This study examines the US market for hot fill food packaging, defined as primary and secondary packaging materials that are sterilized via hot filling and have ambient shelf lives exceeding 6 months, primarily for products targeted at retail or food service markets.
Demand for hot fill packaging for food is forecast to increase 1.2% annually to $2.6 billion in 2026, sustained by the ongoing popularity of hot fill packaging for sauces and condiments. However, hot fill packaging will grow at a slow rate and will continue to lose share to aseptic packaging, which affords multiple benefits over hot fill processing, the most important of which is shorter heating times that minimize the impact of thermal processing of flavor, texture, and nutrition.
Hot Fill Packaging Demand for Sauces & Condiments to See Strongest Growth
Sauces and condiments - the largest application for hot fill packaging - is expected to experience relatively healthy gains through 2026 as food service revenues continue to rise following a sharp, pandemic-related decline in 2020. Bag-in-box and cups will grow at an above-average rate due to their strong performance properties and convenience. Gains will further be supported by the increasing popularity of specialty and ethnic sauces at the retail level.
Plastic Continues to Offer the Best Opportunities Among Packaging Materials
Despite being the leading material used in the production of hot fill packaging, plastic will continue to take share from glass and metal packaging, due to its lower weight and lower cost. Plastic will also benefit from the development of more sustainable products with higher recycled content, as well as technological improvements that facilitate the hot filling process. Oriented polypropylene (OPP) will see particularly good growth due to its high heat capability, light weight, improved clarity, and growing cost competitiveness compared to traditionally used polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
Methodology
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