Industrial Packaging Market

Industrial Packaging Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The valuation of the global industrial packaging market stands at US$ 70 billion in 2023. Sales of industrial bulk packaging solutions are estimated to reach US$ 107 billion by 2033, increasing at a CAGR of 4.3% over the next ten years.

A wide variety of products are packaged, shipped, stored, and thus require robust packaging solutions. Specialized and heavy-duty packaging solutions are used for enhanced protection at the time of transportation and while the products are stored. A wide variety of wood products, including boxes, crates, and various others are used as industrial packaging materials. Aluminum, stainless steel, and other metals are also used for the packaging of products across different end-use industries. Effective packaging solutions ensure the safety and protection of products from contamination or damage.

Growth of the global market is owing to the rising demand for industrial bulk packaging in end-use industries such as pharmaceuticals and food & beverages. In addition, acceleration in industrial activities, high consumer income, and growth in modern retailing are also likely to drive the demand for flexible packaging products.

The trend among prominent players in the global industry is to innovate various products to gain a strong foothold across the industry. This pattern in the industry is likely to bolster growth avenues in the coming years.

The requirement for industrial packaging solutions, including polyethylene terephthalate packaging for pharmaceutical and food & beverage applications, is rising at a noticeable speed in recent years. People order fresh and staple food on daily basis with the use of online shopping platforms and thus push the demand for bulk industrial packaging solutions.

Governments from various countries around the world have stimulated players in the food industry to increase production to avoid supply-side shortages. Further, industry players are also planning to adopt solutions to maintain uninterrupted supply. Thus, these factors are projected to stimulate the increased production of industrial packaging materials.

Manufacturers of PPE, medications, and hospitals responded to the crisis of COVID-19 which has further increased the requirement for packaging solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. Demand for medical goods, healthcare, and household necessities is likely to increase at a significant speed. Further, the online distribution of these items is estimated to increase in parallel, thereby benefiting producers of industrial packaging solutions.

Report Attributes	Details
Market Size (2023)	US$ 70 Billion
Projected Market Value (2033)	US$ 107 Billion
Estimated Growth Rate of Market (2023 to 2033)	4.3% CAGR
Japan Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	2.5% CAGR
Germany Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	3.2%
Key Companies Profiled	Amcor Ltd.; Bemis Co., Inc.; Grief, Inc.; International Paper Company; Orora Ltd.; Sigma Plastics Group; WestRock Company; Mondi PLC

How Will the Need for Industrial Packaging Increase Going Forward?

“Growing Production in Different End-use Industries to Propel Demand for Bulk Packaging Solutions”

Demand for crates/totes, intermediate bulk containers, and bulk packaging has increased due to rising production in various end-use industries. Further, the exchange of goods across global industries including chemicals and petroleum products is also likely to push sales of packaging solutions. The companies from industrial packaging solutions are catering to the requirement of numerous end-use industries that include chemicals, food & beverages, construction, and so on.

Rising demand for effective packaging solutions from these industries is due to the increasing count of trade activities between countries that have also stimulated the demand for safer transportation of goods. Moreover, rapid growth in the food & beverages industry is likely to influence market growth.

For instance :

• The beer industry in the United States in the year 2019 reported shipments of more than 203.1 million barrels of beer.
• According to the NBWA Industry Affairs, the per capita consumption of beer and cider was more than 27 gallons in the United States in the year 2021.

Thus, this increasing consumption rate is likely to stimulate the demand for various packaging solutions such as cans, folding cartons, polyethylene terephthalate bottles, and so on.

“Emergence of Recyclable & Sustainable Packaging Materials”

Sustainable packaging solutions are emerging as an excellent investment and healthier choice for our environment. Growing concerns related to the safe handling and recycling of different packaging materials have stimulated the implementation of various new policies as well as legislation that ensure the recovery of packaging materials by respective businesses.

Consumer packaging materials are targeted by government bodies initially owing to the volume of the waste that is produced by packaging solutions. In addition, packaging associations and governments have also begun a serious discussion about the environmental consequences related to the use of commercial packaging. The requirements of international packaging solutions vary and are generally based on different regulations.

At present, the majority of these requirements are applied as mandates. The persistent push for environment-friendly packaging solutions and recyclability legislation is also predicted to drive market growth. Companies like Coca-Cola and Walmart are improving the sustainability of their packaging solutions with the use of resource-efficient designs and renewable and recycled materials.

Which Factors Can Limit Adoption of Industrial Packaging Solutions to Some Extent?

“Increasing Environmental Concerns Regarding Packaging Materials”

In recent years, the environmental concerns related to the use of rigid packaging solutions are increasing which is further estimated to curtail market growth. Furthermore, the rising cost of raw materials can increase the overall cost of industry products. So, manufacturers generally try to use low-quality raw materials to increase profit margins which also impacts the quality of final products.

Strict regulations related to unstable compounds might hinder market growth. Moreover, the growing demand for recyclable packaging solutions also put a significant impact on market growth.

“Fluctuation in Raw Material Prices”

Downstream items of crude oil including polyurethane, polyethylene, EPS Styrofoam, and polystyrene generally find application as raw materials in packaging solutions. The fluctuation in the prices of crude oil can impact the overall price of industrial packaging solutions. As per the data provided by the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, there have been noticeable fluctuations in the cost of crude oil in recent years.

Thus, this constant price fluctuation of raw materials will put a direct impact on the growth opportunities in the global market.

What Opportunities are Available for New Industrial Packaging Solution Providers?

