Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market is projected to expand from USD 51.89 Billion in 2025 to USD 76.92 Billion by 2031, achieving a CAGR of 6.78%. This sector encompasses the diverse array of machinery, materials, and automated frameworks used to preserve, contain, and label food items for secure distribution. Growth is propelled by the surging global appetite for processed and convenience foods, which demands rapid, automated packaging technologies to uphold supply chain efficacy. Additionally, stringent regulatory mandates concerning food safety and hygiene push manufacturers to implement sophisticated systems that ensure rigorous compliance while extending product longevity.

However, a major hurdle restricting market growth is the substantial initial capital required for integrated automated lines, often proving prohibitive for small and medium-sized enterprises. This financial obstacle is exacerbated by volatile raw material prices that squeeze operational margins and discourage machinery modernization. Despite these challenges, the sector demonstrates resilience; according to 'VDMA', in '2024', the global trade volume for food processing and packaging machinery rose to exceed 52 billion euros, underscoring the industry's significant scale and robustness in the face of economic headwinds.

Market Drivers

The rapid integration of advanced automation and robotics is fundamentally transforming packaging lines, driven by the urgent necessity to alleviate labor shortages and boost operational output. Manufacturers are adopting robotic systems to execute repetitive tasks like picking, packing, and palletizing with speed and accuracy superior to manual work. This technological evolution not only streamlines production costs but also guarantees consistent hygiene standards vital for food safety by minimizing human contact. The magnitude of this shift is highlighted by the International Federation of Robotics, which reported in September 2024 that the global operational stock of industrial robots hit a record 4,281,585 units in 2023, a 10% annual increase fueled by automation needs.

Furthermore, escalating regulatory and consumer demand for sustainable packaging is shaping market trends, forcing a move away from traditional plastics. Governments are enacting stricter waste reduction laws, encouraging a shift toward recyclable materials and circular economic models. In response, equipment suppliers are redesigning machinery to handle thinner films and fiber-based substitutes without sacrificing speed or seal quality. This pivot is exemplified by major players enhancing material circularity; according to Amcor's October 2024 'Sustainability Report', the firm purchased over 224,000 metric tons of recycled material. Additionally, PMMI's November 2024 report indicates that U.S. packaging machinery shipments rose to $10.9 billion in 2023, reflecting the strong economic drive behind these upgrades.

Market Challenges

The substantial upfront capital needed for integrated automated lines serves as a major barrier to the expansion of the Global Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market. Securing the advanced machinery required for regulatory compliance and operational efficiency entails significant investment, creating a difficult hurdle for small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies frequently lack the financial liquidity to manage such costs, especially when fluctuating raw material prices deplete operational budgets. As a result, many manufacturers are compelled to postpone necessary equipment upgrades or capacity enhancements.

This financial caution negatively affects market volume and the uptake of new technologies. When businesses delay purchasing due to budgetary constraints, the equipment sector suffers a downturn in new activity. This trend is reflected in recent industry data; according to 'VDMA', in '2024', incoming orders for food processing and packaging machinery dropped by 7% in the first seven months of the year relative to the same period in the prior year. This decline illustrates how capital constraints effectively curb the market's progress, hindering it from fully leveraging the inherent demand for processed food products.

Market Trends

The adoption of AI-driven predictive maintenance is quickly expanding as manufacturers aim to eradicate unplanned downtime and maximize equipment efficiency. Distinct from standard automation, these intelligent systems employ machine learning to scrutinize real-time machinery data, detecting potential faults before they interrupt production. Transitioning from reactive repairs to proactive asset management is essential for sustaining continuous flow in high-volume processing settings where minor stops cause spoilage. The depth of this integration is evident in industry investments; according to Rockwell Automation's June 2025 report, 95% of manufacturers have invested or plan to invest in AI and machine learning over the next five years to boost operational resilience.

Concurrently, automated vision-based quality control is becoming vital for minimizing the financial and reputational dangers of packaging mistakes. These sophisticated optical systems inspect seals, codes, and labels at high velocity, ensuring compliance with rigorous standards for allergen warnings and expiration dates. This technology acts as a crucial safeguard against expensive product withdrawals resulting from human error during manual inspections. The necessity for such precise validation is highlighted by regulatory data; according to a January 2025 analysis by Loftware, label errors constituted the primary cause of U.S. food recalls in 2024, responsible for approximately 45.5% of all recorded incidents.

Key Players Profiled in the Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market

• Arpac LLC
• Bosch Packaging Technology
• Coesia Group
• GEA Group
• IMA Group
• Ishida
• Multivac, Inc.
• Nichrome India Ltd.
• Omori Machinery Co. Ltd.
• Oystar Holding GmbH

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, by Food Packaging Technology Type:

• Controlled Packaging
• Aseptic Packaging
• and Others

Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, by Food Packaging Equipment Type:

• Form-Fill-Seal
• Case Packing
• and Others

Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, by Application:

• Convenience Foods
• Dairy & Dairy Products
• Poultry and Others

Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, by Material:

• Metal
• Plastics
• and Others

Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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