Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market

Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

The global modified atmosphere packaging was valued at US$ 16.1 billion in 2023 and has been forecasted to expand at a noteworthy CAGR of 4.5% to end up at US$ 26.1 billion by 2034.

• In 2024, sales of flexible modified atmosphere packaging solutions are estimated to reach US$ 3.1 billion, accounting for 68.4% of the overall MAP market share. The growing preference for lightweight and customizable packaging options across various industries is driving the dominance of this segment.
• The food & beverage application segment is projected to be worth US$ 4.5 billion in 2024, capturing 78.2% of the market share. The segment’s growth is fueled by the increasing demand for fresh and longer-lasting products, particularly in the meat, dairy, and bakery sectors.
• The demand for sustainable and recyclable MAP materials is on the rise, with the segment expected to reach US$ 1.8 billion in sales by 2024, representing 39.7% of the market. Companies are increasingly adopting eco-friendly materials to meet regulatory requirements and consumer preferences for environmentally responsible packaging.
• The pharmaceutical segment within the MAP market is anticipated to grow to US$ 950 million by 2024, accounting for 16.5% of the market share. The segment is driven by the need for sterile, protective packaging that extends the shelf life of sensitive medical products.

Report Attributes	Details
Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market Size (2023A)	US$ 16.1 Billion
Estimated Market Value (2024E)	US$ 16.8 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 26.1 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	4.5% CAGR
East Asia Market Share (2024)	23.1%
China Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	4.5% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	Air Products and Chemicals, Inc; Amcor Ltd; Bemis Co., Inc; Berry Global Group, Inc.; Berry Plastics Corporation; Coveris Holdings S.A.; CVP Systems, LLC; Dansensor A/S; DuPont de Nemours, Inc.; Graphic Packaging Holding Company; Hayward Industries, Inc.; Ilapak International SA; Linde AG; LINPAC Packaging; Multisorb Technologies, Inc.; Orbital Foods; Pactiv LLC; Sealed Air Corporation; Sonoco Products Company; Winpak Ltd.; Other Prominent Players.

Sales Analysis of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (2019 to 2023) vs. Market Forecasts (2024 to 2034)

The value of the modified atmosphere packaging market was US$ 13.4 billion in 2019 and it increased to US$ 16.1 billion by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 4.5%.

• Short Term (2024 to 2028): With the rise in consumer consciousness over food safety and quality, the Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) market will have a bullish short-term outlook focusing on increasing its usage for prolonging perishables’ as a shelf life extension policy. Companies are also expected to put more effort towards research and development of advanced MAP technologies that will not only preserve freshness but adhere to changing food safety standards. This is expected to happen at an important time when there is a significant turn around towards MAPs especially in the food and drinks sector where both retailers and manufacturers want to reduce wastage while satisfying high-end customers who prefer fresh products of good quality.
• Medium Term (2028 to 2030): Growth of the MAP market in the medium term will be driven by the introduction of smart technologies in packaging solution. By 2028, the penetration of sensors and IoT technologies in MAP is likely to increase, which will offer real-time fresh product, temperature, and atmosphere condition monitoring. This development will especially benefit the pharmaceutical and food industries where product safety and traceability are very important. Companies will rather focus on the development of MAP solutions aimed not only at extending shelf life but also improving the product with interactive features, such as smartphone-enabled freshness tracking, hence improving the product appeal and increasing trust among consumers.
• Long Term (2030 to 2034): The breakthroughs in recycling technologies and material science by 2030 will have brought forth completely recyclable and biodegradable MAP solutions. Closed-loop systems will become commonplace with an efficient reuse-recycling of packed materials. This transition will be propelled by rising regulatory pressure, and consumer demand for eco-friendly commodities alongside inter-sector collaborations aimed at achieving sustainability targets. It shall focus on designing MAP solutions that not only ensure product protection but also minimize the environmental footprint it has; thus creating alignment between it and global movements towards circular economy.

On the back of the aforementioned facts, the modified atmosphere packaging market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period from 2024-2034, According to the Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Market Dynamics

What are the Factors Propelling Global Sales of Modified Atmosphere Packaging?

