Engineering packaging solutions that keep Canada’s economy moving
From Humble Roots
The first recorded use of corrugated materials was in 1856 when it was patented for sweatband lining in men’s tall hats to keep their form. Twenty years later, in 1874, it was discovered that placing a linerboard on either side of the corrugated material would prevent the flute from stretching or flattening, forming a stronger product that could withstand more pressure. In the 1890s, corrugated boxes began replacing wooden crates for shipping because of their lightweight yet strong qualities. During the 1920s, corrugated boxes took over the packaging industry as products were transported across countries and around the world by ships, railroads and eventually trucks. With advancements in strength, industry standardization and multi-colour printing innovation, corrugated boxes were the dominant packaging choice by the 1970s, and they still are today.
Canada’s Corrugated Market
The corrugated and containerboard industry is a vital part of Canada’s manufacturing base, supplying essential fibre-based packaging materials for domestic and international markets. CCCA member companies create more than 10,000 direct jobs, with more than 27,000 Canadians employed in the wider paper packaging sector. The industry supports manufacturing, retail, grocery and e-commerce by providing strong, lightweight, and recyclable packaging solutions made from sustainably sourced materials.
The sector also plays a key role in the circular economy through high paper packaging recovery rates – the highest of any packaging material – and ongoing investments in operational efficiency and emissions reduction.
Containerboard Mills, Sheet Feeder Operations, and Full-service Corrugator Box Plants work together in a coordinated supply chain to produce corrugated boxes. Containerboard Mills manufacture linerboard and medium, predominately from OCC (old corrugated containers), into rolls of paper that form the basic components of corrugated packaging. These paper rolls are then sent either directly to Full-service Box Plants or to Sheet Feeder Operations, which run corrugators to combine the papers into corrugated sheets of various flute sizes. Sheet Feeders supply these finished sheets to Box Plants that do not have their own corrugators. Together, these operations ensure a reliable flow of materials and flexibility to meet diverse customer design, volume, and delivery requirements.
The sector is poised for continued growth, driven by rising demand in e-commerce, retail distribution, industrial shipping and sustainable packaging solutions. The industry is focused on enhancing efficiency and customization through advances in automation, digital printing and smart packaging features, positioning Canada’s corrugated sector for a strong and sustainable future.
Industry Connections
The CCCA proudly partners with other organizations to share information and keep our industry strong, including