Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Volume (2024) | 30.90 Million tonnes |
| Market Volume (2029) | 36.20 Million tonnes |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 3.18 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Analysis
The Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size in terms of shipment volume is expected to grow from 30.90 Million tonnes in 2024 to 36.20 Million tonnes by 2029, at a CAGR of 3.18% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The flexible plastic packaging market is driven by a combination of factors, including increasing demand for convenient and lightweight packaging solutions, the need for barrier-resistant packaging solutions, and advancements in packaging technology for improved shelf life and product protection.
- Higher retail sales push manufacturers to create attractive packaging. Flexible plastic packaging allows for creative designs that help products stand out on shelves and catch consumer attention. Retail sales in the United States reached USD 7,242.56 billion in 2023, up from USD 5,396.59 billion in 2019, according to the United States Census Bureau.
- More retail sales often lead to the market's growth, with new products entering the market and existing ones reaching more people. Flexible plastic packaging works well for different product categories, including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care. Its ability to fit various shapes and sizes, cost-effectiveness, and ease of transport also boost its growth, especially with rising retail sales.
- The government's plan to set up technology hubs focused on polymer research and sustainable materials is set to change the flexible plastic packaging industry. With significant R&D funding, these hubs aim to improve materials science, leading to more sustainable, cost-effective, and high-performance packaging solutions.
- By October 2024, the US government would allocate resources to over two dozen technology hubs, focusing on research and development, especially polymers like plastics, to find sustainable materials and processes that will benefit the flexible plastic packaging sector.
- However, the flexible plastic packaging market faces a significant challenge: growing concerns about plastic waste. Packaging is the most critical contributor to global single-use plastic waste, with 36% of all plastics used in this sector. This highlights the urgent need for the industry to innovate and create more sustainable alternatives to reduce environmental impact and meet consumer demands for eco-friendly solutions.
Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Trends
BOPP Films are Gaining Traction due to the Demand for Versatile and Sustainable Packaging Solution
- Polypropylene film is a versatile packaging material that is becoming more popular in various industries. Its low density makes it cost-effective and a suitable replacement for polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, and cellophane. It is used in packaging for stationery, cigarettes, and textiles. According to Plastic Europe, polypropylene comprised about 18.9% of total plastic production in 2022-2023.
- Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film is stretched in two directions. This stretching makes the molecular chains align in two ways, giving BOPP its versatility. BOPP is a crucial polypropylene film type and a great alternative to waxed paper and aluminum foil. It has higher tensile strength and stiffness, better gas barrier properties, and lower haze than CPP.
- BOPP film is part of the polyolefin family, which can be laminated with polyethylene and is still recyclable. The push for sustainability has increased the use of BOPP film over other polymers. For example, in March 2024, Toppan Inc. and India's TOPPAN Speciality Films Private Limited (TSF) developed a BOPP-based GL-SP barrier film for sustainable packaging.
- BOPP films have excellent impact resistance, especially at low temperatures, and resist flex cracking. These properties make them popular in the food packaging industry, replacing cellophane in snack and tobacco packaging. BOPP films are ideal for food packaging because they protect the food's nutritional properties until consumption and offer good optical clarity, transparency, and gloss.
- Flexible plastic packaging often has lower specifications in the cosmetics and toiletries sector. BOPP films are used for overwraps for toilet tissue, wipes, sanitary products, perfume cartons, cosmetics, and men's toiletries. BOPP monolayers and laminates are standard for wrapping soap and toothbrushes. These films offer chemical resistance, a flat surface, and UV protection. They are also recyclable and do not emit toxic elements, which has increased their demand in recent years.
Flexible Plastic Packaging is Meeting Modern Consumer Needs and Enhancing the Product's Shelf Life
- Consumers are increasingly prioritizing products with extended shelf lives, driven by convenience and a desire to combat food waste. With its superior barrier properties, flexible plastic packaging shields items from moisture, oxygen, light, and other factors that compromise their quality and freshness. This primarily benefits perishable goods like food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care items.
- Modern lifestyle is marked by on-the-go consumption, smaller households, and a preference for convenience, which are well-suited for flexible plastic packaging. These solutions are not only lightweight and portable but also offer resealable options, catering to busy schedules. Single-serve and portion-controlled formats are gaining traction, meeting the demand for convenience and controlled portions.
