China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market is experiencing growth driven by the country's extensive consumer base and the expanding e-commerce sector, which demand efficient and convenient packaging solutions. This growth is further supported by lifestyle changes and a shift towards Western food services, increasing the need for packaging that ensures food quality, safety, and extended shelf life. Despite challenges posed by environmental concerns and plastic waste management, which could potentially hinder expansion, there are opportunities for biodegradable alternatives. The market's dynamics are also influenced by strategic business expansions through partnerships and investments in key infrastructure projects.

Market Size of China Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry

China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Market Volume (2024) 6.28 Million tonnes
Market Volume (2029) 7.51 Million tonnes
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 3.64 %
Market Concentration Low

Major Players

China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Analysis

The China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size in terms of shipment volume is expected to grow from 6.28 Million tonnes in 2024 to 7.51 Million tonnes by 2029, at a CAGR of 3.64% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

China's vast consumer base and booming e-commerce sector present a lucrative landscape for flexible plastic packaging manufacturers and suppliers. As online purchases surge, the need for efficient and convenient packaging escalates.

  • Lifestyle change spurs companies to innovate state-of-the-art plastic packaging solutions tailored for e-commerce. It opens avenues for sustainable alternatives, aligning with China's rising environmental consciousness. Additionally, China's appetite for foods is poised for growth, bolstered by the government's push for food outlets and reduced tariffs on frozen imports.
  • The nation's palate is evolving, with a noticeable uptick in the preference for and influence of Western food services. This culinary shift is anticipated to drive up the demand for seafood, including sushi, platters, lobsters, and oysters. The Chinese flexible plastic packaging market is surging, propelled by the escalating demand for convenient food packaging.
  • Consumers increasingly prioritize food quality, safety, and extended shelf life, fueling the need for more convenient packaging solutions. Chinese consumers have a growing appetite for fish, meat, and vegetable products, especially when retort-packed for enhanced shelf stability. Also, ready-made meals are gaining traction among the population.
  • Companies operating in the country are expanding their business through partnerships, mergers, and others. For instance, in January 2024, SABIC, a global leader in diversified chemicals, confirmed its commitment to the SABIC Fujian Petrochemical Complex (also known as the Sino-Saudi Gulei Ethylene Complex Project) in China's Fujian province. This marks a significant milestone in SABIC's expanding presence in China, representing Fujian's most crucial foreign investment. 
  • The project boasts an estimated total investment of CNY 44.8 billion (USD 6.4 billion). At its core, the complex features a mixed-fed steam cracker, poised to produce up to 1.8 million tons of ethylene annually. The complex will house a suite of top-tier downstream facilities, encompassing ethylene glycol (EG), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and other vital units. Anticipated to be wrapped up by 2026, the project's construction is well underway.
  • However, the growing concern over plastic waste and its consequences on the environment might limit the market's growth. The country is focused on plastic ban and waste management solutions to eradicate plastic waste. This further creates opportunities for biodegradable plastics in the country for packaging.

China Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry Segmentation

The study on the Chinese flexible plastic packaging market tracks demands in terms of revenue for flexible plastic packaging by material. It tracks the market size for respective end-user types. The estimates for the Chinese flexible plastic packaging market include all the costs associated with flexible plastic packaging manufacturing, from raw material procurement to reaching the end-user industries. The estimates exclude the cost of the content that is or is to be packed inside the flexible plastic packaging. The scope of the flexible plastic packaging market is limited to B2B demand. Market numbers have been arrived at using bottom-up and top-down approaches for segmentation, and volume has also been considered.

The China flexible plastic packaging market report is segmented by material (polyethene [pe], bi-oriented polypropylene [bopp], cast polypropylene [cpp], polyvinyl chloride [pvc], ethylene vinyl alcohol [evoh], and other material types [polycarbonate, pha, pla, acrylic, and abs]), product type (pouches, bags, films and wraps, and other product types), end-user industry (food [frozen food, dry food, meat, poultry, and sea food, candy & confectionery, pet food, dairy products, fresh produce and other food (seasonings & spices, spreadables, sauces, condiments, etc.)], beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, personal care and household care, and other end user industry [automotive, chemical, agriculture ]). The report offers market forecasts and volume (tonnes) for all the above segments.

