Report Overview

Europe Flexible Packaging Market is flourishing owing to the growing need for longer shelf life, increased adoption of flexible packaging over rigid packaging, demand for lightweight products, and changing lifestyles of people in Europe...

Europe Flexible Packaging Market - Industry Trends & Forecast Report 2028

Europe Flexible Packaging Market was worth USD 47.62 billion in 2021 and is further projected to reach USD 71.37 billion by the year 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period (2022-2028). The rapid expansion of the market is predominantly due to the increasing demand from a variety of end-user industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, cosmetics, personal care, and others. Also, the key reasons driving demand in the Europe Flexible Packaging Market are the growing consumer awareness of the significance of safe food storage practices. Moreover, manufacturers rely on modern and advanced packaging techniques to revolutionize the food service sector, which aids market inclination. Furthermore, increased adoption of sustainable packaging solutions, as well as new product launches by the market's major players, are expected to create lucrative opportunities for growth in the coming years.

Flexible Packaging - Overview

Flexible packaging is a method of packaging products that use non-rigid materials, allowing for more cost-effective and customizable options. Any package or part of a package whose shape can be easily changed is considered flexible packaging. Flexible packaging is typically made of plastic, film, foil, and paper and takes the form of a bag, film, lidding, liner, overwrap, pouch, roll stock, sleeve, or wrap, making it lighter than rigid packaging. Some examples of flexible packaging are bags, pouches, shrink films, tubes, sleeves, and carded packaging,

Europe Flexible Packaging Market Forecast and Trends

Growth Drivers

Surging Demand for Packaged Food

The growing urban population in the Europe, as well as changing lifestyle patterns such as less time spent on meal preparation, is leading to a shift toward more processed, easily packed, and pre-prepared foods and snacks, which is expected to propel the market growth. Moreover, the increased demand for packaged foods, ready-to-eat foods, frozen foods, and luxury foods is expected to increase the demand for flexible packaging solutions in the country, owing to their ability to extend the shelf life of such products. Furthermore, increased demand from food and beverage manufacturers for eco-friendly and recyclable packaging and increased demand for product personalization have all contributed to the growth of sustainable, flexible packaging solutions.

Cost-effectiveness and Increased Product Shelf-life

Because of hectic lifestyles, the demand for convenient products has increased, as has the demand for flexible packs. Flexible plastic packaging requires fewer resources and energy for packaging; thus, flexible packs are less expensive and take up 35% less retail shelf space, making them more cost-effective than other types of packaging. Furthermore, there has been a gradual shift in consumer preference away from traditional methods of preparing food at home and toward purchasing packaged products. Moreover, Flexible plastic packaging consumes fewer natural resources, requires less energy to manufacture, and emits fewer greenhouse gases. Flexible plastic packaging reduces product waste and extends product shelf-life; for example, bananas packaged in flexible plastic packaging ripen more slowly, extending shelf life. This type of packaging requires the least amount of packaging possible, lowering product warehousing and shipping costs while maintaining or improving product protection.

Growing E-commerce Industry

The expansion of the e-commerce industry, as well as the growing desire for convenience, are shaping new customer expectations in Europe. Flexible packaging, such as bags, mailers, and folders, is required by the E-Commerce industry because they use less material than similar-sized boxes, weigh less, and conform around the product, taking up less space than a box during shipping. This allows for more orders to be packed into each load, resulting in fewer trips, less fuel burned, and a lower carbon footprint. Such potential benefits drive demand for the region's market. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some e-commerce and home delivery businesses experienced a massive boost, as packages require better impact and puncture resistance, driving a shift from rigid to flexible packaging for liquid products, as enhanced integrity is required with e-commerce purchases, thereby driving market growth in the region. Furthermore, all these factors boost the growth of the Europe Flexible Packaging Market during the forecast period (2022-2028).

Restraints

The effects of the financial crisis on consumer purchasing power, rising commodity prices, and other such factors may pose a challenge to the European market. Recycling plastic packaging waste is a process that necessitates cutting-edge infrastructure. It is a time-consuming process that necessitates the expertise of personnel. However, some parts of Europe lack recycling facilities. Moreover, there are some environmental concerns about recyclability and sustainability, which may slightly impede market growth due to the widespread use of plastic material for flexible packaging. Furthermore, disposal and recycling regulations are becoming more stringent in several European countries, which may pose a challenge to several vendors in the region. All these factors hinder the growth of the Europe Flexible Packaging Market.

