Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Polyethylene, Polyamine, PVC), By Type (Flat Pouches, Stand-Up Pouches), By Application, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global flexible plastic packaging market size was estimated at USD 131.24 billion in 2017. Surging demand for flexible plastics in pharmaceutical packaging, owing to increasing health awareness among consumers and burgeoning popularity of convenient packaging, is one of the key trends stimulating market growth.

In the food & beverage industry, flexible plastic packaging plays a key role in securing the contents of packages. It is considered as a material of choice for packaging frozen foods to facilitate long-term storage. It is extensively used for packaging of various food & beverage products such as coffee, tea, confectionery & chocolate, chilled food, baked goods & snacks, dried food & mixes, beverage & juices, and sauces & condiments. Increasing investments from key market participants in R&D activities are likely to stoke the growth of the market. Key players have also been focusing on broadening their product portfolio.

Spiraling demand for flexible plastic packaging products such as stand-up pouches and flat pouches is providing a push to the market. Manufacturers of food and beverage products prefer stand-up pouches to differentiate their brands and gain a competitive advantage in the market. Stand up pouches have the flexibility of being tailored to offer unique designs, styles, and sizes.

Regulatory organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have implemented various regulations to govern the market. This regulatory body promulgated Effluent Guidelines and Standards of Organic Chemicals, Plastics, and Synthetic Fibers (OCPSF), which concern the discharge of plastic products. Restrictions on usage of the product are compelling market players to conform to regulatory guidelines set up by various bodies.

The product has garnered widespread popularity in healthcare applications. Usage of flexible plastic packaging ensures less space on displays or retail shelves. A trend that has gained significance in recent years is the growing popularity of see-through packaging. Emphasis on reviewing physical properties such as the color of food items and personal care products before purchase is encouraging the trend of see-through packaging, which is working in favor of the market.

Asia Pacific is poised to emerge as the most promising region during the forecast period. The demand for the product in the region is backed by the strong growth of the food & beverage, healthcare, and other industries. The market in the region is characterized by the presence of numerous large, medium, and small-scale players focusing on flexible packaging.

The presence of a large number of small- and medium-sized companies has led to a fragmented market environment. especially in the downstream segment. Major players use product differentiation as a key strategy to increase demand for their products in the market. Furthermore, strategies including economies of scale, pricing, enhanced quality of products, and extension of product portfolios, are giving major market players a competitive edge over small and medium-sized regional players operating in different regions of the world.

Material Insights

The polyethylene segment dominated the global market in 2017 and accounted for 26.4% of the overall revenue. Abundant availability of the material is bolstering the growth of the segment. The pliability of PE makes it an ideal material in packaging solutions. The material constitutes petroleum polymers and is considered as one of the most durable raw materials used in the packaging of products. It also demonstrates high chemical resistance and is inexpensive.

The industry is witnessing a significant demand for other materials such as polyamine and polypropylene. Polyamine is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment in terms of revenue during the forecast period, owing to its unique properties such as mechanical strength, high flexibility, and excellent oxygen barrier. PP is being increasingly employed in the food & beverage industry and is in huge demand in countries such as the U.S., China, and India. The growth of the PP segment can be attributed to the increasing popularity of plastic recycling in the aforementioned countries.

Type Insights

In terms of revenue, stand-up pouches were the most prominent type segment in the flexible plastic packaging market in 2017, with a share of 67.4%. These pouches are gaining widespread popularity owing to their convenience of storage. These pouches are being increasingly preferred by manufacturers of packaged beverages such as mineral water, milk, and soft drinks (non-carbonated).

On the other hand, flat pouches are poised to post the highest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. From a manufacturer’s standpoint, flat pouches cater to packaging requirements of samples in various industries, thereby offering them an opportunity to increase their scale of production. Availability of flat pouches in required colors aids companies in branding by allowing them to include information on these pouches.

Application Insights

Based on applications, the market has been segmented into healthcare, personal care, and food and beverages. By revenue, the healthcare segment dominated the industry in 2017. It is expected to retain its position through 2025 and represent a share of 32.5% of the market.

The healthcare segment accounted for the leading share in 2017, owing to substantial demand for products from countries such as China and India. Application of flexible packaging in healthcare caters to the basic requirements of offering protection to drugs. Other desired benefits of flexible packaging in healthcare applications include promoting product differentiation and enhancing the appeal of the overall package.

The industry has also witnessed significant innovations in the food & beverage segment. Recent developments in the packaging of food & beverage products include the employment of nano-coated technology. Use of this technology helps manufacturers to construct packaging with multi-layer barrier films that are clear. Such developments in packaging offer better protection to food & beverage products from contaminants.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2017. The growth of the market is supported by burgeoning demand for flexible packaging solutions coupled with rising disposable income. Apart from this, improving internet access and changing consumer preferences are estimated to spur the growth of the region. The region is likely to exhibit a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period, with countries such as China, India, and Japan as sights of high growth rates.

China is one of the key contributors to the growth of the regional market. Improving the Chinese economy is leading to increased production, exports and imports, and consumption of products such as food and beverages and medicines. In addition, there has been a shift in the economic structure of the country, from a production-based approach to a consumption-based approach, over the past few years.

Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Share Insights

The market is competitive in nature and both international and domestic players are important contributors in the global arena. Some of the key players are Amcor Limited, Sealed Air Corporation, ProAmpac, Sigma Plastics Group, Constantia Flexibles Group, Coveris Holding S.A., and Mondi plc.

Competition in the market is driven primarily by the extent of plastic packaging consumption across various regions such as Europe and Asia Pacific. The cost-effective nature of plastic as a packaging material is prompting players to increase their reach by extending their product portfolios.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global flexible plastic packaging market report based on material, type, application, and region:

• Material Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Polyethylene

  • Polypropylene

  • Polyamine

  • Polyvinyl chloride

  • Polystyrene

  • Others

• Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Stand-up Pouches

  • Flat Pouches

  • Rollstocks

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Food & Beverage

  • Healthcare

  • Personal Care

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

  • Europe

    • The U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia