E-commerce Mega Sales Fuel “Minimalist Packaging” Trend: Paper Cushioning Penetration Exceeds 50%
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author - 12th May 2026
During this year’s “Double 11” and “Black Friday” promotions, search volumes for terms like “plastic-free packaging” and “recyclable boxes” skyrocketed by 210% year-over-year. This surge has driven the penetration rate of paper cushioning materials—including honeycomb cardboard and corrugated inserts—in 3C electronics and home appliance packaging to 51%, marking a 13-percentage-point increase from last year.
Data from JD Logistics indicates that products packed with paper cushioning achieved a damage rate of just 0.8%, significantly outperforming traditional plastic foam (2.3%). Experts from the China Packaging Federation note that the future lies in “structural customization plus integrated printing,” where packaging serves both protective and branding functions.



