Paper Cone Market By Type (Printed Paper Cones, Plain Paper Cones); By Application (Textile Yarn Winding, Food Packaging, Industrial Packaging, Crafts & Events, Horticulture); By Material (Recycled Kraft Paper, Virgin Kraft Paper, Agro-Waste & Composite Pulp); By End User (Textile Mills, Food & Beverage Operators, Events & Hospitality, Educational & Craft Institutions, Horticulture Enterprises); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Paper Cone Market will witness a steady CAGR of 5.1%, valued at USD 6.4 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 8.6 billion by 2030 , according to Strategic Market Research.

 

Paper cones are essential packaging and industrial tools, primarily used in the textile sector for yarn winding, but their application base is broader than most realize. In recent years, they've quietly become part of supply chains in food packaging, crafts, horticulture, fireworks, and even the construction sector. The global movement toward biodegradable and sustainable materials is bringing fresh relevance to paper-based products — and paper cones are riding that wave.

 

The big shift happening here? Sustainability is no longer a branding exercise. It’s a procurement requirement. Manufacturers and retailers across regions are actively replacing plastic spools, synthetic cones, and disposable non-paper formats with eco-friendly alternatives. In that environment, paper cones — recyclable, cost-effective, and customizable — are finding new market favor .

 

Most of the demand still comes from the textile industry, particularly in yarn packaging, weaving, and spinning operations. Countries like India, China, Bangladesh, and Turkey, where textile exports are massive, dominate consumption. But there's a diversification story here too. Specialty cones are now being used for incense, ice cream, confectionery packaging, seed starters in nurseries, and even event decor.

 

The value chain involves multiple players — pulp processors, cone converters, textile mills, FMCG packaging suppliers, and increasingly, regional governments pushing for green compliance. OEMs are investing in high-speed cone-making machinery. At the same time, some startups are experimenting with hybrid cones made from agro -waste pulp and recycled kraft paper, reducing both cost and environmental load.

 

Public regulations are stepping in as well. Plastic bans in multiple countries have made disposable paper formats more than a “nice to have.” In 2024 alone, new bans across Southeast Asia and parts of Africa expanded the addressable market for non-plastic disposable formats. Retail brands are watching — and so are procurement heads in the hospitality, event, and QSR sectors.

 

To be honest, paper cones don’t get the same spotlight as packaging films or paper bags. But as the circular economy matures, niche paper formats like cones are gaining strategic importance. It’s no longer about basic textile spools. It’s about flexible, recyclable formats that fit multiple end-use narratives — from factory floor to food counter.

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The paper cone market segments naturally around how cones are designed, used, and sourced — with clear distinctions by type , application , material , end user , and region . Each of these plays a role in how demand is shifting, especially as sustainability and localization start driving procurement decisions.

By Type

The most common segmentation starts with the structural design of the cone itself:

• Printed Paper Cones
  These cones serve both functional and branding purposes. They’re widely used in ice cream packaging, food stalls, event merchandising, and crafts. Branding, surface finishing, and graphics quality are critical here.

• Plain (Unprinted) Paper Cones
  Primarily used in textile mills for yarn winding and industrial transport. These cones prioritize structural integrity over aesthetics.

Printed cones are gaining traction in the foodservice and event sectors, especially as brands lean into sustainable packaging that still pops on the shelf or counter. But volume-wise, plain cones — particularly in textiles — still dominate.

 

By Application

Textile remains the anchor segment, but new verticals are steadily expanding:

• Textile Yarn Winding and Spinning

• Food Packaging (e.g., ice cream, snacks)

• Industrial Packaging (e.g., wire spools, adhesives)

• Crafts and Events (decorative and promotional uses)

• Horticulture (seedling cones, biodegradable planters)

In 2024, textile applications account for nearly 60% of the market by volume. However, the fastest-growing application is food packaging — especially in Europe and North America where single-use plastics are under regulatory attack.