By Material Type
Polyethene (PE)
Bi-oriented Polypropylene (BOPP)
Cast Polypropylene (CPP)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH)
Other Material Types (Polycarbonate, PHA, PLA, Acrylic, and ABS)
By Product Type
Pouches
Bags
Films and Wraps
Other Product Types (Blister Packs, Liners, etc)
By End-User Industry
Food
Candy & Confectionery
Frozen Foods
Fresh Produce
Dairy Products
Dry Foods
Meat, Poultry, And Seafood
Pet Food
Other Food Products (Seasonings & Spices, Spreadables, Sauces, Condiments, etc.)
Beverage
Medical and Pharmaceutical
Personal Care and Household Care
Other End user Industries ( Automotive, Chemical, Agriculture)
Need A Different Region Or Segment?
Customize Now

China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Size Summary

The Chinese flexible plastic packaging market is poised for significant growth, driven by the country's expansive consumer base and the rapid expansion of its e-commerce sector. As online shopping continues to rise, the demand for efficient and convenient packaging solutions is escalating. This trend is further fueled by lifestyle changes that encourage companies to innovate advanced packaging solutions, including sustainable alternatives, in response to China's increasing environmental awareness. The evolving culinary preferences in China, with a growing inclination towards Western food services, are also contributing to the surge in demand for flexible plastic packaging, particularly in the food sector. The government's initiatives to boost food outlets and reduce tariffs on frozen imports are expected to further enhance the market's growth, as consumers increasingly prioritize food quality, safety, and convenience.

The market landscape is characterized by a mix of domestic and global players, with companies actively pursuing expansion through strategic partnerships, mergers, and product innovations. Notable developments include significant investments in petrochemical complexes and the introduction of eco-friendly packaging solutions by major corporations. However, the market faces challenges from environmental concerns related to plastic waste, prompting a shift towards biodegradable packaging options. The rising internet penetration and the growing purchasing power of younger generations in China are expected to further drive the market's expansion, particularly in the online grocery segment. As the demand for packaged foods and convenience products continues to rise, the flexible plastic packaging market in China is set to experience robust growth, offering lucrative opportunities for both local and international players.

Explore More

China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET INSIGHTS

    1. 1.1 Market Overview

    2. 1.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      2. 1.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

      3. 1.2.3 Threat of New Entrants

      4. 1.2.4 Threat of Substitute Products

      5. 1.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

    3. 1.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 2.1 By Material Type

      1. 2.1.1 Polyethene (PE)

      2. 2.1.2 Bi-oriented Polypropylene (BOPP)

      3. 2.1.3 Cast Polypropylene (CPP)

      4. 2.1.4 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

      5. 2.1.5 Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH)

      6. 2.1.6 Other Material Types (Polycarbonate, PHA, PLA, Acrylic, and ABS)

    2. 2.2 By Product Type

      1. 2.2.1 Pouches

      2. 2.2.2 Bags

      3. 2.2.3 Films and Wraps

      4. 2.2.4 Other Product Types (Blister Packs, Liners, etc)

    3. 2.3 By End-User Industry

      1. 2.3.1 Food

        1. 2.3.1.1 Candy & Confectionery

        2. 2.3.1.2 Frozen Foods

        3. 2.3.1.3 Fresh Produce

        4. 2.3.1.4 Dairy Products

        5. 2.3.1.5 Dry Foods

        6. 2.3.1.6 Meat, Poultry, And Seafood

        7. 2.3.1.7 Pet Food

        8. 2.3.1.8 Other Food Products (Seasonings & Spices, Spreadables, Sauces, Condiments, etc.)

      2. 2.3.2 Beverage

      3. 2.3.3 Medical and Pharmaceutical

      4. 2.3.4 Personal Care and Household Care

      5. 2.3.5 Other End user Industries ( Automotive, Chemical, Agriculture)

China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Size FAQs

The China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size is expected to reach 6.28 million tonnes in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 3.64% to reach 7.51 million tonnes by 2029.

In 2024, the China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size is expected to reach 6.28 million tonnes.

China Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Size and Share Analysis - Growth Trend and Forecasts (2024-2029)