El Spanish cardboard packaging sector It maintains a solid and stable evolution, consolidating its position as a strategic industry for the value chain of consumer goods, food, and other industrial sectors. According to the latest sector data, production reached 525.918 tons in 2025, representing a growth of 1,84% compared to 2024, while revenue stood at €1.281 billion, practically stable compared to the previous year (+0,58%).
The sector comprises 90 companies employing approximately 7.000 workers, confirming its importance within the Spanish industrial fabric and its capacity to generate stable employment.
“The cardboard packaging sector has demonstrated a great capacity for adaptation in a complex economic environment, maintaining growth and strengthening its industrial competitiveness,” J points out.Josep Maria Berga, president of ASPACK.
Sustained growth
The data from the 2021-2024 Benchmarking Study of the cardboard packaging sector also reflect a significant improvement in business profitability in recent years.
In 2024, the sector's total revenue reached 1.274 million euros, after several years of accumulated growth from the 979 million recorded in 2021, while EBITDA on sales stood at around 11,2% in 2024, thanks to the intense commitment to technological modernization, consolidating the sector's ability to generate value even in a context marked by the increase in industrial costs in recent years.
Consumer goods and food products, drivers of the sector
Cardboard packaging maintains a strong link with mass consumption, especially with the food industry, which represents 51% of sector turnover, compared to 49% corresponding to non-food sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, drugstore or textiles.
Among the food segments, fresh and frozen products stand out (29%), followed by beverages (21%), cereals (16%) and confectionery (16%), which highlights the key role of cardboard in the food supply chain.
“Cardboard is establishing itself as one of the key materials in the transition to more sustainable packaging. More and more brands are opting for recyclable and low-environmental-impact solutions,” highlights Josep María Berga.
Specialized business structure
Although 56% of the companies in the sector have a turnover of less than 10 million euros, there is a certain concentration in the activity: 70% of the total turnover is generated by 29 companies, while 16 companies concentrate 50% of the business.
Furthermore, larger companies are playing an increasingly important role in the sector. Specifically, 83% of total revenue comes from companies with more than 50 employees, confirming the trend towards more efficient industrial structures with greater investment capacity.
Industry forecasts point to moderate growth in the coming years, driven by several structural factors such as the growth of e-commerce, the demand for more sustainable packaging and the replacement of less recyclable materials.
“The industry outlook is positive. The combination of innovation, sustainability, and consumer demand will allow for moderate growth in the coming years,” concludes the president of ASPACK.
