The Global Environmentally Friendly Paper and Plastic Market was valued at USD 280.4 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 465.7 Billion by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during the forecast period (2022–2029). This growth is being driven by rising consumer awareness of environmental issues, stringent government regulations on plastic waste, and the expanding demand for biodegradable and recyclable materials in sectors like food and beverage, e-commerce, and healthcare. As businesses prioritize circular economy principles, the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics and papers is accelerating, supported by innovations in bio-based polymers and sustainable sourcing.

As the packaging industry shifts toward sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact and meet consumer expectations for greener products, the spotlight is on the innovators and leaders who are pioneering biodegradable papers, recyclable plastics, and compostable materials. These companies are not only responding to global challenges like plastic pollution but also capitalizing on opportunities in a market increasingly shaped by ESG standards. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Environmentally Friendly Paper and Plastic Industry—a blend of established packaging giants, specialized eco-material producers, and innovative players transforming how goods are packaged worldwide for a more sustainable future.

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🔟 1. Smurfit Kappa

Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Key Offering: Recyclable corrugated paper packaging, sustainable paper-based alternatives to plastic

Smurfit Kappa is one of the world’s largest paper-based packaging companies, emphasizing environmentally friendly solutions that replace single-use plastics. The company produces a wide range of corrugated boxes, bags, and displays from renewable fibers sourced from certified forests, serving industries from e-commerce to food delivery with fully recyclable and biodegradable products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 100% wood from certified sustainable sources, targeting carbon-neutral operations by 2040
• Plastic-free paper packaging for fresh produce, reducing plastic use by millions of tons annually
• Partnerships with NGOs for forest conservation and biodiversity in supply chains

Download FREE Sample Report: Environmentally Friendly Paper and Plastic Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Sonoco

Headquarters: Hartsville, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Composite cans, paper tubes, and biodegradable plastic films

Sonoco offers versatile packaging solutions prioritizing environmental responsibility, including paper-based cans for consumer goods and protective wraps from recycled content. Certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, their products cater to personal care and food sectors across over 80 countries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 50% recycled content in packaging achieved by 2023, aiming for 70% by 2030
• Renewable energy investments in manufacturing to lower carbon footprint
• Brand collaborations for take-back programs on end-of-life packaging

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8️⃣ 3. Conitex Sonoco

Headquarters: Vícar, Spain
Key Offering: Industrial paper packaging, eco-friendly pallet alternatives to plastic

Conitex Sonoco specializes in heavy-duty paper packaging for logistics, offering 100% recyclable alternatives to plastic pallets and wraps like honeycomb boards and corrugated solutions that reduce transportation emissions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Zero-waste manufacturing processes across facilities
• Paper pallets replacing 1 million plastic units annually
• ISO 14001 certification for environmental management

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7️⃣ 4. International Paper

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Recycled paperboard, sustainable pulp-based plastic substitutes

International Paper leads in fiber-based packaging with recycled fiber products for retail and shipping, featuring closed-loop recycling systems that minimize landfill use and appeal to brands with verifiable green credentials.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 100% certified forest wood sourcing by 2025
• 20% reduced water usage via innovative recycling tech
• Retailer partnerships to phase out plastic bags for paper alternatives

Download FREE Sample Report: Environmentally Friendly Paper and Plastic Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. WestRock

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Corrugated packaging, paper-based protective solutions

WestRock delivers innovative recyclable products like custom corrugated boxes for consumer goods and electronics, focusing on design efficiency to reduce material use and shipping emissions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 80% renewable energy in operations, net-zero by 2050
• Fully recyclable paper composites for food-safe applications
• Community education on sustainable packaging practices

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5️⃣ 6. Amcor

Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
Key Offering: Recyclable flexible plastics, bio-based paper laminates

Amcor innovates in flexible packaging with paper-plastic hybrids reducing plastic by up to 90%, tailored to regional regulations like EU packaging waste directives for food and pharmaceuticals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025
• 30% virgin plastic reduction via bio-resins and papers
• Global recycling advocacy and infrastructure support

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4️⃣ 7. Berry Global

Headquarters: Evansville, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Sustainable plastic containers, paper-plastic composites

Berry Global provides circular design packaging like recycled plastic bottles and paper-reinforced structures for healthcare and household, enabling collection and remanufacturing to close waste loops.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 50% recycled content across products by 2030
• R&D in plant-based plastics with paper for degradability
• Partnerships for advanced recycling of mixed materials

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3️⃣ 8. Huhtamaki

Headquarters: Espoo, Finland
Key Offering: Bio-based paper cups, compostable plastic wraps

Huhtamaki excels in foodservice with compostable cups and trays from renewable resources, supporting global chains in zero-waste goals across 30+ countries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 100% renewable or recycled materials by 2030
• Elimination of fossil-based plastics for paper alternatives
• Biodegradable tech investments for pharmaceutical packs

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2️⃣ 9. Mondi Group

Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: Functional paper packaging, recyclable plastic films

Mondi Group tailors sustainable solutions like paper sacks and high-recycled content films for industrial and consumer uses, complying with strict European standards.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Climate-positive by 2030, sequestering more CO2 than emitted
• 95% products recyclable or reusable
• Forest protection and biodiversity programs

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1️⃣ 10. DS Smith

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Corrugated paper solutions, sustainable transit packaging

DS Smith leads in recyclable e-commerce and retail packaging, replacing plastic fillers with circular designs that support clients like IKEA in sustainable shifts.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• All: Nature Now strategy for biodiversity and zero waste
• 50% emissions reduction by 2030 from 2019 levels
• Paper recovery and recycling ecosystem collaborations

Read Full Report: Environmentally Friendly Paper and Plastic Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Environmentally Friendly Paper and Plastic Is Innovative and Circular

The environmentally friendly paper and plastic market is experiencing transformative growth, with traditional materials giving way to bio-based and recyclable innovations. Industries are pouring investments into R&D for compostable composites and advanced recycling, creating a more resilient supply chain.

Regulations worldwide are tightening on single-use items, so companies are adapting swiftly to foster a greener economy. However, overcoming infrastructure gaps is key, though opportunities for cost savings and brand loyalty remain immense. Consumer preferences for ethical products will continue propelling this sector forward.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rapid expansion of bio-plastics and paper hybrids in Asia-Pacific and Europe
• Mandatory recycling targets and bans on non-degradable plastics by 2030
• Digital tools for tracking packaging lifecycle and carbon impact
• Strategic alliances between packaging firms and brands for co-developed solutions

Read Full Report: Environmentally Friendly Paper and Plastic Market – View in Detailed Research Report

Download FREE Sample Report: Environmentally Friendly Paper and Plastic Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies highlighted here are not only packaging the world—they’re leading the charge toward a plastic-free, sustainable future through thoughtful innovation and unwavering commitment to the planet.