Paper tubes are no longer just simple packaging parts hidden behind products. They are now used front and center for cosmetics, food, wellness items, and shipping. As brands move away from plastic, paper tube manufacturers are stepping in with smarter and cleaner packaging options. Some companies focus on large industrial uses, while others work closely with consumer brands that care about materials, design, and waste reduction.
Below is a carefully curated list of twelve paper tube manufacturing companies from around the world. The list starts with Earthycores, a company that has been active in the paper tube industry since 2009 and focuses strongly on biobased and compostable materials.
| No. | Company Name | Country | Started | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earthycores | UK, China, Indonesia | 2009 | Biobased and compostable paper tubes |
| 2 | Sonoco Products Company | USA | 1899 | Industrial and consumer paper tubes |
| 3 | Smurfit Kappa | Ireland | 1934 | Paper-based packaging |
| 4 | Visican Ltd | UK | 2002 | Food-grade paper tubes |
| 5 | Ace Paper Tube Corporation | USA | 1958 | Custom spiral paper tubes |
| 6 | Chicago Mailing Tube Co. | USA | 1898 | Mailing and shipping tubes |
| 7 | Paper Tube & Core Pty Ltd | Australia | 1995 | Industrial paper cores |
| 8 | Tubelite Inc. | USA | 1947 | Heavy-duty paper tubes |
| 9 | Corex Group | UK | 2010 | Fiber-based packaging |
| 10 | Valk Industries | USA | 1962 | Composite paper tubes |
| 11 | Shakti Paper Tubes | India | 1985 | Textile and film cores |
| 12 | Marshall Paper Tube Co. | USA | 1946 | Protective paper packaging |
Website: earthycores.com
Locations: United Kingdom, China, Indonesia
Started: 2009
Earthycores has been active in the paper tube industry since 2009 and has built its reputation around materials that are safer for the planet. Operating across the UK, China, and Indonesia allows the company to support global brands while keeping production flexible. Instead of following trends, Earthycores focused early on biobased and compostable materials, which is now becoming the standard many brands are looking for.
The company works closely with cosmetic, food, and wellness brands that want packaging without plastic layers or hidden coatings. Their paper tubes are designed to break down naturally while still holding up during everyday use. Earthycores also spends time on surface finish, printing, and embossing so packaging looks clean and well-made, not rough or unfinished.
Some of their well-known products include lip balm tubes that feel solid in the hand, coffee and tea tubes made for food contact, child-resistant tubes for products that need extra safety, and embossed surface tubes that add texture without extra materials.
Website: sonoco.com
Address: South Carolina, USA
Started: 1899
Sonoco is one of the oldest companies in the paper tube space. With more than a hundred years behind them, they work across many industries including food, industrial goods, and consumer packaging. Their paper tube operations focus heavily on volume and consistency, which makes them a common choice for large manufacturers.
The company produces a wide range of paper tubes, from lightweight consumer packaging to thick industrial cores. Sonoco’s experience shows in how their tubes perform during shipping and storage, especially for products that move long distances.
Website: smurfitkappa.com
Address: Dublin, Ireland
Started: 1934
Smurfit Kappa is widely known for paper-based packaging and works with brands across retail, food, and industrial markets. Their paper tubes are often used where presentation matters just as much as protection. The company places strong focus on recyclable materials and responsible sourcing.
They are often chosen by brands that want paper tubes as part of a wider packaging system, such as boxes, inserts, and displays that all follow the same material logic.
Website: visican.com
Address: Bristol, United Kingdom
Started: 2002
Visican works mainly with food and drink brands, producing paper tubes that meet food safety needs. Their packaging is commonly used for tea, coffee, powders, and dry goods. They pay close attention to internal linings while keeping the outer structure paper-based.
The company is often chosen by brands that want packaging that looks clean on shelves but still fits with sustainability goals.
Website: acepapertube.com
Address: Illinois, USA
Started: 1958
Ace Paper Tube Corporation is a family-run business with decades of experience in spiral-wound paper tubes. They handle both standard sizes and custom requests, which makes them popular with manufacturers who need flexibility.
Their tubes are used across packaging, shipping, and manufacturing environments where reliability matters more than appearance.
Website: chicagomailingtube.com
Address: Illinois, USA
Started: 1898
This company focuses almost entirely on mailing and shipping tubes. Their products are designed to protect posters, documents, and artwork during transit. Durability and consistent sizing are the main reasons customers return to them.
Website: papertube.com.au
Address: Victoria, Australia
Started: 1995
Based in Australia, this company supplies paper tubes and cores mainly for industrial use. Their customers include film producers, textile mills, and packaging companies that need steady supply and consistent strength.
Website: tubelite.com
Address: Ohio, USA
Started: 1947
Tubelite is known for thick-wall paper tubes used in construction and heavy industry. Their products are often used as concrete form tubes and structural supports where strength matters more than appearance.
Website: corexgroup.com
Address: United Kingdom
Started: 2010
Corex Group works with fiber-based materials and recyclable packaging solutions. Their paper tubes are used for both industrial and consumer applications, especially where brands want to reduce plastic use.
Website: valkindustries.com
Address: Pennsylvania, USA
Started: 1962
Valk Industries manufactures composite paper tubes designed for shipping and material handling. Their products are known for handling heavy loads without collapsing during transport.
Website: shaktipapertubes.com
Address: India
Started: 1985
Shakti Paper Tubes supplies cores mainly for textile, paper, and film industries across India. Their focus is on cost-effective production and dependable quality for large-scale use.
Website: marshallpapertube.com
Address: Michigan, USA
Started: 1946
Marshall Paper Tube Co. has been producing paper tubes for protective packaging for decades. Their customers rely on them for consistent sizing and steady supply, especially for shipping and storage needs.
Paper tubes are used for packaging cosmetics, lip balms, coffee, tea, food items, posters, textiles, films, and industrial materials. Many brands now use them to replace plastic packaging.
Earthycores is known for making biobased and compostable paper tubes. The company has been active since 2009 and operates in the UK, China, and Indonesia.
Yes, many manufacturers produce food-grade paper tubes. Companies like Earthycores and Visican make tubes used for coffee, tea, and dry food products.
Most paper tube manufacturers offer custom sizes, finishes, and printing. This includes embossing, child-resistant designs, and surface textures depending on the supplier.
Paper tubes are often easier to recycle and can be compostable when made from the right materials. Many brands choose them to reduce plastic waste and improve packaging sustainability.