 

By Material

Here the difference lies in performance, sustainability, and end-user preference:

• Recycled Kraft Paper

• Virgin Kraft Paper

• Agro -Waste and Composite Pulp

Recycled kraft is the standard in cost-sensitive markets, especially in Asia. Meanwhile, virgin kraft cones remain preferred in premium textile and food segments due to strength and hygiene requirements. There's rising interest in agro -waste composites — banana fiber , sugarcane bagasse — mostly from sustainable product startups .

 

By End User

End-user dynamics cut across B2B industrial buyers and consumer-facing sectors:

• Textile Mills and Yarn Manufacturers

• Food and Beverage Companies

• Event Management and Hospitality

• Gardening and Horticulture Enterprises

• Retail Packaging Providers

Textile mills remain the biggest buyers, but food and QSR chains are emerging fast, especially as paper cones replace plastic trays and containers for snacks, fries, and ice cream.

 

By Region

Demand trends vary across regions based on industrial mix, packaging regulations, and raw material access:

• Asia Pacific — largest consumer, led by textile production hubs

• Europe — regulatory-driven growth in food and retail packaging

• North America — innovation-led demand, especially in eco-friendly food service

• Latin America & Middle East/Africa — slower adoption but catching up via small packaging businesses and public health regulations

Scope Note: This report covers the market outlook from 2024 to 2030. Forecasts are built on regional demand trends, production capacity expansion, regulatory influence, and downstream user sentiment across both industrial and retail ecosystems.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

This market isn’t typically seen as tech-forward — but that’s starting to change. As both demand and sustainability expectations rise, the paper cone industry is undergoing a quiet but important transformation. From material experiments to process automation, innovation is no longer optional — especially for suppliers serving multinational FMCG or textile brands.

One of the most notable shifts? Design-led customization . Foodservice players now want cones that are not just biodegradable, but grease-resistant, freezer-stable, and brand-friendly. That means printable surfaces, moisture barriers, and sometimes multi-layer pulp blends — all without compromising recyclability. This trend is pushing paper converters to invest in new coating and lamination lines.

 

Another trend gaining ground is machine-side integration . Traditionally, paper cones for textiles were handled manually at spinning mills. Today, automated winding machines demand cones with tighter tolerances and consistent dimensions. This has triggered upgrades in cone-forming equipment, especially in high-volume textile nations like India, China, and Turkey.

 

In fact, a few machine manufacturers are offering inline cone quality control using machine vision — catching shape deviations or weak glue joints in real time. That might sound over-engineered for a paper product, but when you're feeding 10,000 cones per shift into precision spinning machines, marginal errors become costly.

 

Compostable coatings are also trending. Previously, adding a water or oil barrier meant using a polyethylene liner — which killed compostability . But with new bio-based coatings derived from corn starch, algae, or cellulose, several manufacturers are offering fully compostable cones with shelf life parity. That’s especially appealing in Europe, where food-contact regulations are tightening every year.

 

Startups and design labs are also experimenting with hybrid pulp sources . Instead of just kraft paper, we’re seeing trials with pineapple fiber , hemp , and bagasse-based cones . These aren’t just greenwashed gimmicks — some of these fibers outperform wood pulp in tensile strength or water resistance, while using agricultural waste as feedstock.

 

And on the retail side, there’s a growing preference for flat-packed cone kits — essentially paper cone blanks that can be assembled by hand for crafts, events, or low-volume food vendors. These formats save space, reduce shipping cost, and align with the DIY packaging trend seen across small businesses and Etsy-style sellers.

 

One packaging consultant in Berlin summed it up like this: “Paper cones were once industrial supplies. Now they’re brand touchpoints. That’s a different game.”

 

The innovation landscape isn’t uniform, though. Many small regional players still operate with legacy machines and limited R&D. But the direction is clear — from food-safe coatings to pulp innovation, the humble paper cone is evolving far beyond its roots in textile winding.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The global paper cone market is fragmented but fiercely regional. While a few large players dominate high-volume supply to global textile or FMCG brands, much of the market is still shaped by small and mid-sized manufacturers operating within national or export clusters. What separates the leaders today isn't just output — it's agility, customization, and compliance.

