Flexible Packaging Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The flexible packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.10%, reaching a market size of US$287.560 billion in 2029 from US$233.424 billion in 2024.

Any box or element of packaging whose structure can be changed easily is considered flexible packaging. It is used to safeguard the market products and distribute a wide range of items in consumer and industrial sectors. Lightweight bags or pouches are sealed using heat or pressure in flexible packaging. Flexible packaging is typically used to assist increase the shelf life of food products or meet other marketing trends like high-quality graphics.

An important factor in reducing waste food piling in rubbish dumps is extending the lifespan of poor-quality groceries. Once fungi infest them through air infiltration or wetness, they turn unhealthy for human consumption as well as demolishing their market value. Various factors determine how long food products can last including the type of material used for packaging, environmental circumstances and degree of interaction with elements like oxygen, light, dampness or microorganisms.

Flexible packaging’s plastic films are characterized by great barrier properties. The high barrier characteristics effectively protect sensitive foods against moisture, light and even oxygen. Moreover, flexible packaging provides resealable closure products that can be used for sealing bags or pouches ensuring that they remain fresh for several uses.

Flexible Packaging Market Drivers:

Preference for convenient products increasing demand for flexible packs.

Flexible plastic packaging uses fewer materials and effort to package; as a result, flexible packs are less expensive and take up 35% less retail storage space, making them more cost-effective than other types of packaging. Customers are increasingly ready to pay a higher price for unique product features made possible by flexible packaging. As per the Flexible Packaging Association, more than 60% of North American customers are willing to pay more for functional and tangible packaging benefits like product protection, transportation friendliness, and supply chain efficiency, among other things.

Rising adoption of mono materials to construct PE-based containers.

In October 2019, Borealis and Borouge collaborated on a series of innovative and entirely recyclable mono-material pouches for PE and PP-based materials. AR Packaging also announced the launch of Ecoflex in July 2021, a recyclable mono-polyethylene film for thermoforming solutions that, according to the company, provides a replacement for PA-based materials while completely satisfying OPRL criteria.

High demand for plastic as it offers secure packing and clear visibility of the goods.

Plastic has been employed as the most environmentally friendly packaging material in several industries, including food and beverage, medicines, cosmetics, tobacco products, and personal care. The growing adoption of plastics due to their distinct qualities such as adaptability, resilience, lightweight, highly economical, and can be used by all industries regardless of their scale and scope; ease of reuse and recyclability will drive the growth of the plastic packaging market.

Increased application in the food & beverage industry

Appropriate packaging makes it easier to successfully transport food and beverage products. Additionally, the growth of flexible packaging in the food & beverages industry is boosted by the increasing consumption of packed food in developing countries, and health and nutrition concerns are also rising. In addition, the growing usage of automated food processing plants necessitates employing advanced packaging methods for barrier-free packaging of finished goods, increasing market growth.

Increased consumer focus on convenience products

Changes in consumer preferences are among the pillars that are powering the rapid growth of the flexible packaging market. People want products that can easily be opened, stored, consumed and discarded on the go due to increased busy lifestyle practices and smaller households. This is why packaging for products congruent with modern-day lives is getting more popular by the day. Some of the advantages of packaging include the availability of different types of products for people who do not have time to sit still. This means that nowadays when we talk about convenient packaging, we are not only referring to food and drinks but also include medicine, cosmetics or even other health items aimed at keeping fit.

Flexible Packaging Market Restraint:

Recycling challenges with flexible packaging products

Flexible pouches and other products require numerous processes to separate, making recycling them labour-intensive and unprofitable. Packaging materials consist of multiple layers of films, such as plastic, foil, and paper. Blending different polymers is feasible, but this would require investment in technology and machinery. While rigid plastic products are allowed, the FDA does not permit recycled flexible packaging materials for food and pharmaceutical packaging.

Flexible Packaging Market Geographical Outlook

Asia Pacific is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period.

Factors such as sustainability, transparency, food safety, and food waste reduction influence flexible packing choices for meat, seafood, and poultry, among others, in the food industry, encouraging growth in the Asia Pacific region. Specifically, according to the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare Japan 2022, generics were estimated to account for approximately 15% of the Japanese prescription drug market. As a result, such developments are likely to contribute to market growth positively.

Flexible Packaging Market Developments:

• In May 2024, Amcor and AVON have come up combined with the launch of the AmPrima Plus refill pouch for AVON Little Black Dress classic shower gels within the borders of China. Recycling consumes less carbon footprint by 83% and water and renewable energy by 88% and 79% respectively. To this end, Amcor’s research and development teams worked together with AVON to make the first-ever refill pouch made of recyclable materials for the latter’s products in line with AVON’s 2030 objective that all its packaging would be made from 100% recyclable materials or could be composted or reused. The purpose of the AmPrima refill pouch was to provide consumers with convenience and more environmentally friendly option for packaging which competes well with those that cannot be recycled in terms of barrier properties, stiffness, graphic performance and run speeds.
• In October 2023, the very first compostable flexible packaging from India came from the manufacturer of compostable packaging solutions, formerly Yash Pakka Limited, now Pakka Limited. This step was made possible through collaboration with Brawny Bear, a renowned nutrition company producing healthy products from dates.
• In April 2022, Mondi and French machinery fabricator Thimonnier made a reusable container that minimizes the plastic pollution impact. New empty refill packaging for liquid has been crafted. The liquid dispensing bag is made from a coextruded polyethylene material, a recyclable monomaterial. This product has over 75% reduced plastic content compared to rigid bottle weight and is lightweight, too. The multilayer PVC refill containers that are currently the industry standard but cannot be recycled can be replaced with the refill solution.

Flexible Packaging Key Market Segmentation:

The Flexible Packaging Market is segmented and analyzed as below:

By Type

• Pouch
• Bags
• Film
• Others

By Material

• Plastic
• Paper
• Aluminum

By End-User

• Food & Beverage
• Personal care
• Pharmaceutical
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Italy
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Taiwan
• Others