Flexible Packaging Market Report

Global Flexible Packaging Market Size

The global flexible packaging market size is expected to grow from USD 269.79 billion in 2024, and USD 426.13 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.21% from 2025 to 2033. 

Flexible packaging is the latest trend across the world in food & beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. These industries require high-quality packaging solutions to limit the damage to the products. Effective packaging plays an important role in improving the quality of the products. With the penetration of the latest technological developments, all industries are thriving to adopt the latest changes in packaging style to attract consumers. The demand for flexible packaging is growing widely across the world due to the enormous concern over environmental pollution. Flexible packaging leaves very little carbon footprint when compared with other types of packaging types, which accounts for the number of industries adopting this style of packaging. Flexible packaging requires very little energy, emits fewer greenhouse gases, and is gradually seeking much attention from government authorities. Nowadays, the demand for special packaging of products in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and other industries is becoming crucial in order to follow the stringent rules and regulations imposed by the government authorities for the safety of the people. 

MARKET DRIVERS

Growing Demand From Various Industries

Increasing demand to raise the production rate of various food products is a major factor for market growth. Urban people are more inclined to concentrate on high-quality food products. The longer shelf life and quality of the food depend on the suitable packaging solutions. Therefore, the food and beverages industry is opting for the adoption of flexible packaging to enhance the quality of the products. The launch of various packaging styles with different materials that can readily be changed according to the products is substantially leveling up the market size. Nowadays, people are more inclined to eat processed food products that are healthy at the same time. Companies focusing on promoting the consumer-preferred style of food products with a high shelf life are likely to promote the growth rate of the market. The best property associated with flexible packaging is eco-friendliness. Government plans to reduce carbon emissions by adopting new technological developments are likely to fuel the flexible packaging market share. Expansion of retail sales in both developed and emerging countries is ascribed to promoting the market size to the next level. 

People in developed countries are more flexible in eating packaged food products due to a lack of time to cook fresh foods. In this sedentary lifestyle, they opt to eat quality food products to maintain good health and life balance. Busy lifestyle schedules in urban areas are curated to amplify the growth rate of the flexible packaging market. Quick adoption of modern technologies in the pharmaceutical industry is substantial to leverage the market's growth rate. Pharmaceutical industries need to follow high-standard rules and regulations to deliver a drug with proper packaging. Packaging plays an important role in the medicinal and pharmaceutical industries in order to sustain product quality. Protecting the products from contamination is essential, and flexible packaging helps extend the shelf life of the products, which elevates the growth rate of the market. Another factor boosting the market share is that this packaging style requires very little space and can be suitable for any kind of product in the industry. 

MARKET RESTRAINTS

However, a lack of complete knowledge of the packaging style, especially in undeveloped countries, is ascribed to hinder the growth rate of the flexible packaging market. Flexible packaging cannot withstand harsh temperatures and is not resistant to chemicals when compared with rigid packaging. Also, flexible packaging requires a large number of workers to handle the process. All these attributes are degrading the growth rate of the market to some extent. The rising concern towards environmental protection to lower the greenhouse effects through completely reducing the use of plastic-based films is likely to hinder the growth rate of the market. In addition, reluctance to adopt new technologies due to rising economic crises is likely to degrade the market value in the coming years. 

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

More than 30% of food is wasted around the world only due to a lack of proper packaging solutions by the industries. The flexible packaging market share is gaining huge traction globally with the increasing support from the government through investments. The government plans to lower the wastage of food products by increasing shelf life, which can only be obtained through effective packaging. Therefore, the prominence of the flexible packaging market has been tremendously growing in the past few years. Wastage of food is a big concern in today's world.  Food wastage is implied to increase the carbon footprint, which elevates the risk of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a rising focus on food security and encourages government authorities to take the necessary initiatives to tackle the wastage of food in an efficient way by promoting flexible packaging solutions. 

MARKET CHALLENGES

Increasing prices of the final products due to disruptions in the supply chain is a big challenging factor for key market players. People nowadays are more inclined to adopt frequent changes in technology in developed countries. Technological advancements are frequently changing, and the difficulty of adopting technological possibilities in very little time is a bit difficult for companies, which is an impeding factor for the market growth rate. 

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

By Type Insights

The wraps segment is likely to have a dominant growth rate in the coming years. The stand-up pouches segment is leading with the dominant share of the market. Stand-up pouches have major advantages in packing food and beverages in various styles according to the requirement. It is gaining popularity in varied industries as it offers easy-to-use packaging models even for beverages. Companies focusing on expanding their business through innovative packaging styles are ascribed to boost the growth rate of the market. Wraps can be used to neatly pack fruits and vegetables so that they do not retain their freshness for a long time. The emergence of online shopping, where the demand to order groceries, fruits, vegetables, and others simply through applications in a smartphone that delivers to the doorstep, is, respectively, elevating the growth rate of the flexible packaging market.