Impact of COVID-19 on Europe Flexible Packaging Market

Due to the covid-19 pandemic, restaurants have shifted to take-out and food deliveries during lockdowns, increasing demand for packaged food such as frozen meat, fish, and so on, which increased the need for flexible packaging. Furthermore, the use of at-home refill packaging for home and personal care products has created a new market opportunity for flexible plastic refill pouches that reduce shipping weight and parcel size in transit. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of the E-commerce industry, with many European consumers opting for online shopping over lockdown. Furthermore, as E-commerce has increased consumer concerns about packaging, there has been an increase in demand in the region for sustainable, flexible packaging.

Europe Flexible Packaging Market - By Material

Based on the material, the Europe Flexible Packaging Market is segmented into Plastics, Paper, Aluminum Foils, and Others. Among these, the Plastics segment accounts for the largest share in the Europe Flexible Packaging Market. This is because plastics are more flexible, durable, lightweight, and cost-effective than other materials. The plastic section includes polymer films, which are widely used in the industry because they can be formed into a variety of shapes and sizes and have a variety of performance characteristics. All these factors propel the growth of the Europe Flexible Packaging Market during a forecast period (2022-2028).

Europe Flexible Packaging Market – By Product Type

Based on product type, the Europe Flexible Packaging Market is segmented into Pouches, Bags, Films and Wraps, and Others. Among these, the Pouches segment holds the largest market share. This is because they are portable, simple to use, provide high clarity, and act as an excellent barrier to the outside environment. Also, the segment's dominant market position can be attributed to an increase in demand for these types in various applications in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and personal care & cosmetic industries. Moreover, the rise in demand for pouches can be attributed to an increase in demand for lightweight and convenient packaging solutions.

Europe Flexible Packaging Market – By Country

Geographically, the Europe Flexible Packaging Market is segmented into Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, and the Rest of Europe. Among these, the United Kingdom dominates the market owing to the growing urban population in the United Kingdom. Also, changing lifestyle patterns, including less time spent on meal preparation, is leading to a shift toward more processed, easily packed, and pre-prepared foods and snacks, which is expected to propel the market growth. Moreover, the growing public consciousness about sustainability has resulted in a massive shift among UK consumers who believe that paper-based packaging is more sustainable than plastic. Additionally, in 2020, the United Kingdom consumed 9.9 million metric tonnes of paper and board, of which 5.6 million metric tonnes were consumed for packaging, accounting for more than half of total paper and board consumption. This has increased the demand for vendors to provide sustainable and recyclable flexible packaging.

Competitive Landscape

The leading market players in the Europe Flexible Packaging Market are Amcor Plc, Berry Global Group Inc., Mondi Group, Sealed Air Corporation, Constantia Flexibles, Coveris Holding SA, Transcontinental Inc., HuhtamäkiOyj, Sonoco Products Company, Ahlstrom-MunksjöOyj, Greif, Inc., Westrock Company, AptarGroup, Inc.. FlexPak Services LLC, Al Invest Bridlicnaa.s.

The Europe Flexible Packaging Market is highly fragmented with the presence of several manufacturing companies in the country. The market leaders retain their supremacy by spending on research and development, incorporating cutting-edge technology into their goods, and releasing upgraded items for customers. Various tactics, including strategic alliances, agreements, mergers, and partnerships, are used.

Recent Development

• June 2021- Mondi Group expanded its range of plastic-free eCommerce packaging with MailerBAG range of sustainable paper solutions, which is fully recyclable in existing paper waste streams and replaces the need for plastic packaging. The company also recently invested in its European plants to deliver approximately 350 million paper bags per year for the online retail industry. Also, in the same month, Mondi’s paper-based EcoWicketBag won gold in the 2021 EUROSAC Grand Prix for its overall performance, reduction of CO2 emissions, and convenience for the customer.

Scope of the Report

By Material

• Plastics
• Paper
• Aluminum Foils
• Others

By Product Type

• Pouches
• Bags
• Films and Wraps
• Others

By Application

• Food and Beverages
• Medical and Pharmaceutical
• Personal Care and Cosmetic
• Industrial
• Others

By Country

• Germany
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• France
• Spain
• Rest of Europe