Key Trends Shaping the Future

1. Sustainability Focus: The move toward BPA-free and environmentally friendly papers is the most significant trend. Companies that can innovate with safe and recyclable thermal paper will be at a competitive advantage.
2. Technological Advancements: Improved coatings, enhanced image durability, and compatibility with advanced printing systems are helping thermal papers meet diverse industrial requirements.
3. Digital Integration: While digital receipts are becoming more common, hybrid models where customers are given the option between printed and digital receipts are likely to sustain demand for thermal paper in the foreseeable future.
4. Global Logistics Expansion: Cross-border trade and e-commerce growth continue to create a strong need for thermal labels, supporting long-term growth.

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Market Drivers

1. E-Commerce and Logistics Boom

The global rise in online shopping has been a major catalyst for the thermal paper market. E-commerce and logistics companies rely heavily on thermal printing for shipping labels, barcodes, and QR codes. Thermal paper labels are favored for their durability, resistance to smudging, and ability to withstand moisture and varying environmental conditions.

With global parcel shipments projected to exceed 200 billion annually by 2025, the demand for thermal labels is poised for substantial growth. Companies in the supply chain ecosystem are investing in thermal printing solutions to ensure fast, accurate, and reliable labeling, which is critical for efficient operations.

2. Growing ATM Transactions

The financial services sector is another significant consumer of thermal paper. Every ATM transaction typically generates a receipt printed on thermal paper. In markets such as the United States, ATM transactions exceed 10 billion annually, underscoring the steady demand for thermal paper rolls. As banking penetration deepens in emerging economies, ATM installations and transactions are expected to rise further, fueling thermal paper consumption.

3. Retail and Point-of-Sale Expansion

Point-of-sale (POS) systems in retail outlets, supermarkets, restaurants, and service centers rely on thermal paper for quick and cost-effective receipts. The retail industry’s focus on customer experience, faster checkouts, and digital integration has further strengthened the relevance of thermal printing. Even with the rise of digital receipts, thermal paper continues to dominate due to its convenience, low cost, and instant usability.

4. Ticketing, Lottery, and Gaming Applications

Thermal paper also finds widespread usage in ticketing for transportation, events, and parking, as well as in lottery and gaming activities. These sectors require high-speed printing with clear, durable output—capabilities where thermal paper excels.

5. Healthcare and Medical Applications

The healthcare industry uses thermal paper in medical charts, prescriptions, ultrasound scans, and laboratory records. The need for accurate, high-quality printouts in critical healthcare processes ensures a steady flow of demand from this sector.

Key Industry Developments:

• July 2019   – Lecta announced that all the thermal paper it supplies in the European Union will be BPA-free, to comply with the prohibition announced by the EU from January 2020.
• February 2020   – Domtar Corporation announced the acquisition of the POS paper business of Appvion Operations, Inc. The transaction includes acquirement of the coater and related equipment located at Appvion’s Ohio based facility. Domtar seeks to make a globally competitive POS paper business and open new avenues for the growth of the company via this acquisition.

Shift Toward Safer and Sustainable Thermal Paper

For decades, thermal paper contained Bisphenol A (BPA) as a developer to enable image formation during the printing process. However, growing awareness about the potential health hazards of BPA and its classification as an endocrine disruptor led to rising concerns. Regulatory bodies across North America, Europe, and Asia have imposed strict restrictions or outright bans on the use of BPA in thermal papers.

This has accelerated the transition toward BPA-free thermal papers, with alternatives such as Bisphenol S (BPS), Pergafast-201, BPS-MAE, TGSA, d-8, and d-90 gaining prominence. In Europe, BPA-based paper usage declined significantly between 2015 and 2018, while BPS and other substitutes recorded strong growth. With regulations becoming stricter after 2020, paper producers and retailers are increasingly adopting BPA-free solutions to ensure consumer safety and compliance. This sustainability-driven transformation is creating new opportunities for manufacturers that can innovate and supply eco-friendly thermal paper products.

Outlook

The thermal paper market stands at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and commerce. With industries ranging from logistics and retail to healthcare and gaming relying on thermal printing solutions, the demand outlook remains strong. The transition toward safer and eco-friendly alternatives, coupled with booming e-commerce shipments and steady banking transactions, ensures that thermal paper will continue to play a vital role in global trade and daily consumer interactions. As the world moves toward digital transformation, thermal paper is evolving rather than declining—adapting to sustainability norms, embracing innovation, and securing its place in a fast-changing industrial landscape.