In its recently released Trends: 2015 Industry Outlook and Market Data Report, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) notes that in 2014, the folding carton industry experienced its first year of growth since the U.S. economy plunged into recession in 2008, expanding 0.1% year over year.

Although the carton industry’s performance in 2014 was not spectacular, it still represents a notable improvement, especially considering that shipments prior to 2014 had declined for six consecutive years, resulting in a cumulative decline of 13.3% from the pre-recession peak. The Great Recession had a direct impact on folding carton demand. Household spending was squeezed due to high unemployment and burdensome debt loads, which ultimately translated to poor performances for most of the manufacturing sector.

After improving over the last several years, shipments in the folding carton market are forecast to decline slightly at 1.2% year over year in 2015, largely due to a poor performance in the first quarter stemming from weather-related issues and port strikes on the West Coast, along with continued struggles by major processed food and consumer product companies.