Packaging Robots Global Market Report 2024

The packaging robots market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $5.57 billion in 2023 to $6.26 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The expansion observed during the historical period can be ascribed to shortages in manufacturing labor, a growing consumer preference for customization, progress in robotics and automation, escalating labor expenses, and the implementation of rigorous quality and safety standards.

The packaging robots market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.97 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be credited to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the surge in sustainable packaging practices, heightened emphasis on hygienic design, the proliferation of smart manufacturing, and the adoption of flexible packaging solutions. Notable trends projected for this period encompass collaborative robotics (cobots), the emergence of robotics as a service (RaaS), the utilization of vision-guided robotics for quality control, the integration of robotic picking and packing processes, and the implementation of blockchain for traceability in packaging.

The packaging robot market is expected to experience significant growth, driven by the burgeoning e-commerce and retail industries. E-commerce, characterized by the electronic buying and selling of products and services, is on the rise due to shifting consumer preferences, heightened convenience, and a desire for personalized experiences. Packaging robots play a crucial role in e-commerce warehouses and retail settings, streamlining material handling, packaging processes, and overall supply chain management. For instance, in February 2023, France's e-commerce sector generated €146.9 billion ($159.11 billion) in revenue, reflecting a substantial 13.8% growth over the previous year, as reported by Ecommerce Europe. Additionally, global e-commerce's share of total retail sales increased from 15% to 21% between 2019 and 2021, reaching approximately 22% of total sales, according to a June 2022 article by Morgan Stanley. The upward trajectory of e-commerce and retail is poised to propel the packaging robot market.

The growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions is a key driver fueling the packaging robot market's expansion. Sustainable packaging involves the use of environmentally responsible and resource-efficient alternatives that aim to minimize the environmental impact across a product's lifecycle. Packaging robots are integral to achieving efficiency in the packaging process, reducing material waste, and improving precision within sustainable packaging solutions. As evidenced by a study from SmashBrand, published in August 2023, the packaging industry is witnessing rapid growth, with a projected 6% increase in the sustainable packaging market by 2027. Many businesses are committing to incorporating recycled packaging into their practices. Consequently, the rising consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions is anticipated to be a significant driving force behind the growth of the packaging robot products market.

The packaging robots market is witnessing a prominent trend driven by technological advancements, with major companies actively developing innovative products to enhance their market positions. An example of this trend is seen in ABB Robotics, a Switzerland-based provider of power and automation technologies, which launched the FlexPicker IRB 365 in August 2022. Positioned as the fastest-in-class robot for picking and packing applications up to 1.5 kg, the IRB 365 is versatile, handling tasks such as bottle handling, package sorting, and shelf-ready packaging. With an impressive speed of 120 picks per minute, the robot employs digital twin technology and ABB's PickMaster Twin software to integrate into packaging lines swiftly, reducing changeover times from hours to minutes.

Companies in the packaging robots market are adopting a strategic partnerships approach to streamline integration processes and optimize various stages of customer deployment. Strategic partnerships involve leveraging mutual strengths and resources to achieve shared benefits and success. An illustration of this strategy is the partnership between US-based robotics company OSARO Inc. and SVT Robotics Partner, formed in November 2022. The collaboration aims to expedite the integration and deployment of advanced packaging robotics systems in e-commerce and logistics businesses.

In November 2022, Krones AG, a Germany-based manufacturer of filling and packaging solutions, made an undisclosed acquisition of R+D Custom Automation LLC. This strategic move aligns with Krones' goal of expanding beyond the beverage market and strengthens its presence in the rapidly growing life science and pharmaceutical sectors. R+D Custom Automation, a US-based automation and robotics system integrator, serves various applications, including labeling, kitting, tray handling, pack-out, and sealing, among others. This acquisition enhances Krones' capabilities and diversifies its portfolio in response to evolving market dynamics.

Major companies operating in the packaging robots market report are DENSO Robotics, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Schneider Electric SE, ABB Ltd., Kawasaki Robotics Inc., Epson Robots, FANUC Corporation, Krones AG, KUKA Roboter GmbH, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, FESTO Corporation, Hanwha Robotics, IMA Group, Universal Robots, Thomasnet, BluePrint Automation, StrongPoint Automation, Combi Packaging Systems LLC, Brenton LLC, JLS Automation, Remtec Automation LLC, AFA Systems Ltd., Intelligent Actuator, Bellini and Meda, Sidel.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the packaging robots market in 2023, and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the packaging robots market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the packaging robots market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The gripping mechanisms employed by packaging robots come in various types, including clamp type, claw type, vacuum, and others. A clamp is a substantial metal device that attaches to the wheel of a parked vehicle to prevent it from being driven away. In the context of packaging robots, clamp-type grippers are utilized for diverse applications such as pick and place, packing, case packing, tray packing, filling, and more. These robots find applications across various industries, catering to the needs of end-users such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, logistics, among others. The versatility of packaging robots makes them invaluable in optimizing packaging processes for improved overall efficiency and precision.

The packaging robots market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides packaging robots market statistics, including packaging robots industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a packaging robots market share, detailed packaging robots market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the packaging robots industry. This packaging robots 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 packaging robots market consists of sales of articulated robots, cartesian robots, SCARA robots, and delta robots. 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/or 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.