Conitex Sonoco
One of the few global players with integrated operations across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Their strength lies in scale, vertical integration (they also produce the paperboard), and consistent quality control — especially in supplying textile yarn cones to large spinning mills. The company also offers recycled-content cones with third-party certifications, which appeals to sustainability-conscious buyers in North America and Europe.

 

SKS Paper Products
Based in India, SKS has grown into one of the major exporters of textile cones, particularly to African and Middle Eastern markets. Their edge lies in low-cost, high-volume manufacturing and quick lead times. While less focused on design-heavy applications, they’ve recently expanded into printed cones for the food segment, which could open up new B2C opportunities.

 

Pacific Paper Products
Primarily active in Southeast Asia, this company has gained attention for its range of compostable paper cones for food and event use. Their product line includes grease-resistant coatings and multi- color printing, aimed at fast-casual chains and catering services. Their distribution partnerships in Singapore and Indonesia have helped them move beyond just bulk manufacturing.

 

Hilmarton
A UK-based firm known for high-end custom cones, particularly for premium ice cream brands and event packaging. Their production runs are smaller, but highly tailored. They’ve become a preferred vendor for boutique brands looking for low MOQ, fully biodegradable, and visually branded packaging solutions.

 

Shree Umiya Paper Cone
Another India-based supplier, heavily focused on the domestic textile sector. They’ve started modernizing their production with semi-automated cone winding machines and digital inventory tracking. Their proximity to Gujarat’s spinning hubs gives them a geographic advantage in servicing repeat B2B clients.

 

Sonoco- Alcore (Europe Division)
A division of Sonoco, they handle cone production for high-end industrial use — particularly in the European textile and specialty packaging space. What makes them stand out is their compliance with EU standards for recyclability, food contact safety, and carbon footprint reporting. This positions them well with large retailers and textile brands operating under strict ESG mandates.

Across the board, the competitive gap is widening not based on who can make cones cheaper — but who can do it faster, cleaner, and smarter.
 

Here's a quick benchmark snapshot:

• Global reach : Conitex Sonoco and Sonoco- Alcore

• Cost leader : SKS Paper Products

• Customization and design : Hilmarton and Pacific Paper

• Sustainability compliance : Sonoco- Alcore , Pacific Paper

• Regional textile focus : Shree Umiya , SKS, smaller Vietnamese and Turkish players

What’s also becoming clear? Automation and certification are now competitive levers. A plant with digital calibration and FSC certification is closing more international orders than one that just offers volume.

In this market, the next wave of leaders won’t just be paper converters — they'll be process engineers, brand collaborators, and sustainability partners.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

Regional dynamics in the paper cone market are shaped by three key variables — industrial demand, environmental regulation, and supply chain maturity. While Asia Pacific clearly leads in volume, other regions are evolving fast, especially where foodservice, sustainability mandates, or export-oriented textile sectors are creating targeted spikes in demand.

Asia Pacific

This is the undisputed production and consumption hub for paper cones, led by countries like India , China , Bangladesh , and Vietnam . Most of the demand here is tied to the textile industry , where paper cones are used in massive volumes for yarn winding and transport.

India alone houses hundreds of mid-size cone manufacturers clustered near textile belts like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. China follows a dual approach — mass-producing cones for domestic mills while supplying low-cost cones to emerging African markets.

But here’s the nuance — despite volume leadership, many plants still operate with outdated machines , manual processes, and low automation. That’s beginning to change as textile exporters face compliance audits from international buyers who now ask for eco-certified packaging inputs, including cones.

 

Europe

Europe isn’t a high-volume market, but it is the most regulation-driven . Growth here is tied to food packaging — think of cones for ice cream, fries, snacks, and event uses. Countries like Germany , France , and the Netherlands have rolled out strict bans on single-use plastics, creating direct substitution demand for paper cones.

