Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Coated Paper
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Coated Paper Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Coated paper is used for packaging, such as beverage and food containers, and is also used for labeling, printing and publishing services. Coated paper is also used for printed materials requiring high-gloss sheets, including annual company reports, high-end brochures, catalogs, magazines, direct-mail advertisements and labels. Major buyers include print service providers, label manufacturers, contract packaging companies and producers of consumer packaged goods. Suppliers of coated paper include manufacturers and distributors.
This Report Includes:
- Freesheet Paper
- Mechanical Paper
Not in this Report:
- Uncoated Paper
- Paper Boxes
Global Coated Paper Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Coated Paper market.
Warning Trends
Tariffs are driving up paper and paperboard product prices
- On April 9, the Trump Administration applied a 10.0% blanket rate to all imports after pausing country-specific tariffs announced earlier in April for 90 days. On May 12th, the administration announced a reduction in levies on most imported Chinese goods from 145.0% to 30.0% for the next 90 days. On May 28th, the U.S. Court of International Trade issued a ruling halting many of the tariffs levied by the Trump administration. This ruling has been appealed, and the tariffs will remain in effect pending further judicial decisions. This ruling does not apply to steel, aluminum, and automobile tariffs issued under Section 232. Additionally, tariffs could be reissued under a variety of other sections of U.S. trade law. As such, ProcurementIQ will continue to monitor and update analysis as new information becomes available.
- As a result, the leading paper and paperboard product import sources, Canada, the European Union, China, and Mexico, all face significantly increased tariff rates of 25.0%, 10.0%, 30.0%, and 25.0%, respectively. Together, these countries account for 77.3% of paper and paperboard imports.
- However, USMCA-originating products, meaning those produced entirely in Canada or Mexico, are exempt from 25.0% tariffs.
- The United States is highly reliant on paper and paperboard imports to meet domestic demand, with imports accounting for approximately 30.5% of total US consumption in this market.
- Due to these factors, the Yale Budget Lab predicts tariffs will increase prices in the paper and paperboard market by between 2.8% and 3.3% in the short term.
Global Coated Paper Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1China | 445 |
| #2Europe | 410 |
| #3Oceania & Southeast Asia | 370 |
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Geography Drilldown - US
Average Cost of Coated Paper
United States
2025 Market Pricing$25.54 to $XX.XX
per 400 sheetsAverage Price
Prices in the Coated Paper market range from $25.54 to $XX.XX, depending on Type of Paper Used, Type of Coating, Level of Coating and Paper Size. For example, lower prices are associated with Mechanical Paper, whereas higher prices are associated with Freesheet Paper.
Need the scoop on international price trends?
Between our Europe and Canada collections, we provide price data for 350 markets so you can instantly compare prices across borders. Or, use our custom research services for intel on prices in any region across the globe.
Coated Paper Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Coated Paper market, prices in the US have grown 2.7% from 2022 to 2025. Subscribers can access price trend forecasts, price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data. Learn more
United States (2022-2025)
2.7%
Compound Annual Growth RateUnited States (2025-2028)
Wondering where prices are heading?
Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.
Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Coated Paper
Total cost of ownership is Low in the Coated Paper market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs.
Negotiated Before
Transportation
Billed During
Storage
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2025, buyer power amounts to -1.7 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Recent Price Volatility. It is most negatively impacted by Product Specialization. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as Medium, which has a negative impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Wood Pulp Mills
- Adhesive Manufacturers
- Plastic & Resin Manufacturers
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Logging Companies
- Petroleum Refiners
- Petrochemical Manufacturers
Biggest Coated Paper Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Coated Paper vendors by revenue in the US are Kruger Inc., Catalyst Paper Corporation and UPM-Kymmene Oyj. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sappi Limited | Global | Johannesburg, ZA | >10,001 | 15-20 | ||||
| Billerud AB | Global | Stockholm, SE | 25+ | |||||
| Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited | Global | Hong Kong, CN | >10,001 | 5-10 | ||||
| Catalyst Paper Corporation | International | Richmond, CA | 1,001-10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| UPM-Kymmene Oyj | Global | Helsinki, FI | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Stora Enso Oyj | Global | Helsinki, FI | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| The Odp Corporation | International | BOCA RATON, FL | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Domtar Corp | FORT MILL, SC | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | |||||
| Pactiv Evergreen Inc. | Global | LAKE FOREST | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
Looking for a list of suppliers by country?
Subscribers can access vendor information on Canadian and European suppliers, too. We also offer custom research services to help with vendor sourcing anywhere in the world.
Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Coated Paper market is 4.7% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Wages. The cost trend for this component is falling, when considering movement between 2024 and 2025. To understand cost forecasts for 2026 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
Medium vendor risk does not have a significant impact on buyer power. Nevertheless, buyers are advised to vet supplier financials before entering into long-term contracts.
The moderate level of supply chain risk has a neutral impact on buyer power.
Market concentration is high due to the high fixed costs involved in paper production, which serves as a barrier to entry. High market share concentration detracts from buyer power by suppressing price competition.
The United States is a net importer of coated paper, which means it imports more coated paper than it exports. While this offers buyers opportunities for cost savings, buyers should consider issues such as trade policy, fluctuations in exchange rates, quality control and shipping times.
Supplier Information
Sappi Limited
Sappi Limited is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include wood pulp, paperboard & packaging papers, laminated papers, coated paper and envelopes. Founded in 1936, the company is currently headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa with an estimated Subscribe to learn more
Billerud AB
Billerud AB is a Global operator providing Coated Paper from their headquarters in Stockholm, SE. This operator has a staff size of about employees. According to ProcurementIQ estimates, Billerud AB holds 25+% of market share... Subscribe to learn more
Catalyst Paper Corporation
Catalyst Paper Corporation is a private company operating internationally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include coated paper and newsprint & offset papers. Founded in 1946, the company is currently headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada with an estimated 1600 employees.... Subscribe to learn more
Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited
Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include wood pulp and coated paper. Founded in 2019, the company is currently headquartered in Hong Kong, China with an estimated employee count of over 10,000. Subscribe to learn more
Kruger Inc.
Kruger Inc. is a private company operating internationally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include coated paper and newsprint & offset papers. Founded in 1904, the company is currently headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with an estimated 5500 employees. Subscribe to learn more
Staples Inc.
Staples Inc. is a private company operating globally in the manufacturing, manufacturing, manufacturing, information, professional, scientific and technical services and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include printing & writing paper, business... Subscribe to learn more
Resolute Forest Products Inc.
Resolute Forest Products Inc. is a holding company engaged in the production and marketing of a diverse range of forest products geared for commercial and industrial use. Its products include newsprint, specialty papers, market pulp, green fuel and other wood-based products. The firm's customer base includes... Subscribe to learn more
Pactiv Evergreen Inc.
Pactiv Evergreen Inc. is a packaging company serving fresh food service, food merchandising, and beverage markets. It manufactures and distributes food containers, drinkware, tableware, service ware, products for on-the-go and ready-to-eat food, clear rigid-display containers, trays for meat and poultry, Subscribe to learn more
Domtar Corp
Domtar Corp is a public company operating in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include wood pulp, printing & writing paper, coated paper and newsprint & offset papers. The company is currently headquartered in FORT MILL, South Carolina, United States of America with an estimated 6300 employees.... Subscribe to learn more
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Procurement Management KPIs for the Coated Paper Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Average Response Time and Defect Density. Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Delivery and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Response Time | Average response time Average resolution time | The average response time tracks how quickly customer support staff respond to queries. A low average response time indicates prompt and responsive customer service. The supplier’s customer support staff should respond to all queries within 24 hours. | |
| Defect Density | Defect density Percentage of goods with major defects Percentage of goods with minor defects | The defect density represents the percentage of goods that are delivered with major or minor defects. A high defect density will limit supply because defective coated paper cannot be used for printing or packaging. Suppliers that consistently exceed the maximum allowable defect density should not be considered for renewal. | |
Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Supply Chain Risk
From where do you source primary raw materials such as wood pulp, chemicals, additives and resins?
Have you ever experienced supply chain disruptions resulting in a diminished supply of coated paper?
Competition
How do you maintain a competitive advantage in this market?
As a large supplier, do you have minimum purchase requirements when working with small and midsize clients? If so, can you describe the requirements?
Customer Support
What quality control procedures do you have in place?
Have you had any major complaints from past customers associated with product quality or delivery, and how have you dealt with these issues?
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Coated Paper RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should provide an overview of their operations, including the regions in which they operate.
Buyers should provide a description of their general coated paper requirements, including the necessary paper types, finishes, level of coating and paper size.
Statement Of Need
Buyers should provide a list of the different end uses of coated paper they plan to purchase.
For each end-use, buyers should provide specifications for coated paper, including thickness, durability and design.
Project Budget
Buyers should include a total budget for their order of coated paper.
The budget should be broken down by the end-use of the coated paper and contain a per-unit budget for each individual type.
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