- The surge in frozen food popularity reflects the shift in consumer habits towards quick and convenient meal choices, especially in developed nations. Flexible plastic packaging is pivotal in this narrative, offering easy-to-open formats that streamline meal preparation. Features like resealable closures and portion-sized packs further improve the convenience factor for consumers.
- The German food market, notably receptive to plant-based offerings, presents a lucrative avenue for exporters, particularly those from the United States. Flexible plastic packaging emerges as a standout choice for packaging and transporting these plant-based products, ensuring their quality remains intact through distribution and storage. The United States exporters can carve a competitive niche by capitalizing on the German market's appetite for extended shelf life and convenient packaging.
- The global shift toward plant-based diets reflects evolving consumer values, emphasizing health, environmental consciousness, and ethical considerations. Packaging innovations, such as resealable closures and portion-controlled packs, further elevate the appeal of flexible packaging solutions for these discerning consumers.
Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry Overview
The flexible plastic packaging market is fragmented, with various global players. Key players include Berry Global Group, Amcor Group GmbH, Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, Proampac LLC, Coveris Management GmbH, Novolex Holdings Inc., and Winpak Co. Limited. The players in the market are trying to focus on developing innovative packaging solutions along with acquisition and expansion to stay competitive in the market.
- June 2024 - Coveris Management GmbH announced the acquisition of a Poland-based flexible packaging company named HADEPOL FLEXO. This would help the company cater to the increasing demand for flexible packaging and enhance its ability to meet customers' needs with leading-edge products and services.
- February 2024 - Amcor Group GmbH announced the collaboration with Stonyfield Organic to launch an all-polyethylene (PE) spouted pouch. The new pouch is made from Amcor’s AmPrima Plus, an all-PE film that is designed to meet the APR Design Guide for recyclability. The collaboration will help the company offer a first-to-market solution that provides a sustainable package without compromising on performance.
Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Leaders
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Berry Global Group
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Amcor Group GmbH
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Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH
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Proampac LLC
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Coveris Management GmbH
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Flexible Plastic Packaging Market News
- May 2024: Amcor Group GmbH, through the cosmetics, skincare, and personal care brand AVON, launched the AmPrima Plus refill pouch in China for the AVON Little Black Dress classic shower gels. The AmPrima Plus refill pouch is recycle-ready packaging that helps reduce the carbon footprint by 83% and water consumption and renewable energy by 88% and 79%, respectively, when recycled.
- February 2024: Berry Global Group announced the opening of a circular innovation and training center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which will help the company accelerate the development of highly innovative products driven by superior materials science and engineering. This would help the company help its customers unpack complexities and understand the possibility of the flexible packaging market.
Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumption and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.2.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.2.4 Threat of Substitutes
4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 Increasing Adoption of Convenient and Flexible Packaging for Packaged Food Products
5.1.2 Rising Demand for Cost-effective, Barrier Resistant, and Aesthetic Packaging Solution among End-user Industry
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 Growing Sustainability Concerns and Inadequate Infrastructure for Recycling
6. TRADE SCENARIO
6.1 EXIM Data Based on Product Type and Plastic Resins
6.2 Trade Analysis (Top 5 Import-Export Countries, Price Analysis, and Key Ports, among others)
7. PRICING TREND ANALYSIS
7.1 Plastic Resins (Current Pricing and Historic Trends)
7.2 Product Type (Key Packaging Formats)
8. PACKAGING COST ANALYSIS
9. MARKET SEGMENTATION
9.1 By Material Type
9.1.1 Polyethene (PE)
9.1.2 Bi-oriented Polypropylene (BOPP)
9.1.3 Cast Polypropylene (CPP)
9.1.4 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
9.1.5 Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH)