“Development of Sustainable Packaging Solutions Can Reduce Use of Plastic While Creating Lucrative Market Opportunities”

Industry players are investing a noticeable amount to introduce some sustainable packaging solutions that can be recycled. In addition, the major aim of these initiatives is to reduce the application of plastic that is causing harm to our environment.

For instance :

• Mondi in July 2022 entered into a collaboration with Diamant, a manufacturer of bikes from Germany, to wrap and preserve its branded trekking and mountain bikes. Diamant uses the pre-made paper Protectors Bags of Mondi instead of plastic bubble wrap for bike handlebars. This newly developed technique will safeguard bikes during transportation with a noticeable reduction of plastic by more than 85% per year.
• Spadel and DS Smith PLC in June 2022 introduced a new 5-liter packaging solution that is built to be sustainable and practical. This Eco Pack was designed in collaboration with the leaders of the respective market that specialize in sustainable packaging solutions and natural mineral water. The octagonal box has a flexible plastic bag that can hold around 5 liters of liquid and it is made of cardboard.

The economic application of materials can reduce the use of plastic by more than 65% for the prolonged shelf life of water.

Which is the Leading Regional Market for Industrial Packaging Solutions?

“Asia Pacific Leads Due to Increased Spending on Lifestyle Products, Driving Demand for Commercial Packaging Solutions”

The market in the Asia Pacific region is likely to hold the largest share of the global industry. This growth in the regional market is attributed to the rising spending on different consumer goods due to increasing disposable income. People are further adapting to new lifestyles that are estimated to increase the market availability of related products and thus projected to contribute to growth opportunities there.

Based on the rising count of import and export activities, the market in the North American region is expected to grow at the second-largest speed in the forecast period. Moreover, the imposition of the free-trade agreement can also push demand for recyclable packaging solutions.

With the rising demand for industrial packaging in the pharmaceutical and food & beverages industries, the market in Europe is also anticipated to grow at a noticeable speed.

Country-wise Insights

Why is Germany a Leading Market in the European Region?

“Rapidly Growing Demand for Consumer Goods”

The market in Germany is projected to progress at a CAGR of 3.2% through 2033 due to rising expenditure by people on various consumer goods that require advanced packaging solutions. Further, rising demand for effective industrial packaging solutions across the pharmaceutical and food & beverages industries is also contributing to market growth.

Why is the U.S. a Prominent Market for Industrial Packaging?

“Increasing Import and Export Activities in the United States”

The value of the U.S. industrial packaging industry is more than US$ 16.5 billion in the year 2022. The market growth is due to the increasing number of import and export activities. Moreover, increased spending on different products from the food & beverages industry is also likely to stimulate demand for effective packaging solutions there.

Further, the Canada market is likely to progress at a CAGR of 3.5% through 2033.

What Will Stimulate Demand for Industrial Packaging Services & Solutions in Japan?

“Adoption of Different Lifestyle Products to Propel Sales of Feasible Packaging Solutions”

The market in Japan is likely to progress at a CAGR of 2.5% through 2033 owing to the increasing disposable income of people which further contributes to the adoption of products for a better lifestyle. These factors can generate lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Category-wise Insights

Why are Bulk Containers (IBCs) Gaining Traction in the Global Market?

“Increased Adoption in Different Businesses as Standard Packaging Solutions”

Based on product, the industry is segmented into corrugated boxes, drums, IBCs, sacks, Crates, and pails. Among these IBCS are likely to hold the largest share of the global market. These are the most common option that is adopted by different businesses around the world as standard packaging solutions.

IBCs are used commonly in the petrochemicals, chemical, and oil and gas industries for the storage and management of products. Foldable, rigid, and flexible are the three types of IBC containers.

Protection, cost-efficiency, multiple applications, compatibility, and high storage space are some key features of IBCs that make them the most efficient packaging solutions.

Which End-use Industry Accounts for High Usage of Packaging Solutions?

“Food & Beverage Industry Prominent User of Industrial Packaging Solutions”

Based on application, the industry is classified into food & beverages, automotive, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, oil & lubricants, building & construction, and other applications. Among these, the food & beverages industry is estimated to grow at a moderate CAGR of 4.4% through 2033. Industrial packaging plays a crucial role in the sales of fresh food, daily essentials, and FMCG (Fast-moving Consumer Goods) through online and e-commerce platforms.

Industrial packaging solutions play a pivotal role to meet the regulations for food safety. It ensures a clean and smooth transition from the process of picking to packaging with minimal human interaction. It is used widely in the food & beverages industry due to its susceptibility to temperature.

Increasing population with urbanization further results in the increased demand for different consumer goods that are estimated to contribute to market growth.

Competitive Landscape

Industry players are several strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

For instance :

• Mondi Group, in June 2020, announced investing EUR 7 million at its facility at Nyregyhaza, Hungary, for the system that is used for the cutting-edge paper sack. The machine is used to increase the service standards, efficiency, and quality of its plant to produce advanced and high-end paper sacks for food purposes.
• Greif Inc., in April 2020, expanded its reconditioning network to North America IBC by purchasing a minority stake in Centurion Container LLC. The collaboration aims to improve the ability of the company to provide sustainable packaging solutions.

Key players in the industrial packaging market are Amcor Ltd., Bemis Co., Inc., Grief, Inc., International Paper Company, Orora Ltd., Sigma Plastics Group, WestRock Company, and Mondi PLC

Segmentation of Industrial Packaging Industry Research

• By Type :

  • Corrugated Boxes
  • Drums
  • IBCs
  • Sacks
  • Crates
  • Pails

• By Application :

  • Food & Beverages
  • Automotive
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Chemicals
  • Oil & Lubricants
  • Building Constructions
  • Other Applications

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa