Packaging Film Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 108.63 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 135.75 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 4.56% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | South America |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Packaging Film Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The packaging film market size stood at USD 108.63 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 135.75 billion by 2030, translating into a 4.56% CAGR across the period. Heightened demand for lightweight e-commerce shipping materials, stricter European recyclability rules, and rapid cold-chain expansion in emerging Asia-Pacific economies sustain steady momentum. Multilayer barrier innovations, antimicrobial masterbatches, and chemical-recycling feedstock agreements underpin premium growth niches, while strategic mergers accentuate scale advantages among the top global converters.
Key Report Takeaways
- By material type, polyethylene held 42.45% of the packaging film market share in 2024, while bioplastics are projected to expand at a 7.84% CAGR through 2030.
- By film structure, multilayer formats commanded 56.68% revenue in 2024 and barrier multilayer stacks are expected to grow at 6.23% CAGR to 2030.
- By application, food and beverage accounted for 51.43% of the packaging film market size in 2024; pharmaceutical and medical uses show the fastest 8.54% CAGR to 2030.
- By end-use format, bags and pouches commanded 48.54% revenue in 2024, and shrink and stretch wrap are expected to grow at 7.64% CAGR to 2030.
- By geography, Asia-Pacific led with 37.32% share of the packaging film market size in 2024, whereas South America is advancing at a 7.72% CAGR through 2030.
Global Packaging Film Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce boom driving demand for lightweight shipping films | +1.2% | North America and Europe | Short term (≤2 years) |
| EU push for mono-material recyclable films | +0.9% | Europe with spillover to North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Cold-chain packaged food growth in emerging APAC | +0.8% | Asia-Pacific and Middle East Africa | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Digital printing enabling short-run personalised packs | +0.6% | Global early adoption in developed markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Antimicrobial additive masterbatches for meat films | +0.4% | Global food-safety focus | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Chemical-recycling feedstock deals for food-grade rPE | +0.3% | North America and EU expanding to APAC | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
E-commerce Boom Driving Demand for Lightweight Shipping Films
Parcel-volume growth pushes brands to down-gauge shipping packs, trimming dimensional weight by up to 30% while preserving drop resistance. [1]Verpa Folie, “E-Commerce & Return Packaging Films,” verpa.de PAC Worldwide’s Eco PAC jacket system automates mailer conversion and reduces labor at fulfillment centers, aligning cost efficiency with recyclability goals. Dual-seal courier bags support reverse-logistics programs that are integral to customer loyalty. Short-run graphics tap digital presses for thematic promotions that strengthen brand engagement and circumvent high plate charges. These factors collectively reinforce the packaging film market as a core beneficiary of global retail digitization.
EU Push for Mono-Material Recyclable Films
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation obligates 30% recycled content in plastic food packs by 2030 and requires full recyclability, accelerating the shift toward polyolefin-only laminates. [2]European Union, “Regulation 2025/40,” europa.euMopack’s certified structures with 80% rPE validate commercial readiness, while converters install de-inking and wash systems to secure compliance. Extended Producer Responsibility fees become a material cost lever that favors designs enabling closed-loop recovery. As compliance deadlines approach, the packaging film market adopts standardized design rules that harmonize performance with recyclability.
Cold-Chain Packaged Food Growth in Emerging Asia-Pacific
Rising middle-class demand for chilled protein, dairy, and ready meals fuels investment in refrigerated logistics networks across Southeast Asia. EVOH-based multilayer films deliver the oxygen-barrier performance required for extended shelf life, and Thailand’s draft TIS 1027-25XX standard formalizes regional specifications. Indonesia’s proposed food-contact regulation introduces migration testing that compels formulators to use low-MOS inks and compliant additives. With local extrusion capacity expanding, Asia-Pacific retains its status as the volume anchor of the packaging film market.
Digital Printing Enabling Short-Run Personalised Packs
Hybrid presses combining flexographic and digital heads at 150 m min allow SKU changes without cylinder swaps, curbing waste and supporting late-stage customization. Water-based pigment sets satisfy direct-food-contact rules, while QR-code campaigns and unique pack IDs foster interactive experiences that differentiate products on crowded shelves. Equipment amortization periods shorten as converters monetize variable-data services for seasonal and event-driven promotions, further energizing the packaging film market.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic bans and taxes in North America and Europe | −0.8% | North America and Europe | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Volatile virgin-resin prices | −0.6% | Global | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Barrier limits of bio-based films | −0.4% | Global | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Converter downtime from ultra-thin gauges | −0.3% | Global high-volume lines | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Plastic Bans/Taxes in North America and Europe
Single-use levies and PFAS prohibitions force rapid specification overhaul, stretching R&D budgets at mid-sized plants and lengthening customer qualification cycles. Fragmented policy rollouts complicate inventory planning as brands juggle differing regional cutoffs for legacy laminates.
Volatile Virgin-Resin Prices
LDPE price swings of 100-200 yuan per ton in early 2024 disrupted quarterly contracts and compressed margins. [3]Evergreen Chemicals, “Resin Price Index,” evergreenchemicals.cn Aluminum price hikes propelled surgical-drape buyers toward metallized PE films, saving USD 436,750 annually but requiring costly revalidation. Such volatility sustains converter interest in rPE blends as a hedge.
Segment Analysis
By Material Type: Polyethylene Dominance Coupled with Bioplastic Momentum
Polyethylene preserves 42.45% share of the packaging film market in 2024, riding its favorable price-performance profile and broad processability. High-density grades serve semi-rigid uses while LDPE and LLDPE underpin the bulk of blown-film applications. Bioplastics post a robust 7.84% CAGR through 2030 as policy signals and brand pledges intensify. The packaging film market size for bioplastic variants is projected to reach multi-billion USD territory by decade-end, provided feedstock scaling continues apace. Polypropylene’s biaxially oriented formats compete on clarity and stiffness for premium confectionery. PET layers ensure dimensional stability in retort applications, often coupled with aluminum-oxide coatings for a high gas barrier. Chemical-recycling advances promise closed-loop PE that matches virgin properties, with titanosilicate catalysis now at pilot scale. Block-copolymerized PLA breakthroughs cut brittleness, offering an 80% bio-based alternative for fresh-produce pouches.
Polyethylene converters invest in metallocene catalysts that upgrade seal-through-contamination performance, an essential trait for high-speed form-fill-seal lines. The packaging film market thus balances cost efficiency against sustainability pulls, with incumbents safeguarding volume while specialty biopolymers address regulatory requirements and consumer preference shifts.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Film Structure: Multilayer Leadership with Accelerating High-Barrier Adoption
Multilayer constructions controlled 56.68% revenue in 2024 by optimizing mechanical, optical and barrier attributes through layer-specific functionality. Barrier stacks incorporating EVOH or AlOx layers are on course for 6.23% CAGR as pharma logistics and ready-meal sectors require longer shelf life. Monolayer films retain relevance where recovery streams demand simpler chemistries, notably for store drop-off recycling in North America.
Co-extruders add inline orientation units to produce machine-direction oriented PE laminates that satisfy recyclability while keeping puncture resistance. Nanoclay dispersions cut oxygen transmission by 60% at equivalent calipers, paving the way for further down-gauging. Layer-thickness scanners improve profile accuracy and minimize start-up scrap, delivering yield gains that feed directly into bottom-line improvement for participants within the packaging film market.
By Application: Food Retains Scale as Healthcare Surges
Food and beverage accounted for 51.43% of the packaging film market revenue in 2024, driven by the snack-on-the-go culture and resealable convenience. Pharmaceutical and medical packs achieve the highest 8.54% CAGR to 2030, buoyed by antimicrobial webs and stringent sterility mandates. Personal-care sachets grow steadily via e-commerce sample kits, and electronics films integrate antistatic layers to protect sensitive components.