9.1.6 Other Material Types (Polycarbonate, PHA, PLA, Acrylic, and ABS)
9.2 By Product Type
9.2.1 Pouches
9.2.2 Bags
9.2.3 Films and Wraps
9.2.4 Other Product Types
9.3 By End-User Industry
9.3.1 Food
9.3.1.1 Candy & Confectionery
9.3.1.2 Frozen Foods
9.3.1.3 Fresh Produce
9.3.1.4 Dairy Products
9.3.1.5 Dry Foods
9.3.1.6 Meat, Poultry, and Sea Food
9.3.1.7 Pet Food
9.3.1.8 Other Food Products (Seasonings & Spices, Spreadables, Sauces, Condiments, etc.)
9.3.2 Beverage
9.3.3 Medical and Pharmaceutical
9.3.4 Personal Care and Household Care
9.3.5 Other End user Industries ( Automotive, Chemical, Agriculture)
9.4 By Geography***
9.4.1 North America
9.4.1.1 United States
9.4.1.2 Canada
9.4.2 Europe
9.4.2.1 France
9.4.2.2 Germany
9.4.2.3 Italy
9.4.2.4 United Kingdom
9.4.2.5 Spain
9.4.2.6 Poland
9.4.2.7 Nordic
9.4.3 Asia-Pacific
9.4.3.1 China
9.4.3.2 India
9.4.3.3 Japan
9.4.3.4 Thailand
9.4.3.5 Australia and New Zealand
9.4.3.6 Indonesia
9.4.3.7 Vietnam
9.4.4 Latin America
9.4.4.1 Brazil
9.4.4.2 Mexico
9.4.4.3 Colombia
9.4.5 Middle East and Africa
9.4.5.1 United Arab Emirates
9.4.5.2 Saudi Arabia
9.4.5.3 Egypt
9.4.5.4 South Africa
9.4.5.5 Nigeria
9.4.5.6 Morocco
10. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
10.1 Company Profiles*
10.1.1 Berry Global Group
10.1.2 Amcor Group GmbH
10.1.3 Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH
10.1.4 Proampac LLC
10.1.5 Coveris Management GmbH
10.1.6 Novolex Holdings Inc.
10.1.7 Winpak Co. Limited
10.1.8 Sealed Air Corporation
10.1.9 Sigma Plastics Group Inc.
10.1.10 Uflex Limited
10.1.11 American Packaging Corporation
10.1.12 Sonoco Products Company
10.1.13 Toppan Inc.
10.1.14 Mondi PLC
10.1.15 Huhtamaki Oyj
10.1.16 Printpack Inc.
10.1.17 Transcontinental Inc.
11. HEAT MAP ANALYSIS
12. COMPETITOR ANALYSIS - EMERGING VS. ESTABLISHED PLAYERS
13. RECYCLING & SUSTAINABILITY LANDSCAPE
14. FUTURE OUTLOOK
Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry Segmentation
Flexible plastic packaging optimizes sustainability, product safety during transit and storage, and space efficiency by blending film and plastic materials. The study covers the flexible packaging market tracked in terms of consumption and is limited to flexible packaging products made from plastic. The study analyzes the factors that impact geopolitical developments in the studied market based on the prevalent base scenarios, key themes, and end-user industries-related demand cycles. The study also tracks the key market parameters, underlying growth influencers, and major vendors operating in the industry, which supports the market estimations and growth rates during the forecast period.
The 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 ]), and Geography (North America [United States and Canada], Europe [France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom,Spain, Poland, Nordic and Rest of Europe], Asia-Pacific [China, India, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, and Rest of Asia-Pacific], Latin America [Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Rest of Latin America], and Middle East and Africa [United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco and Rest of Middle East and Africa]). The report offers market forecasts and size in 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 |
| By End-User Industry | ||||||||||
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| Beverage | ||||||||||
| Medical and Pharmaceutical | ||||||||||
| Personal Care and Household Care | ||||||||||
| Other End user Industries ( Automotive, Chemical, Agriculture) |
| By Geography*** | |||||||||
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Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Research FAQs
How big is the Flexible Plastic Packaging Market?
The Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size is expected to reach 30.90 million tonnes in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 3.18% to reach 36.20 million tonnes by 2029.
What is the current Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size?
In 2024, the Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size is expected to reach 30.90 million tonnes.
Who are the key players in Flexible Plastic Packaging Market?
Berry Global Group, Amcor Group GmbH, Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, Proampac LLC and Coveris Management GmbH are the major companies operating in the Flexible Plastic Packaging Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Flexible Plastic Packaging Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Flexible Plastic Packaging Market?
In 2024, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Flexible Plastic Packaging Market.
What years does this Flexible Plastic Packaging Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size was estimated at 29.92 million tonnes. The report covers the Flexible Plastic Packaging Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Flexible Plastic Packaging market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Flexible Plastic Packaging analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2024 to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
