Europe Protective Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The Europe protective packaging market is experiencing growth driven by the expanding e-commerce sector and the increasing demand for efficient packaging solutions across various industries, including consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive. The market's expansion is particularly notable in the United Kingdom, where the Flexible Packaging sector is a key contributor. Innovations such as downgauging and the use of alternative raw materials are expected to offer further growth opportunities. Additionally, the market is seeing increased activity in mergers and acquisitions, as companies seek to address emerging challenges and enhance their market presence. The shift towards lightweight packaging is also significant, driven by cost-saving demands and the logistics industry's adoption of dimensional weight pricing. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the demand for protective packaging, particularly in the food and beverage sector, as consumers increasingly turn to online ordering and delivery services.

Market Size of Europe Protective Packaging Industry

Europe Protective Packaging Market Size
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Forecast Data Period 2024 - 2029
Historical Data Period 2019 - 2022
CAGR 3.40 %
Market Concentration Medium

Major Players

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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Europe Protective Packaging Market Analysis

The Europe protective packaging market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period 2020 - 2027. Protective packaging is one of the most significant packaging styles used for packaging various end-user industry products, such as consumer electronics, pharmaceutical, and automotive, which safeguard and shield core products from damage during transportation or storage. The e-commerce industry is increasing across Europe by nearly 7% annually and is boosting the market growth. Further, the United Kingdom holds third place worldwide for most parcels delivered yearly at 1.9 billion packages.

  • The market in the United Kingdom is mainly growing due to the Flexible Packaging sector. Global packaging vendors are expanding in this region, and local companies are being acquired, which is indicative of the market potential in the area. For instance, in January 2020, Macfarlane Group acquired protective packaging solutions provider Armagrip for undisclosed sums.
  • Beauty brands in the region are taking greater care in packaging and logistics operations. Product innovations, such as downgauging and the emergence of alternative raw materials, are expected to translate into future growth opportunities. Moreover, for industries with a bulk need for packaging materials, the vendors also provide packaging equipment and raw materials to maintain businesses with high volume and huge value customers.
  • Moreover, the market is witnessing new partnerships and M&A activities to address new challenges emerging in the market and drive growth. For example, Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm, agreed to acquire Pregis LLC, protective packaging materials and automated systems manufacturer, from Olympus Partners, which after five years of ownership and a series of acquisitions, resulted in Pregis LLC's growth from 14 to 22 manufacturing sites in North America and Europe.
  • Although light-weighting of the board has long been affecting the corrugated industry, light-weighting and proper-sizing play a critically important role in this industry, not only in response to buyer's demands for efficient packaging but also in response to buyer's demands for efficient packaging also in response to the logistics system's adoption of dimensional weight (DIM) pricing, in some scenarios, substituting a heavier board grade can provide a better impact overall as it allows for the eradication of additional protective elements. Light weighting has been quite successful in Western Europe. The importance of lightweighting will continue to be felt even in the coming years as it is cost-saving.
  • Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the lockdown enforced and social distancing norm has elevated the consumer to order their requisite through online medium. The food and beverage sector has also been witnessing rising demand for takeaway and online delivery, driving the growth of the protective packaging market in the region.

Europe Protective Packaging Industry Segmentation

Protective packaging is materials that are built to protect and add a buffer to a product from potential harm or damage/destruction while shipping or warehousing. Protective packaging can be used either as primary packaging or secondary packaging material depending upon the products' end-use application. The scope of the market is comprehensive and is limited to Europe.

Material Type
Plastics
Paper and Paperboard
Other Material Types
Product Type
Rigid
Molded Pulp
Paperboard-based Protectors
Insulated Shipping Containers
Flexibles (Mailers, Paper Full, and Air Pillows)
Bubble Wraps
Foam Based
End-user Vertical
Food and Beverage
Pharmaceutical
Consumer Electronics
Beauty and Homecare
Other End-user Verticals
Country
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Italy
Rest of Europe
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Europe Protective Packaging Market Size Summary

The Europe protective packaging market is experiencing steady growth, driven by the increasing demand from various end-user industries such as consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive. This growth is further fueled by the expanding e-commerce sector across Europe, with the United Kingdom leading in parcel deliveries. The market is characterized by the rise of flexible packaging solutions, with global and local companies engaging in strategic acquisitions to enhance their market presence. Innovations in packaging materials and techniques, such as downgauging and the use of alternative raw materials, are expected to create new growth opportunities. The market is also witnessing a surge in partnerships and mergers and acquisitions, aimed at addressing emerging challenges and driving further expansion.

The protective packaging market in Europe is moderately fragmented, with numerous vendors offering a wide range of solutions to meet the growing demand. Companies are increasingly focusing on sustainable and recyclable packaging options, responding to the rising consumer preference for eco-friendly products. The market is supported by significant growth in the personal care and food and beverage sectors, particularly through online channels. Key players in the market are investing in product innovations and strategic initiatives to capture market share, with recent developments including the introduction of recyclable packaging solutions. The ongoing demand for protective packaging is expected to continue, driven by the need for efficient and cost-effective packaging solutions in response to evolving consumer and industry needs.

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Europe Protective Packaging Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET DYNAMICS

    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/Consumers

      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 Market Drivers

      1. 1.3.1 Increasing Trend of E-commerce

    4. 1.4 Market Challenges

      1. 1.4.1 Alternative Forms of Packaging

    5. 1.5 Assessment of Impact of COVID-19 on the market

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 2.1 Material Type

      1. 2.1.1 Plastics

      2. 2.1.2 Paper and Paperboard

      3. 2.1.3 Other Material Types

    2. 2.2 Product Type

      1. 2.2.1 Rigid

        1. 2.2.1.1 Molded Pulp

        2. 2.2.1.2 Paperboard-based Protectors

        3. 2.2.1.3 Insulated Shipping Containers

      2. 2.2.2 Flexibles (Mailers, Paper Full, and Air Pillows)

        1. 2.2.2.1 Bubble Wraps

      3. 2.2.3 Foam Based

    3. 2.3 End-user Vertical

      1. 2.3.1 Food and Beverage

      2. 2.3.2 Pharmaceutical

      3. 2.3.3 Consumer Electronics

      4. 2.3.4 Beauty and Homecare

      5. 2.3.5 Other End-user Verticals

    4. 2.4 Country

      1. 2.4.1 United Kingdom

      2. 2.4.2 Germany

      3. 2.4.3 France

      4. 2.4.4 Italy

      5. 2.4.5 Rest of Europe

Europe Protective Packaging Market Size FAQs

The Europe Protective Packaging Market is projected to register a CAGR of 3.40% during the forecast period (2024-2029)

Intertape Polymer Group Inc., Sealed Air Corporation , Sonoco Products Company, Smurfit Kappa Group plc and DS Smith plc are the major companies operating in the Europe Protective Packaging Market.

Europe Protective Packaging Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)