Packaging Market Size

Packaging Market Analysis

The Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 1.14 trillion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.38 trillion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.89% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The global packaging business has experienced consistent growth over the last decade due to substrate choice changes, expansion of new markets, and changing ownership dynamics. Traditional packaging may continue to be replaced by flexible packaging, high-barrier films, and stand-up retort pouches may challenge rigid pack formats like metal tins and glass jars for a wide range of food products.

• With the rising consumption of sweets and confectionery, several flexible plastic packaging providers are offering packaging solutions, specifically catering to this demand, and are further driving their sales and revenues. For instance, according to the US Census Bureau, confectionery manufacturing industry revenue in the United States is expected to reach USD 10.89 billion by FY 2023.
• According to the Flexible Packaging Association, flexible packaging is mainly used for food, which accounts for more than 60% of the total market. Since it could incorporate new solutions for various packaging issues, the flexible packaging industry is experiencing robust growth. In addition, the Indian food and grocery market is the world's sixth-largest, according to IBEF, with retail accounting for 70% of sales. The Indian food processing industry, which contributes to 32% of the country's overall food market, ranks fifth in production, consumption, and export and is one of the country's most important industries.
• The sustainability trends, including recycling and using bio-degradable forms of PET, are expected to rise over the forecast period. In some regards, it will always face sustainability issues due to the nature of its production. However, the recycling streams and development will help neutralize such sustainability issues. For instance, the Coca-Cola European partners pledged to collect 100% of the packaging and use 50% recycled plastic in plastic PET bottles in Western Europe by 2025. PepsiCo aims to use 50% of recycled plastic in its bottles across the European region by 2030, with an interim target of around 45% by 2025. Also, various large food manufacturers are under pressure from campaigners and consumers and are currently on a mission to rethink their plastic packaging and move towards a circular economy. For instance, Nestle and Mondelez recently signed the European Plastics Pact. This initiative is committed to making 100% of packaging recyclable or reusable and reducing virgin plastic usage by 2025.
• Various companies focus on product innovations to hold a significant position in the studied market. For instance, in February 2021, Constantia Flexibles announced its new product, Perpetua, a recyclable, high-barrier, polymeric mono-material packaging solution for pharmaceutical products. According to the company, the solution has a wide range of pharmaceutical packaging applications and is now available worldwide.
• Various vendors have been focusing on expanding their market presence by constructing new production facilities for paper packaging. For instance, in December 2021, Promateris, a Romanian industrial packaging company, announced entering the paper packaging area in 2022 by building a production facility in the country. This project will be completed in 2023. Furthermore, in 2022, the firm expects to begin producing biodegradable and compostable raw materials based on corn starch, making it the first company to do so in Eastern Europe.
• However, on the other hand, the overall usage of non-recyclable, non-biodegradable plastic packaging solutions is expanding, resulting in increased carbon emissions in the environment. This might be a factor that could restrain the market growth. As a result, numerous large firms such as Amazon, Google, and Tetrapak, among others, are aiming toward net-zero carbon emissions, which is predicted to be their capital expenditure.
• During COVID-19, contactless delivery has also emerged as a new trend. Pioneers in sustainable packaging could adjust to these new standards, such as Garçon Wines, whose frictionless supply of letterbox- and climate-friendly flat wine bottles has witnessed a great demand. In addition, the rapid production of COVID-19 vaccines has also increased the need for glass containers or vials for storage purposes. By March 2021, Schott AG, a prominent German glass company, had produced enough vials for one billion COVID-19 vaccine doses, and it is on schedule to produce over two billion doses. According to the company, their borosilicate glass vials are used in roughly 90% of licensed vaccinations because they are resistant to shocks and temperature extremes.