Flexible Plastic Pouches Market: Introduction
- Flexible plastic pouches are single-use bags made of plastic. They are used to package everything from snack foods to industrial liquids and are commonly found on supermarket shelves across the globe.
- Flexible pouches have become extremely popular over the last few years for food packaging, as many of them are resalable, environmentally friendly, and cheaper than alternatives such as glass, metal, and cardboard containers
- Flexible plastic pouches are also used to package granola bars and energy drinks. Widespread adoption of flexible plastic pouches is linked to the fact that they have a much lower carbon footprint than the alternative packaging materials mentioned above and take up much less space in landfills.
Key Drivers and Restraints of Flexible Plastic Pouches Market
- Increase in demand for packaged food and beverages is expected to boost the global flexible plastic pouches market during the forecast period. In the food & beverages industry, flexible plastic pouches play a key role in securing the contents of packages. They are considered the materials of choice for packaging frozen foods, as they facilitate long-term storage. They are extensively used for packaging of various food & beverage products such as coffee, tea, confectioneries & chocolates, chilled food, baked goods & snacks, dried food & mixes, beverage & juices, and sauces & condiments. However, stringent regulations imposed on flexible plastic packaging is expected to hinder the market during the forecast period.
Flexible Plastic Pouches Market: Material Segment
- Based on material, the flexible plastic pouches market can be segmented into polyethylene, polypropylene, and others
- The polyethylene segment dominated the flexible plastic pouches market in 2020 due to its unique flow properties such as propensity to stretch when strained, low production cost, high clarity, heat seal ability, high elongation, and softness
- Polypropylene is projected to be a rapidly growing material segment of the global flexible plastic pouches market in the near future. This can be ascribed to its good resistance to almost all types of chemicals, including strong acids, alkalis, and most organic materials, and its high melting point, which makes it a superior material for boilable packages.
COVID-19 Impact on Global Flexible Plastic Pouches Market
- On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Originating in China, the virus has spread to at least 214 countries and territories around the world.
- Several governments and private sector businesses are operating at a limited capacity or have ceased operations completely due to recent events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic
- The COVID-19 pandemic has provided lucrative opportunities to the packaging sector. The use of tactile printing in the food & beverages sector is boosting the global flexible plastic pouches market.
- Demand for various flexible plastic pouches has increased during lockdowns. The pandemic has led to an increase in the usage of single-use plastic pouches. Consumer behavior has changed owing to safety concerns due to the pandemic. Consumers are increasingly preferring to buy packed food & beverages rather than visiting restaurants. The e-commerce industry has also been expanding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers are shopping online for products instead of buying from brick & mortar stores, which is preferred for the purchase of a small number of products or rapid fulfillment of the same.
- Consumers are buying one-time usable plastic pouches owing to hygiene issues. Rise in demand for FMCG products due to the pandemic can be ascribed to the growth in demand for flexible plastic pouches.
Asia Pacific to Hold Leading Share of Global Flexible Plastic Pouches Market
- In terms of region, the flexible plastic pouches market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa
- Asia Pacific is expected to hold major share of the global flexible plastic pouches market, followed by North America and Europe, during the forecast period
- Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global market due to the rise in demand for flexible plastic pouches in food & beverages, chemicals, cosmetics, and health and beauty industries, among others
- Increase in awareness about hygiene and changing lifestyle of consumers are leading to a rise in preference for contamination-free food. Rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization is also fueling the adoption of flexible plastic pouches in Asia Pacific. Growth of the market in Asia Pacific can also be ascribed to the increase in disposable income of people in countries such as China and India, rise in middle-class population, increase in demand for packaged food, and expansion of the food & beverages industry. Growth of the flexible plastic pouches market in Asia Pacific can also be ascribed to the higher consumer spending and manufacturing of packaging materials in developing economies in the region such as China and India.
- China is projected to be the fastest-growing market for flexible plastic pouches across the globe during the forecast period owing to the rise in population, high availability of packaging materials, and technological developments. This directly impacts the flexible plastic pouches market in Asia Pacific.
Key Manufacturers Operating in Global Flexible Plastic Pouches Market
The flexible plastic pouches market was consolidated in 2020. Major players have prominent presence in developed and developing countries. Key manufacturers operating in the flexible plastic pouches market include:
- Berry Global Inc.
- Mondi
- Huhtamaki
- Sealed Air Corp.
- Sonoco Products Company
- Smurfit Kappa
- Amcor Plc
- Gogllio SpA
- Constantia Flexibles
- ProAmpac
- Bemis Company, Inc.
Flexible Plastic Pouches Market: Research Scope
Flexible Plastic Pouches Market, by Material
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Others (PVC, EVOH, and Polyamide)
Flexible Plastic Pouches Market, by Type
- Flat Pouches
- Stand-up Pouches
Flexible Plastic Pouches Market, by Application
- Food & Beverages
- Personal Care & Homecare
- Health Care
- Others (Oil & Lubricants, Auto Glass Wipes, Agricultural Products, Lawn & Garden Products, and Paints)
Global Flexible Plastic Pouches Market, by Region
- North America
- Europe
- Germany
- U.K.
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Russia & CIS
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- ASEAN
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Rest of Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
- GCC
- South Africa
- Rest of Middle East & Africa