Interestingly, design and branding matter more here. European food brands often demand printed cones with compostable linings, and suppliers need to meet EN standards for food safety. This has led to a rise in boutique cone converters focused on short-run, high-margin orders.

 

North America

The U.S. and Canada represent a mixed-use growth region . On one side, foodservice players and QSR chains are adopting cones as part of their sustainability mandates. On the other, small-batch manufacturers are tapping into Etsy-style businesses, event packaging, and local farmers' markets.

One interesting trend? Regional paper converters in the U.S. are partnering with food startups to create branded, plastic-free packaging for niche products. There’s also movement in the crafts and education sector , where paper cones are used in bulk for DIY kits and classroom supplies.

 

Latin America

Adoption here is modest but accelerating. Countries like Brazil and Mexico are exploring paper cones mainly in the food packaging space. The key growth vector is the expansion of organized food retail and food trucks , where cones serve as low-cost, eco-friendly alternatives to plastic trays or bags.

That said, cost sensitivity remains high , and many smaller food businesses still default to plastic unless subsidies or incentives tip the balance. Some NGOs and municipal programs are introducing paper cone usage in public events as part of broader green packaging campaigns.

 

Middle East & Africa

This region is still catching up, but not standing still. Textile activity in countries like Egypt , Turkey , and Pakistan drives most of the demand for industrial cones. Meanwhile, Gulf nations like UAE and Saudi Arabia are experimenting with eco-packaging mandates in hospitality and events, creating early use cases for printed food cones.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, paper cone penetration is low , but there's strong potential in urban food stalls and mobile vendors — if pricing and supply logistics can align.

 

Key Regional Takeaway

Asia will continue to dominate in volume, but Europe and North America are defining the innovation curve , especially in food, retail, and branded packaging. Emerging regions like Latin America and Africa won’t drive the market in the short term — but targeted opportunities will arise wherever policy shifts meet low-cost alternatives.

The long-term play? Vendors who can scale responsibly across both industrial and consumer-facing regions — adapting quality, price, and design to local needs — will outperform those stuck in a single-region mindset.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

The paper cone market is anchored by industrial users, but it’s steadily evolving to include a more diverse mix of consumer-facing , service-oriented , and even agricultural stakeholders. Each end-user group approaches the product differently — and their expectations are shaping the next wave of manufacturing, customization, and distribution.

Textile Manufacturers

This remains the dominant end-user category by volume. Yarn spinning mills, weaving units, and fabric exporters rely on paper cones for winding, storing, and transporting various thread counts and fiber types. What matters most here? Dimensional precision, strength, and consistency . Many mills operate automated winding lines that require cones to meet tight tolerances. Any variation can lead to line stoppage or fiber breakage.

Large spinning hubs across India, China, Bangladesh, and Turkey typically source cones from local vendors, ensuring rapid replenishment and minimal logistics cost. However, international buyers are beginning to audit textile supply chains for ESG compliance , and that now includes packaging inputs like cones. As a result, textile mills are slowly pushing suppliers to offer FSC-certified or recycled-content cones .

 

Food & Beverage Operators

The fastest-growing use case segment. Quick-service restaurants, food trucks, and snack brands are adopting paper cones to package fries, popcorn, nuts, desserts, and even wraps — particularly in regions phasing out single-use plastic trays and containers.

These buyers prioritize presentation, hygiene, and grease resistance . They're also sensitive to price — but increasingly willing to pay a premium for compostable and printable formats . Smaller food brands often prefer local cone converters who can do short runs with custom branding.

A notable shift here is toward nested cone sets for portion control — particularly for multi-item snacks or combo meals. For QSR chains, the cone becomes part of the brand experience. It's not just packaging — it’s a tactile, visual moment in the customer journey.

 

Event and Hospitality Businesses

This category includes caterers, party planners, wedding organizers, and pop-up event managers. Here, paper cones are used to serve everything from canapés to confetti . Demand is seasonal and varies by region, but expectations are clear — elegant, photogenic, and compostable packaging that aligns with the theme of the event .

