Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Report 2026

The flexible plastic packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $180.16 billion in 2025 to $192.15 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of packaged food consumption, growth in retail and e-commerce packaging demand, increased use of plastic-based packaging materials, rising demand for extended shelf life solutions, expansion of consumer goods manufacturing.

The flexible plastic packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $247.91 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of recyclable flexible plastics, rising investments in sustainable packaging innovation, growing demand from pharma and healthcare packaging, expansion of digital printing technologies, increasing focus on material reduction and downgauging. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of lightweight flexible packaging formats, rising demand for high-barrier plastic films, growing use of custom printed flexible packaging, expansion of multi-layer packaging structures, enhanced focus on cost-efficient packaging solutions.

The rapid expansion of e-commerce is expected to drive the growth of the flexible plastic packaging market in the coming years. E-commerce involves the buying and selling of goods and services through online platforms. The e-commerce sector relies heavily on flexible plastic packaging to ensure efficient, lightweight, and secure delivery of products directly to consumers’ doorsteps, while also supporting a wide range of product categories. For example, in August 2023, according to the United States Census Bureau, a US-based government agency, e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 7.5% compared with the same period in 2022, while overall retail sales grew by 0.6%. Online sales accounted for 15.4% of total retail sales during the second quarter of 2023. Therefore, the continued growth of e-commerce is driving the expansion of the flexible plastic packaging market.

Companies operating in the flexible plastic packaging market are increasingly focusing on product innovation, such as the development of recyclable flexible films, to deliver more sustainable and reliable packaging solutions. Recyclable flexible films are designed for flexible packaging applications and help reduce plastic waste while maintaining performance and functionality. For instance, in May 2023, Ineos Group Limited, a UK-based chemicals company, introduced Recyclable Flexible Film. This ultra-thin yet rigid film is produced using more than 50% recycled plastic waste and serves as a low-carbon solution for transporting food and other goods. The film also helps extend food shelf life, offering benefits for both producers and consumers while supporting sustainability goals.

In June 2024, Coveris Holdings S.A., a Poland-based packaging manufacturing company, acquired HADEPOL FLEXO Sp. z o.o. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Coveris aimed to strengthen its flexible packaging capabilities and expand its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly enhancing its offerings for bakery and confectionery customers. HADEPOL FLEXO Sp. z o.o. is a Poland-based manufacturer specializing in flexible paper, plastic, and film-based packaging solutions for bakeries, supermarkets, and confectionery producers.

Major companies operating in the flexible plastic packaging market are Constantia Flexibles International GmbH, Amcor Ltd., Berry Global Inc., Clondalkin Group Holdings BV, ProAmpac Holdings Inc., Coveris Flexibles UK Ltd., Bemis Company Inc., Bischof + Klein SE & Co KG, Cosmo Films Ltd., C-P Flexible Packaging, Novolex Holdings LLC, Swisspac USA, Ultimate Packaging Pty Ltd., Mondi Group plc, Sonoco Products Company, Sealed Air Corporation, TC Transcontinental Inc., Huhtamaki Oyj, WestRock Company, DS Smith plc, Uflex Ltd., Winpak Ltd., Glenroy Inc., Printpack Inc., Schur Flexibles Group, Huhtamaki PPL Ltd., Novolex Holdings Inc., InterFlex Group Europe Ltd., American Packaging Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the flexible plastic packaging market in 2025. The regions covered in the flexible plastic packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the flexible plastic packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The flexible plastic packaging market includes revenues earned by entities from different products such as snacks, beverages, vegetables, and others and includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride.The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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