Retailers seek shelf-life extension to lower shrink, leveraging antimicrobial chitosan Schiff-base formulations that deliver four-day microbial suppression in chilled lamb. Healthcare blisters transition from foil-PVC to PET-SiOx-PE laminates that pass USP <661>, reducing pack weight by 40%. These dynamics reinforce the packaging film market as a critical enabler of product safety and waste mitigation.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By End-Use Format: Traditional Bags Meet High-Growth Stretch and Stand-Up Pouches
Bags and pouches retained 48.54% revenue in 2024 but stretch and shrink wraps advance at 7.64% CAGR on warehouse automation and pallet stability requirements. Courier sacks include dual-tamper strips to facilitate returns, while stand-up pouches integrate laser-scored easy-tear tops for convenience. Valve pouches for degassing coffee eliminate separate vent components, simplifying assembly. Pre-stretched machine films cut wrap usage up to 50%, reducing cost and carbon footprint, thereby reinforcing the packaging film market importance in supply-chain optimization.
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific sustained 37.32% share of the packaging film market in 2024, underpinned by abundant resin supply, competitive labor, and a vast consumer base. China’s GB/T 31268-2024 rule on excessive packaging triggers demand for ultra-light pouches that meet parcel weight caps. Thailand and Indonesia implement harmonized food-contact controls that standardize test protocols and elevate local extrusion sophistication. Indian players such as JPFL Films add 60,000 tpa BOPP capacity to capture domestic and export opportunities. Japan and South Korea champion barrier-coating R&D, while Australia emphasizes post-consumer recycling content.
Europe faces transformative investment cycles to satisfy PPWR recyclability and recycled-content thresholds. Constantia Flexibles’ acquisition of Aluflexpack consolidates foil competencies and bolsters Southeast-European footholds. Brands introduce QR-coded disposal instructions to guide consumers and to enhance collection purity. The UK and Germany pilot chemical-recycling drop-offs, driving rPE integration.
North America leverages mature e-commerce networks and rolling policy clarity. PFAS withdrawal deadlines steer converters toward metallized BOPP and AlOx PET, while Canada capitalizes on feedstock cost advantages to remain a major exporter. Mexican facilities supply both domestic snack markets and southern U.S. value chains.
South America records the fastest 7.72% CAGR through 2030, propelled by agricultural exports that require high-barrier films. Investments by OPP FILM COLOMBIA and GDM Plásticos expand BOPP and CPP footprints, while regional funding bodies support eco-design labs. The momentum positions the region as the new growth frontier in the packaging film market.
Middle East and Africa post solid double-digit volume gains fostered by urban retail expansion. Saudi Arabia and the UAE introduce mandates for recyclable plastics that guide procurement choices, and South Africa’s established converters serve the broader continent with cost-optimized offerings.
Competitive Landscape
Industry consolidation accelerates as leading converters seek geographic reach and synergy extraction. Amcor’s USD 8.6 billion acquisition of Berry Global creates a vertically integrated powerhouse targeting USD 650 million annual savings by 2028. TOPPAN Holdings’ USD 1.8 billion purchase of Sonoco’s Thermoformed and Flexible Packaging division grants access to North and South American customers and adds paper-based technology to its portfolio.
Innovation centers on digital hybrids, compostable biopolymers, and chemical-recycling alliances that guarantee food-grade rPE supply. Nestlé patents metallized paper laminates with foil-like barrier, underscoring brand drive for recyclable alternatives. Mid-tier specialists secure niches via antifog leafy-greens pouches or high-clarity vac-skin films. Private-equity backed groups such as Novolex merge foodservice and retail portfolios to improve resin procurement leverage.
Start-ups push nanobarrier solutions and smart sensors that detect spoilage through color shifts, attracting climate-tech venture funding. Despite rising concentration, regional champions maintain relevance through local service and quick-turn print capacity, preserving competitive diversity within the packaging film market.
Packaging Film Industry Leaders
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AEP Industries Inc.
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Novolex
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Amcor PLC (Bemis Company Inc.)
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RKW SE
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Dupont Teijin Films
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- April 2025: Amcor completed the USD 8.6 billion Berry Global acquisition, targeting USD 650 million annual synergies by fiscal 2028.