Some cone suppliers now offer ready-to-ship catalogs for event use — including kraft cones with doilies, cones with metallic foil printing, or designs tailored for rustic, modern, or bohemian aesthetics. Many of these buyers are repeat customers with predictable calendar cycles (wedding season, festivals, conferences).

 

Educational and Craft Institutions

Schools, art clubs, and DIY kit sellers use cones as part of craft activities, science experiments, and model-making kits . This isn’t a high-margin segment, but it plays a useful role in absorbing B-grade or unprinted cones that don’t meet industrial specs. Demand here is small but stable — and often driven by bulk purchase during back-to-school or holiday seasons.

 

Horticulture and Agriculture

Paper cones are now used as biodegradable seedling starters in nurseries and gardening centers . The cone acts as both a pot and a soil stabilizer. Once planted, the cone decomposes naturally, reducing transplant shock for young plants. This is more common in Europe and North America, where home gardening and urban farming trends have taken off.

 

Use Case Scenario

A mid-sized QSR chain in South Korea was facing backlash from younger consumers over its continued use of plastic fry trays. In 2023, the company partnered with a local paper converter to develop branded, compostable paper cones for its fries and snacks. After a successful pilot in Seoul, customer satisfaction scores related to eco-packaging rose by 28%, and the program was rolled out chainwide. The cone design even became a small social media trend — with customers sharing pictures of the minimalist packaging under the brand’s hashtag.

The message is clear: cones are no longer a “hidden” part of the supply chain. They’re visible, brandable, and increasingly a proxy for sustainability . Vendors who understand end-user needs — from tensile strength to Instagrammability — will lead the next wave of adoption.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

Recent Developments (Last 2 Years)

• In 2023 , Conitex Sonoco expanded its manufacturing capacity in Southeast Asia, adding two high-speed cone winding lines in Vietnam to meet growing textile sector demand.

• A UK-based startup , Biowrap Packaging , launched a line of fully compostable paper cones using algae-based barrier coatings for food-grade applications.

• Shree Umiya Paper Cone , an India-based manufacturer, received FSC Chain of Custody certification, allowing them to serve ESG-conscious textile exporters in Europe.

• In early 2024 , a South Korean fast-food chain introduced branded cone-based packaging for its sides and finger foods — replacing all plastic trays in urban locations.

• Pacific Paper Products signed a regional distribution agreement with a foodservice supplier in Indonesia to distribute their customizable, grease-resistant cone line to over 1,000 small eateries
   

Opportunities

• Sustainability pressure on QSR and food brands is pushing rapid substitution of plastic trays and boxes with branded, compostable paper cones.

• Hybrid pulp experimentation (e.g., hemp, bagasse, pineapple fiber ) opens the door to differentiated products in both food and industrial packaging.

• Rise of event-based consumption — weddings, pop-ups, festivals — is creating new seasonal demand spikes for photogenic, theme-compatible cones.

• Growing demand in horticulture for biodegradable seedling cones is expanding the product’s relevance beyond industrial and food sectors.
   

Restraints

• Lack of automation among small-scale cone manufacturers creates inconsistency in dimensions — a barrier for automated spinning lines or export clients.

• Volatile kraft paper prices and limited availability of high-grade recycled pulp can squeeze margins for cone makers working on tight per-unit pricing models.
   

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 6.4 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 8.6 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 5.1% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Type, By Application, By Material, By End User, By Geography
By Type	Printed Paper Cones, Plain Paper Cones
By Application	Textile Yarn Winding, Food Packaging, Industrial Packaging, Crafts & Events, Horticulture
By Material	Recycled Kraft Paper, Virgin Kraft Paper, Agro-Waste & Composite Pulp
By End User	Textile Mills, Food & Beverage Operators, Events & Hospitality, Educational & Craft Institutions, Horticulture Enterprises
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., China, India, Japan, Brazil, UAE, South Africa
Market Drivers	- Shift to sustainable packaging in food and retail - Expansion of textile manufacturing in Asia - Rise in compostable and printable paper formats
Customization Option	Available upon request