Flexible packaging refers to lightweight and versatile materials that can easily change shape without breaking. It typically involves multiple layers of materials to ensure durability, product protection, and extended shelf life. This type of packaging is popular across various industries because of its cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and convenience.
The main products in flexible packaging include bags, pouches, roll stock, films, wraps, and others. Bags are flexible containers made from plastic, paper, or fabric, designed for carrying or storing items. The materials used in flexible packaging include plastics, paper, metal, and bioplastics, which are printed using techniques such as flexography, digital printing, and other methods. These products are used in a wide range of applications, including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, personal care, cosmetics, and more.
The flexible packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides flexible packaging market statistics, including the flexible packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a flexible packaging market share, detailed flexible packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the flexible packaging industry. This flexible packaging market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The flexible packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $287.27 billion in 2024 to $311.15 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to factors such as increasing food security concerns, a rise in e-commerce activities, higher disposable incomes, a growing consumption of food, and the increasing popularity of online purchasing.
The flexible packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $423.04 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0%. The projected growth for the forecast period is driven by factors such as the rising demand for enhanced convenience, the growing need to maintain environmental sustainability, increasing purchasing power, a heightened focus on sustainability, and a rise in the number of online food outlets. Key trends expected during this period include the development of 3D automated packaging solutions, the use of eco-friendly materials, strategic collaborations, new packaging innovations, and the adoption of smart packaging solutions.
The increasing number of online food outlets is expected to drive the growth of the flexible packaging market in the future. Online food outlets refer to digital platforms or services that enable customers to order food and beverages for delivery or pickup. The rise of these outlets is primarily due to the growing consumer preference for convenience and advancements in digital technology. With busy lifestyles, many people prefer ordering food online instead of cooking or dining out, as it saves time and offers a wide range of options. Flexible packaging plays a key role in helping online food outlets maintain food freshness, prevent spills, and offer cost-effective delivery solutions, all of which enhance customer satisfaction and brand reputation. For example, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, online ordering for cafes and bars increased slightly from 25.7% in 2021 to 25.9% in 2022. As a result, the growth of online food outlets is driving demand for flexible packaging.
Leading companies in the flexible packaging market are focusing on developing innovative, sustainable products, such as paper-based flexible packaging, to reduce plastic waste. Paper-based flexible packaging is made from lightweight, versatile paper materials, often combined with coatings or laminates to enhance durability, barrier protection, and heat sealability. For example, in April 2024, Parkside Flexible, a UK-based packaging company, introduced its Recoflex range of recyclable, paper-based flexible packaging. This range provides durability, barrier performance, and heat sealability for various applications and is available in both single-ply and laminated formats with multiple specifications.
In December 2024, Arkema S.A., a France-based manufacturer of specialty materials, acquired Dow's flexible packaging business for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is designed to strengthen Arkema's position in the flexible packaging market by enhancing its packaging solutions. Dow Inc., a US-based company, specializes in flexible packaging laminating adhesives.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the flexible packaging market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in flexible packaging report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the flexible packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The flexible packaging market consists of sales of sachets, liners, sleeves, blister packs, and shrink wraps. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and 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.
Flexible Packaging Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on flexible packaging market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for flexible packaging ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The flexible packaging market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Scope
Markets Covered:1) By Product: Bags; Pouches; Rollstock; Films And Wraps; Other Products
2) By Material: Plastics; Paper; Metal; Bioplastics
3) By Printing Technology: Flexography; Digital Printing; Other Printing Technologies
4) By Application: Food; Beverages; Pharmaceutical And Healthcare; Personal Care And Cosmetics; Other Applications
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Flexible Packaging Market Characteristics
3. Flexible Packaging Market Trends And Strategies
4. Flexible Packaging Market - Macro Economic Scenario Macro Economic Scenario Including The Impact Of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics And Covid And Recovery On The Market
5. Global Flexible Packaging Growth Analysis And Strategic Analysis Framework
5.1. Global Flexible Packaging PESTEL Analysis (Political, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal Factors, Drivers and Restraints)
5.2. Analysis Of End Use Industries
5.3. Global Flexible Packaging Market Growth Rate Analysis
5.4. Global Flexible Packaging Historic Market Size and Growth, 2019 - 2024, Value ($ Billion)
5.5. Global Flexible Packaging Forecast Market Size and Growth, 2024 - 2029, 2034F, Value ($ Billion)
5.6. Global Flexible Packaging Total Addressable Market (TAM)
6. Flexible Packaging Market Segmentation
6.1. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Segmentation By Product, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Bags
Pouches
Rollstock
Films And Wraps
Other Products
6.2. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Segmentation By Material, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Plastics
Paper
Metal
Bioplastics
6.3. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Segmentation By Printing Technology, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Flexography
Digital Printing
Other Printing Technologies
6.4. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Food
Beverages
Pharmaceutical And Healthcare
Personal Care And Cosmetics
Other Applications
6.5. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Bags, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Stand-Up Bags
Flat Bags
Gusseted Bags
Retort Bags
Vacuum Bags
6.6. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Pouches, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Stand-Up Pouches
Flat Pouches
Spouted Pouches
Zipper Pouches
Retort Pouches
6.7. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Rollstock, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Printed Rollstock
Unprinted Rollstock
Laminated Rollstock
High-Barrier Rollstock
6.8. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Films and Wraps, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Shrink Films
Stretch Films
Barrier Films
Biodegradable Films
Heat-Sealable Wraps
6.9. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Other Products, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Sachets
Lidding Films
Blister Packaging Films
Stick Packs
7. Flexible Packaging Market Regional And Country Analysis
7.1. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
7.2. Global Flexible Packaging Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion