barrier properties against moisture and grease, broadening its applicability in diverse packaging needs.

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Segmentation by Product Type

The Global Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB) market can be segmented into three primary product types based on grammage (GSM), which determines the thickness, strength, and suitability for various packaging applications. These categories allow manufacturers to tailor solutions to specific industry requirements, balancing cost, durability, and environmental impact.

1. Up to 150 GSM

CCNB products up to 150 GSM represent the lighter weight segment, offering flexibility and ease of use for applications where minimal thickness suffices. These boards are typically used for inner packaging layers or lightweight protective wraps, providing adequate coverage without adding unnecessary bulk. Their lower grammage makes them economical, appealing to cost-conscious producers in developing markets.

  • Market Insight: This segment holds a significant share due to its versatility in everyday consumer packaging, such as tissue boxes and small cereal cartons. However, as sustainability becomes paramount, buyers are increasingly opting for this lighter variant to reduce material usage and shipping weights, thereby lowering carbon footprints. In regions like North America and Europe, where recycling rates are high, up to 150 GSM CCNB is preferred for its alignment with green standards.

  • Trend: With the rise of e-commerce, there’s a growing demand for lightweight packaging that maintains print quality for branding. Manufacturers in Asia-Pacific are scaling production of this segment to meet export needs, focusing on enhanced clay coatings for better ink adhesion and visual appeal.

In practice, the up to 150 GSM category benefits from advancements in recycling processes that ensure consistent quality from post-consumer waste. This not only keeps costs down but also supports the circular economy by diverting newspaper waste from landfills. As consumer awareness of environmental issues rises, this segment is poised for incremental growth, particularly in applications requiring foldable and easy-to-store packaging solutions.

2. 151 to 250 GSM

The 151 to 250 GSM range positions CCNB as a mid-weight option, striking a balance between strength and flexibility. These boards are ideal for medium-duty packaging, such as cookie trays and dry fruit boxes, where some rigidity is needed to protect contents during transit. The clay coating in this segment enhances printability, allowing for vibrant designs that attract consumers on retail shelves.

  • Market Insight: This category is the fastest-growing product segment, driven by the food industry’s shift toward sustainable alternatives to plastic. It commands a substantial market portion because it meets the durability needs of perishable goods packaging while remaining recyclable. Key players are investing in this range to cater to global brands seeking certified eco-friendly materials.

  • Trend: Regulatory mandates in Europe and North America for reduced plastic packaging are accelerating adoption. Trends show increased use in premium consumer goods, where the board’s smooth surface supports high-resolution printing for marketing purposes. Additionally, supply chain optimizations are making this segment more accessible in emerging markets like India and Brazil.

Furthermore, the 151 to 250 GSM boards are seeing innovations like bio-based coatings to improve grease resistance, crucial for food applications. This development addresses previous limitations, making the material more competitive against virgin paperboards. Market dynamics indicate that as e-commerce volumes surge, this mid-range grammage will play a pivotal role in efficient, sustainable logistics.

3. More than 250 GSM

CCNB exceeding 250 GSM falls into the heavy-duty category, providing superior strength and stiffness for demanding packaging needs. These thicker boards are used in structural components like box bases or heavy-load containers, ensuring product integrity in rigorous handling scenarios. Despite higher costs, their robustness justifies investment in industries handling bulkier items.

  • Market Insight: While this segment is smaller in volume, it generates higher value due to premium applications in industrial and consumer goods packaging. Demand is steady from sectors requiring impact resistance, such as electronics outer packaging or large cereal boxes. The segment’s growth is tied to the overall push for recycled materials in high-strength uses.

  • Trend: There’s a notable trend toward customizing these boards with reinforced fibers for enhanced tear resistance, appealing to manufacturers in the food and personal care sectors. In Asia-Pacific, where urbanization drives packaged goods consumption, production capacities for over 250 GSM are expanding to support local and export markets.

Because of their thickness, more than 250 GSM CCNB requires advanced manufacturing techniques to maintain uniformity in the clay coating, preventing defects that could affect print quality or barrier performance. As industries prioritize durability alongside sustainability, this segment is evolving with R&D focused on lightweighting without compromising strength, aligning with global efficiency goals.

Read Full Report Here: Global Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

Segmentation by Application

Applications highlight the practical utility of CCNB across various industries, leveraging its eco-friendly attributes, printability, and protective qualities to address specific packaging challenges. From food preservation to personal care branding, these segments underscore the material’s role in modern supply chains.

1. Food Industry

The food industry represents the largest application segment for CCNB, where it’s extensively used for packaging cereals, cookies, dry fruits, and cake mixes. The clay coating provides a barrier against moisture and light, preserving freshness while allowing eye-catching designs that enhance shelf appeal. This sector benefits immensely from CCNB’s recyclability, aligning with clean-label and sustainable trends.

  • Insight: CCNB’s ability to handle dry and semi-dry foods without leaching makes it indispensable for brands focusing on health and environment. In this application, the material supports high-speed converting processes, ensuring efficiency in large-scale production lines.

  • Trend: With rising demand for organic and packaged snacks globally, especially in Asia-Pacific and North America, food applications are expanding. Trends include integration with digital printing for personalized packaging, boosting consumer engagement and loyalty.

Moreover, as food safety regulations tighten, CCNB’s inert nature prevents contamination, giving it an edge over traditional plastics. The segment’s growth is further propelled by e-commerce food deliveries, where sturdy, lightweight packaging is essential to minimize damage during shipping.

2. Beauty and Personal Care

In beauty and personal care, CCNB is employed for secondary packaging like boxes for facial tissues, napkins, and cosmetic sets. Its smooth surface enables premium printing, conveying luxury and brand identity, while the board’s strength protects delicate items during retail handling.

  • Insight: This application values CCNB for its aesthetic versatility and sustainability, appealing to eco-conscious consumers in the personal care market. Lighter GSM variants are popular here to keep overall package weight low.

  • Trend: The surge in clean beauty products is driving demand, with brands adopting CCNB to meet plastic reduction pledges. In Europe, where green packaging laws are stringent, this segment is witnessing innovations like scented or textured coatings for enhanced user experience.

Because the beauty sector emphasizes visual appeal, CCNB’s compatibility with foil stamping and embossing techniques adds value, allowing for sophisticated designs. However, challenges like humidity resistance are being addressed through advanced clay formulations, ensuring reliability in diverse climates.

3. Consumer Goods

Consumer goods applications encompass a broad range, including packaging for household items, toys, and non-food dry products. CCNB provides reliable containment and branding opportunities, supporting the sector’s need for cost-effective, recyclable solutions amid shifting consumer preferences.

  • Insight: Mid-range GSM boards dominate here, offering the right mix of protection and affordability for everyday goods. The material’s post-consumer recycled content resonates with sustainability initiatives in this diverse market.

  • Trend: E-commerce growth is a key driver, with CCNB used in custom boxes for direct-to-consumer shipments. Trends point to increased adoption in emerging markets like South America, where affordable packaging is crucial for market penetration.

Furthermore, the versatility of CCNB allows for easy customization, such as die-cutting for unique shapes, which enhances product differentiation. As consumer goods companies face pressure to reduce environmental impact, this application segment is evolving toward fully recyclable supply chains.

4. Others

The “others” category includes niche applications like pharmaceutical inserts, stationery packaging, and light industrial uses. CCNB’s adaptability makes it suitable for specialized needs where sustainability and print quality are priorities, even if volumes are lower.

  • Insight: Though smaller, this segment offers growth potential in areas like educational supplies and promotional packaging, where recycled materials align with corporate social responsibility goals.

  • Trend: Emerging uses in medical non-sterile packaging are gaining traction, driven by healthcare’s sustainability push. In the Middle East and Africa, this category is expanding with localization efforts in manufacturing.

In these varied applications, CCNB’s inherent properties ensure it remains a viable option, with ongoing R&D exploring antimicrobial coatings for broader utility. The segment’s diversity helps buffer market fluctuations in core areas.

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Segmentation by End-User

1. Food Packaging Companies

Food packaging companies form the largest end-user group for CCNB, utilizing it extensively for cereal boxes, snack trays, and bakery product containment. These firms prioritize materials that offer food-safe properties, excellent printability, and environmental compliance to meet consumer and regulatory demands.

  • Insight: The shift from plastic to paper-based solutions has made CCNB a staple, with its barrier enhancements ensuring product longevity. Large-scale operations benefit from the material’s compatibility with automated lines.

  • Trend: Asia-Pacific end-users, particularly in China and India, are ramping up procurement as packaged food consumption rises. Trends include collaboration with suppliers for certified sustainable sourcing.

This end-user base is instrumental in driving volume growth, as food companies invest in eco-innovations to appeal to health-focused demographics. Challenges like supply chain disruptions are mitigated through diversified recycled inputs.

2. Beauty and Personal Care Manufacturers

Beauty and personal care manufacturers employ CCNB for elegant secondary packaging, such as tissue dispensers and cosmetic outer boxes, emphasizing design and sustainability to build brand loyalty.

  • Insight: Premium brands favor CCNB for its ability to support high-end finishes, aligning with the sector’s greenwashing avoidance by using genuinely recycled content.

  • Trend: In North America and Europe, this group is leading adoption of lighter GSM variants for portable packaging. Digital trends like QR-coded boxes are boosting interactive marketing uses.

Because aesthetics drive sales in this sector, CCNB’s print quality is a key differentiator. As global beauty markets expand, end-users are exploring biodegradable additives to further enhance appeal.

3. Consumer Goods Producers

Consumer goods producers, spanning household and lifestyle products, rely on CCNB for versatile packaging that balances protection and cost, supporting retail and online distribution channels.

  • Insight: This diverse group values CCNB’s scalability, from small runs to mass production, aiding in quick market adaptations.

  • Trend: E-commerce dominance is spurring demand for robust yet lightweight options, with South American producers increasing local sourcing to cut costs.

The broad application scope here fosters innovation, such as integrated handles for user convenience. Sustainability reporting requirements are encouraging deeper integration of recycled boards.

4. Other Industrial End-Users

Other industrial end-users, including pharmaceutical and promotional firms, use CCNB for specialized packaging needs where recyclability and customization are critical.

  • Insight: Niche players appreciate CCNB’s adaptability, though volumes are modest compared to core segments.

  • Trend: In the Middle East, emerging industrial uses are growing with infrastructure development, focusing on cost-effective solutions.

This segment provides opportunities for tailored products, with trends toward multifunctional boards that incorporate smart features like NFC tags.

The Global Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB) market is comprehensively analyzed through its segmentation framework. By product type, the 151 to 250 GSM segment is leading the charge toward balanced sustainability and performance, propelled by food and consumer demands. By application, the food industry maintains dominance, yet beauty and personal care are surging with branding innovations. By end-user, food packaging firms spearhead adoption, complemented by consumer goods producers and emerging industrial players fostering long-term expansion.

Read Full Report Here: Global Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB) Market – View in Detailed Research Report