A new survey undertaken by the International Molded Fiber Association (IMFA) reveals a snapshot of current industry sentiment, production trends, investment priorities, and growth expectations in the rapidly growing molded fiber sector.
The segment, which creates rigid packaging solutions by taking a slurry of recycled fiber and press-molding it into specific shapes, was considered to be a niche segment only a few years ago.
However, in line with changing sustainability and consumer demands, the segment is now worth a reported $4.5 billion creating an increasing need for reliable market intelligence and benchmarking data.
The survey draws on participation from manufacturers across Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa, and claims to be the “the first coordinated global dataset for the molded fiber industry.”
Sentiment amongst the participants appears to be strong. Nearly 79% of them expect production to increase in 2026, while 74% report plans to invest in additional production capacity within the next 24 months.
Meanwhile, 84% of respondents expect to either expand their workforce or maintain current staffing levels, and almost 70% of respondents report that regulations are having a positive impact on demand. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%) indicated plans to increase their use of artificial intelligence over the next year.
“What the results tell us is encouraging. Manufacturers are investing in capacity, planning for growth, expanding their workforces, and responding to increasing demand for fiber-based packaging solutions,” says Gary Visser, Executive Chairman of IMFA.
“Just as importantly, companies from around the world were willing to contribute to this effort because they recognize that a stronger understanding of the industry benefits all of us.”
Beyond the individual findings, the reports also highlight several of the forces shaping the industry’s future. Participants identified energy costs, regulatory uncertainty, and technological limitations as the most significant constraints on future growth, while tariffs and trade duties continue to affect manufacturers across global markets. At the same time, companies expressed strong confidence in the long-term outlook for molded fiber, supported by growing demand, regulatory momentum, and continued investment in innovation.
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