- December 2024: TOPPAN Holdings agreed to buy Sonoco’s Thermoformed and Flexible Packaging business for USD 1.8 billion, closing first half 2025.
- October 2024: Novolex announced a USD 6.7 billion acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen, combining 56 plants and 250 brands.
- August 2024: JPFL Films invested INR 250 crore (USD 29.7 million) in a 60 000 tpa BOPP line in Nashik, India.
Global Packaging Film Market Report Scope
Plastic film is a continuous sheet of thin polymer material. "Sheet" is a common term for thicker plastic material. These delicate plastic membranes are employed as barriers, to retain objects, to divide spaces or volumes, and as printable surfaces.
The study presents the current status and prospects of the packaging film market. The market tracks the key parameters, underlying growth influencers, and major vendors operating in the industry, which supports the market estimations and growth rates over the forecast period. The market size reflects the value of packaging film consumption across studied applications and is computed in real terms (USD million). The impact of COVID-19 is also considered for current market estimation and future growth projections.
The Packaging Film Market is Segmented by Type of Material (Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyester, PVC), Application (Food and Beverage Packaging, Medical and Pharmaceutical Packaging, Consumer Products Packaging, Industrial Packaging), and Geography. The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD million) for all the above segments.
| Polyethylene | High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) |
| Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) | |
| Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) | |
| Polypropylene | |
| Polyester (BOPET) | |
| Bioplastics | |
| Other Material Types |
| Monolayer |
| Multilayer (2-3 layers) |
| Barrier multilayer (More than 3 layers) |
| Food and Beverage |
| Pharmaceutical and Medical |
| Personal Care and Cosmetics |
| Consumer Durables and Electronics |
| Industrial and Institutional |
| Agriculture and Horticulture |
| Other Application |
| Bags and Pouches |
| Wraps and Lidding Films |
| Labels and Sleeves |
| Blister and Sachets |
| Shrink and Stretch Wrap |
| North America | United States | |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Argentina | ||
| Chile | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Europe | Germany | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Italy | ||
| Spain | ||
| Netherlands | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Asia-Pacific | China | |
| Japan | ||
| India | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Australia | ||
| Singapore | ||
| Malaysia | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia |
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| Turkey | ||
| Rest of Middle East | ||
| Africa | South Africa | |
| Nigeria | ||
| Egypt | ||
| Rest of Africa | ||
| By Material Type | Polyethylene | High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | |
| Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) | |||
| Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) | |||
| Polypropylene | |||
| Polyester (BOPET) | |||
| Bioplastics | |||
| Other Material Types | |||
| By Film Structure | Monolayer | ||
| Multilayer (2-3 layers) | |||
| Barrier multilayer (More than 3 layers) | |||
| By Application | Food and Beverage | ||
| Pharmaceutical and Medical | |||
| Personal Care and Cosmetics | |||
| Consumer Durables and Electronics | |||
| Industrial and Institutional | |||
| Agriculture and Horticulture | |||
| Other Application | |||
| By End-Use Format | Bags and Pouches | ||
| Wraps and Lidding Films | |||
| Labels and Sleeves | |||
| Blister and Sachets | |||
| Shrink and Stretch Wrap | |||
| By Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Chile | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Spain | |||
| Netherlands | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| Japan | |||
| India | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Australia | |||
| Singapore | |||
| Malaysia | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | |
| United Arab Emirates | |||
| Turkey | |||
| Rest of Middle East | |||
| Africa | South Africa | ||
| Nigeria | |||
| Egypt | |||
| Rest of Africa | |||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What value will the packaging film market reach by 2030?
The sector is projected to attain USD 135.75 billion by 2030.
Which region will register the highest growth pace through 2030?
South America is forecast to grow at a 7.72% CAGR on rising agricultural export packaging.
Which material currently dominates packaged film output?
Polyethylene leads with 42.45% global share in 2024.
What regulatory change is shaping mono-material adoption in Europe?
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation mandates 30% recycled content and universal recyclability by 2030.
Why are multilayer films important for chilled foods?
They provide high oxygen and moisture barriers that extend shelf life across cold-chain logistics.
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