By Material Insights

Growing awareness of keeping the environment clean and safe by using paper material for packaging substantially elevates the growth rate of the market. The Bioplastics segment is gaining more traction in terms of sharing with the government initiatives to launch stringent actions over the restrictions on the usage of non-recyclable plastics to protect the environment, which is a major factor for the growth rate of the bioplastics flexible packaging market. Bioplastics are made from biodegradable products that can be recycled without releasing any toxic gases that harm the environment. This factor is primarily prompting the growth rate of this segment to the extent.  E-commerce platform companies are more likely to adopt paper material for packaging in order to follow high standards in eliminating carbon footprints, which attracts many consumers all over the world and is a step towards the adoption of flexible packaging. 

By Printing Technology Insights

The flexography segment is ruling with the largest market share, whereas the digital printing segment is likely to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Printing on the packaged products plays a vital role in providing information about the products and other major aspects required for the consumers. Flexography is one of the common methods used to print flexible packaging in a very short amount of time. This technology takes very little time to print in high volume in accordance with the company's design. Few companies choose customized themes to print on their products to gain the attention of the customers and to promote their brand in a unique way. In general, a JPG or PDF file is transferred directly to the printer to print the same on the packaging materials. This will promote the company's brand in a more significant way. 

By Application Insights

The healthcare segment is leading with the dominant share of the market, with rising incidences of people seeking medical treatment for various issues. Packaging plays a prominent role in healthcare, where the drug must have an extended shelf life with an efficient packaging style. The packaging material should be very low in weight, which helps in eliminating the problems while transporting the drugs in bulk amounts. The food and beverages segment is next in ruling the market's growth rate. The rising need for proper packaging in food and beverages to follow the standards imposed by the government authorities is enhancing the growth rate of this segment. 

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The North American flexible packaging market accounted for the highest share in the past few years and is expected to continue the same growth rate throughout the forecast period. High expenditure on health and wellness among people by carefully purchasing products that follow government regulations. Few companies follow government regulations by clearly printing all the essential information for the customers who choose wisely to purchase products, especially in food and beverages. Health-conscious people make decisions when purchasing food and beverages simply by looking over the information on the packaging, which is highly important for companies to follow. Therefore, the demand for innovative packaging styles with effective materials such as bioplastics, paper, and others is increasing, which is likely to surge the growth rate of the flexible packaging market in North America. 

 In February 2024, the European Commission announced its strategy to completely slash its net greenhouse gas pollution by 90% by 2040. Europe is next to North America in leading the dominant share of the market with the increasing investments from the government. Stringent rules by the government to completely reduce the greenhouse effect are elevating the growth rate of the market in Europe. EU is already stepping towards its innovative strategy to become the world's number one climate-neutral continent. This strategy is closely inclined to adopt necessary changes in packaging materials by the companies that are ascribed to gear up Europe's flexible packaging market growth rate. 

Asia Pacific is deemed to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. India and China are the major countries contributing the highest share of the market. The rising economy and, eventually, the growing population are the two primary factors that will help the market grow in these countries. Aspects of promoting high-quality healthcare and food & beverages products through proper packing material and reducing carbon emissions are likely to fuel the growth rate of the market in Asia Pacific. 

Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to show slight growth opportunities for  flexible packaging market during the forecast period 2024 to 2032. 

KEY MARKET PLAYERS

Companies playing a key role in the global flexible packaging market include Amcor Limited, Bemis Company Inc., Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, Sealed Air Corporation, Huhtamäki Oyj, Coveris Holdings S.A, Sonoco Products Company, Berry Plastics Group Inc, Mondi Group, Reynolds Group Holdings and others.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE GLOBAL MARKET

• In 2023, Amcor Limited announced the deal to acquire Phoenix Flexibles. This acquisition aims to offer highly sustainable packaging in India which is one of the leading countries for the flexible packaging market growth. This deal shall expand both companies' production capacity by offering flexible packaging solutions for the homecare, food, and personal care sectors. 

• In March 2024, Bemis Company Inc. acquired Alcan Packaging Food Americas with a deal of $1.2 billion. Bemis Company Inc. is effective in producing high-quality flexible packaging for the food and beverages industry, where this acquisition is settled to complement manufacturing capabilities and technological expertise around the world.

MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report on the global flexible packaging market is segmented and sub-segmented based on service type, gender, service provider, and region.

By Type

• Stand-Up Pouches
• Flat Pouches
• Gusseted Bags
• Wicketed Bags
• Wraps
• Rollstock

By Material

• Plastic Films
• Paper
• Aluminum Foil
• Bioplastics

By Printing Technology

• Flexography
• Rotogravure
• Digital Printing
• Other Printing Technologies

By Application

• Promote
• Food and Beverages
• Healthcare
• Cosmetics & Toiletries
• Other Applications

By Region

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa