Flexible Packaging Market Report 2026

The flexible packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $308.11 billion in 2025 to $331.79 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of packaged food consumption, growth of retail and e-commerce packaging demand, availability of advanced polymer materials, cost efficiency of flexible packaging, expansion of global consumer goods markets.

The flexible packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $444.76 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulations on plastic waste reduction, rising demand for sustainable packaging, growth of convenience food consumption, increasing adoption of smart packaging technologies, expansion of emerging market consumption. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of recyclable and biodegradable materials, rising demand for lightweight packaging solutions, growing use of high-barrier flexible packaging, expansion of custom printed packaging formats, enhanced focus on shelf-life extension.

The growing number of online food outlets is anticipated to drive the expansion of the flexible packaging market in the coming years. Online food outlets are digital platforms or services that enable customers to order food and beverages for delivery or pickup. The increase in online food outlets is attributed to rising consumer demand for convenience and continuous advancements in digital technologies. With increasingly busy lifestyles, more consumers prefer ordering food online instead of cooking or dining out, as it saves time and provides access to a broad range of options at their convenience. Flexible packaging supports online food outlets by ensuring product freshness, preventing spills, and offering cost-efficient delivery solutions, thereby improving customer satisfaction and strengthening brand value. For example, in 2025, according to Uber Eats, a US-based online food ordering and delivery platform and subsidiary of Uber, the platform reported over 1.5 million active merchants worldwide in 2024 and served 140 million customers, enabling hundreds of millions of orders in the United States, generating $9.4 billion in new economic revenue, and expanding its merchant base by more than 10%. Therefore, the increasing number of online food outlets is contributing to the growth of the flexible packaging market.

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.

Major companies operating in the flexible packaging market are Henkel Limited., Amcor Plc, Mondi Group, Sonoco Products Company, Sealed Air Corp, Huhtamaki Oyj, Constantia Flexibles Group, ProAmpac Holdings, ePac Holdings LLC., LC Packaging International BV, TCPL Packaging Ltd., Guala Pack S.p.a., Resinex, Terinex Flexibles Ltd, Parkside Flexibles Ltd., Eagle Flexible Packaging Inc., FENTON PACKAGING LIMITED, WZ Packaging Ltd, Harkwell Labels Ltd., Norpol Packaging Ltd, Shako Flexipack Private Limited., SPP Printed Packaging, Tyler Packaging Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the flexible packaging market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the flexible packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the flexible packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, 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/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.

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