The Packaging Market Report is Segmented by Packaging Type (Plastic Packaging, Paper Packaging, Container Glass, Metal Cans and Containers), Packaging Format (Rigid, Flexible), End-Use Industry (Food, Beverage, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Industrial, E-Commerce), and Geography (North America, South America, Europe, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

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Packaging Market Size 2025-2029

The packaging market size is valued to increase USD 297.6 billion, at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2024 to 2029. Growth of food delivery and takeaway services will drive the packaging market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 41% growth during the forecast period.
By Type - Board segment was valued at USD 339.40 billion in 2023
By End-user - Food segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 48.42 billion
Market Future Opportunities: USD 297.60 billion
CAGR : 4.6%
APAC: Largest market in 2023

Market Summary

The market encompasses a dynamic and continually evolving industry, driven by advancements in core technologies and applications. Notably, the rise of food delivery and takeaway services has significantly boosted the demand for sustainable and efficient packaging solutions, accounting for over 20% of the global market share. companies are adopting strategies such as biodegradable materials, innovative designs, and improved logistics to cater to this growing sector. However, challenges persist, including the high cost of recycling rigid plastic products and stringent regulations.
For instance, the European Union's Single Use Plastics Directive, which bans certain single-use plastic items as of 2021, has put pressure on manufacturers to innovate and adapt. As the market continues to unfold, stakeholders must navigate these complexities and seize opportunities for growth.

What will be the Size of the Packaging Market during the forecast period?

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How is the Packaging Market Segmented and what are the key trends of market segmentation?

The packaging industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Board
  Rigid plastic
  Flexible
  Metal
  Glass


End-user

  Food
  Beverage
  Healthcare
  Personal care
  Others


Technology

  Offset
  Flexography
  Screen
  Gravure
  Digital


Material

  Plastic
  Paper & Paperboard
  Metal
  Glass
  Wood
  Others


Packaging Type

  Primary Packaging
  Secondary Packaging
  Tertiary Packaging


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    South Africa
    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The board segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

In the dynamic the market, various trends are shaping its evolution. Tamper-evident packaging, ensuring product safety, is gaining traction with a 15.2% market share in 2021. Biodegradable packaging materials, a sustainable alternative, are expected to occupy 20.5% of the market by 2026. Shelf-life extension packaging, crucial for perishable goods, is projected to expand by 18.7% in the same period. Logistics packaging design, focusing on optimizing transportation and storage, is a growing concern, accounting for 12.4% of the market in 2021. Packaging cost optimization, a key business strategy, is expected to increase by 16.9% in future industry expectations. RFID packaging integration, enabling real-time tracking, is poised to capture 9.8% of the market share by 2026.

Consumer packaging preferences, driven by convenience and aesthetics, are influencing market trends. Labeling and decoration, essential for branding, is a significant market segment, accounting for 17.6% in 2021. Modified atmosphere packaging, extending product life, is projected to grow by 14.5% in the upcoming years. Automated packaging systems, enhancing efficiency, are expected to expand by 13.3%, while active packaging systems, offering product preservation, are projected to capture 11.2% of the market share by 2026. Supply chain optimization, crucial for reducing costs and enhancing delivery, is anticipated to increase by 12.1%. Packaging waste recycling, a crucial sustainability concern, is projected to grow by 19.1% in future industry expectations.

Packaging testing methods, ensuring product quality, are expected to expand by 17.8%. Sustainable packaging materials, addressing environmental concerns, are poised to capture 21.5% of the market share by 2026. Protective packaging solutions, crucial for product safety, are anticipated to increase by 16.6%. Smart packaging technology, offering real-time information, is projected to grow by 11.9%. Barrier properties packaging, essential for preserving product integrity, is expected to capture 13.7% of the market share by 2026. Packaging line efficiency, crucial for reducing dow

In 2024, the global packaging market was valued at **** trillion U.S. dollars. It is forecast to grow to a market size of **** trillion U.S. dollars by 2034, with an increase of **** percent CAGR between 2024 and 2034.

The protective packaging market expands from USD 30.1 billion in 2025 to USD 47.6 billion in 2035 at a CAGR of 4.7%. Early-phase expansion is moderate, reaching USD 31.5 billion in 2026 and USD 33 billion in 2027, driven by increased e-commerce logistics and protective needs in the electronics and food sectors.

Top Countries Manufacturing, Adopting, And Distributing Protective Packaging Formats Across Consumer and Industrial Applications

The flexible plastic packaging industry is set for a decade-long expansion, growing from USD 267.5 billion in 2025 to USD 398.7 billion by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 4%.

The Food Packaging Market Report is Segmented by Material Type (Plastics, Paper, Metal, Glass), Format (Rigid, Flexible), Product Type (Cans, Bottles, and More), Technology (MAP, Vacuum, Hot-Fill, and More), Distribution Channel (Direct, Indirect), Application (Dairy, Meat, Produce, Bakery, Seafood, Ready Meals, Frozen), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, MEA, South America). Market Forecasts in Value (USD).

In 2023, the total shipment value of the Japanese packaging industry was worth around **** trillion Japanese yen. The market value of the packaging industry increased slightly compared to around **** trillion yen in the previous year.

The total market value of packaging materials worldwide reached nearly *** billion U.S. dollars in 2022. It is forecast that this global market value will increase considerably, reaching approximately **** trillion U.S. dollars by 2030 across all regions. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead the market, with a contribution of roughly *** billion U.S. dollars in 2022 and an estimated *** billion U.S. dollars in 2030.Additional information on the packaging materials market can be found here.

The global paper packaging market is projected to grow from USD 41.5 billion in 2025 to USD 62.1 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 4.1% over the forecast period. Sales in 2024 were recorded at USD 39.8 billion.

Country-wise Outlook

global packaging market size was worth $1240.00 billion in 2024 and is grow to $1690.00 billion by 2034 a CAGR of 3.16% between 2025 and 2034.

The next generation packaging market is set to grow from USD 14.5 billion in 2025 to USD 27 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period.

Top Countries Designing, Engineering, Distributing, and Implementing Next Generation Packaging

The Plant Based Packaging Market is estimated to be valued at USD 10.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 19.9 billion by 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% over the forecast period.

The food packaging market is projected to grow from USD 391.5 billion in 2025 to USD 661.2 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. Sales in 2024 reached USD 371.7 billion, indicating a steady demand trajectory.

Country-wise Outlook

The Retail E-Commerce Packaging Market is estimated to be valued at USD 19.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 30.9 billion by 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% over the forecast period.

The contract packaging market is gaining traction as companies prioritize outsourcing to focus on their core competencies. This USD 42.1 billion industry (2020) is expected to expand to USD 51.1 billion by 2025 and reach a staggering USD 84 billion by 2035.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Plastic Packaging market size will be USD 4,18,520.0 million in 2025. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.80% from 2025 to 2033.

North America held the major market share for more than 29% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 121370.80 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3% from 2025 to 2033.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 24% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 100444.80 million.
APAC held a market share of around 37% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 154852.40 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% from 2025 to 2033.
South America has a market share of more than 3.8% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 15903.76 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% from 2025 to 2033.
Middle East had a market share of around 4% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 16740.80 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2025 to 2033.
Africa had a market share of around 2.2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 9207.44 million in 2025 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% from 2025 to 2033.
Polypropylene is the fastest growing segment of the Plastic Packaging industry

Market Dynamics of Plastic Packaging Market

Key Drivers for Plastic Packaging Market

Increasing demand for convenience products Is Expected To Boost Market Growth: The increasing demand for convenience products is a key driving factor for the plastic packaging market. As lifestyles become busier and consumers seek more time-efficient solutions, convenience products such as ready-to-eat meals, pre-packaged snacks, single-serve beverages, and personal care items are experiencing significant growth. These products cater to the need for quick, easy, and portable options, aligning with modern consumer habits. Plastic packaging plays a crucial role in meeting this demand due to its lightweight, durable, and flexible nature. It allows for the safe, hygienic, and efficient packaging of convenience goods, extending shelf life and ensuring product integrity during transportation and storage.

Innovation in packaging materials To Boost Market Growth: Innovation in packaging materials is another key driving factor for the plastic packaging market. With growing concerns over environmental sustainability and the increasing need for more efficient packaging solutions, manufacturers are focusing on developing new materials that offer improved performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits. These innovations include the development of biodegradable plastics, plant-based alternatives, and more advanced forms of recyclable plastics, which are helping to meet both consumer demand and regulatory pressures.

Restraint Factor for the Plastic Packaging Market

High cost of eco-friendly alternatives, Will Limit Market Growth: The high cost of eco-friendly alternatives is a significant restraint on the growth of the plastic packaging market. While there is an increasing demand for sustainable and biodegradable packaging materials due to environmental concerns, the production costs of these materials often remain higher than conventional plastics. Eco-friendly alternatives, such as bioplastics, are typically more expensive to manufacture due to factors like raw material costs, limited economies of scale, and more complex production processes. These higher costs make it challenging for many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to transition to sustainable packaging solutions.

Market Trends in Plastic Packaging Market

Adoption of biodegradable plastics: The adoption of biodegradable plastics is gaining significant momentum within the plastic packaging market as environmental concerns continue to rise. Biodegradable plastics, made from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugarcane, or algae, offer a promising alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. As consumers and governments alike push for more sustainable solutions, businesses in the plastic packaging industry are increasingly investing in biodegradable materials. The food and beverage sector, in particular, is leading the charge, as companies look for packaging options ...

The market value of flexible packaging globally is forecast to reach over *** billion U.S. dollars in 2032. As of 2022, the flexible packaging market value stood at nearly *** billion U.S. dollars worldwide. Flexible packaging refers to any type of package or container that is made from flexible materials such as plastic, paper, tinfoil, and so on.

The multilayer flexible packaging market is projected to grow from USD 45.2 billion in 2025 to USD 72.9 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 4.9%.

The global industrial packaging market size reached USD 64.0 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 84.7 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% during 2025-2033. The growing industrial activities, continuous technological improvements in industrial packaging, increasing trade and globalization, rising need for regulatory compliance and safety norms, and focus on sustainability worldwide are some of the factors impelling the market growth.

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product, material, and application.

The packaging market size is projected to grow from $1.21 trillion in 2024 to $1.8 trillion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period 2024-2035