Switzerland was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Machines that print, slot, fold and glue corrugated board into boxes. Box plants buy them as standalone units or full lines.
Typical segments
- Flexo folder gluers
- Die cutters
- Corrugators
- Stitching and gluing machines
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 31% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €249.7 million of products under CN code 844130 (Machines for making cartons, boxes, cases, tubes, drums or similar containers (other than) from outside the EU in 2025. | 249.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 844130 were up 31% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€190.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +31 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 844130 to countries outside the EU were worth €322.7 million in 2025. | 322.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 844130 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €258.1 million in 2025. | 258.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 844130 to the EU in 2025, with €120.5 million, or 48% of extra-EU imports. | 120.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 844130 to the United States were €134.3 million in 2025. | 134.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 844130 was €22.48 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 22.48 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| France was the largest EU exporter of CN 844130 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €89.8 million. | 89.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 700 enterprises in NACE class C2895 (Manufacture of machinery for paper and paperboard production) in 2023. | 700 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2895 had net turnover of €12.00 billion in 2023. | 12.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2895 employed 36,489 people across the EU in 2023. | 36,489 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 550 private establishments in NAICS 333243 (Sawmill, woodworking, and paper machinery manufacturing) in 2025. | 550 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 333243 employed an average of 11,801 people in US private industry in 2025. | 11,801 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 333243 changed by -4% between 2020 (12,265 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -4 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 333243 was $85,003 in 2025. | 85,003 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 844130, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 249650224
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 844130, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 190604162; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 249650224
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 844130, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 322710562
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 844130, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 258140057
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 844130, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 120450804
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 844130, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 134317644
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 844130, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 249650224, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 111030
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter FR, product 844130, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 89842493
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2895, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 700
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2895, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 12000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2895, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 36489
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 333243, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333243, annual_avg_estabs 550
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333243, annual_avg_emplvl 11801
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 12265; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 11801
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333243, avg_annual_pay 85003
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Box plants
- Packaging converters
- Contract packers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU corrugated box making machine market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €249.7 million of goods under CN 844130 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €322.7 million.
Where does the EU import corrugated box making machine from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Japan, Korea, Republic of.
What is the average import price of corrugated box making machine in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €22.48 per kilogram for CN 844130 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most corrugated box making machine?
France led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Italy.
How many US companies are in the corrugated box making machine industry?
BLS counts 550 private establishments in NAICS 333243 (Sawmill, woodworking, and paper machinery manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the corrugated box making machine industry?
Eurostat counts 700 enterprises in NACE class C2895 (Manufacture of machinery for paper and paperboard production).
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