“Growing Demand for Fresh and Safe Products Driving MAP Adoption”

Modified atmosphere packaging solutions are highly adopted with the rising demand for fresh, high-quality, and safe products from every part of the world. Modern consumers happen to be the most aware because they want food that can stay fresh longer and retain taste, nutritional value, and safety. This change has led to tremendous growth in the use of MAP technologies, particularly in the food and beverage industry. Varying the atmospheric composition inside a package makes MAP a very good way of extending freshness and the shelf life of such items as fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products. As more and more stricter laws are enforced in the field of food safety, awareness of the loss and contamination risk has also increased; hence, a reliable solution for packing like MAP is gaining demand. This trend is likely to continue because companies are increasingly investing in advanced MAP technologies to meet consumer demand for safe, fresh, and high-quality products.

“Sustainability Concerns Accelerating Shift Towards Eco-Friendly MAP Solutions”

The sustainability factor is rapidly driving the global shift to green modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) solutions. There is a growing demand from both consumers and regulatory bodies for MAP that imparts as minor an environmental impact as possible, mostly because a sense of environmental consciousness is rapidly building. This has also led to a direct preference for MAP materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, or made from renewable resources. Companies in the packaging sector, in turn, continue to innovate with MAP solutions that safeguard shelf life with minimal wastage and reduced carbon footprint. On the other hand, further stringent government regulations and industry standards to curtail plastic waste and promote a circular economy will fuel the agenda toward sustainability. As a result of this, eco-friendly MAP solutions come into the limelight where the need for sustainable package design is increased by manufacturers and retailers to comply with consumer demand and regulations. So, this forms a necessity and plays a significant role in creating enormous opportunities for growth in the modified atmosphere packaging market, where sustainability is on the priority list.

What are the Challenges Encountered by Manufacturers of Modified Atmosphere Packaging?

“Balancing Cost Efficiency with Sustainability in MAP Production”

One of the challenges facing the manufacturer of modified atmosphere packaging is the cost efficiency against sustainability. Manufacturers face pressure from consumers and regulatory bodies for eco-friendly packaging solutions, thereby constantly needing to innovate MAP products that are very effective in keeping products fresh and, at the same time, environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, the production of such MAP materials, which can either be recyclable, biodegradable, or even renewable resource-based, generally adds cost to the overall production. This position is hard to maintain and control within a competitive market that comes with high price sensitivity.

Another challenge lies in the fact that technical performance should not be affected when including sustainable materials in the solutions of the modified atmosphere packaging. To make new product developments possible without increasing the selling price to such a level that the customer may not purchase, manufacturers will have to invest in research and development. This is ever-present, for cost versus sustainability seems to be a delicate balancing act that requires strategic planning and investment in sophisticated technologies.

Country-wise Insights

Why is Adoption of Modified Atmosphere Packaging High in the United States?

“United States Leads the Market with Focus on Reducing Food Waste”

The North American modified atmosphere packaging market has its roots in the United States of America since it has a high demand for reducing wastage of food and enhancing the safety of food. This is because around 30% to 40% of all the food produced in America is thrown away every year mainly due to poor packaging and other inefficiencies along the supply chain hence adopting MAP has become very important. In addition, MAP solutions for extending fresh produce shelf life, reducing waste, and ensuring quality from farm to fork have become urgent matters including consumers’ increasing preference for natural-tasting, ready-to-eat convenience foods.

Furthermore, there are also more hygienic and user-friendly options available in recent designs which make these packages safer than those made before thereby keeping their contents fresh for a long thus they are better than no products at all. All these factors make together United States of America an uncontested champion when it comes to MAP allowing them to be seen as increasing sustainability in agriculture; thus they become champions since they provide more secure and safe foods.

Which Countries Will Provide Lucrative Growth Opportunities in Asia Pacific?

“Asia Pacific Emerges as a Hotspot for MAP Growth Opportunities”

The modified atmosphere packaging market is developing into an important growth region with Asia Pacific being the main focus of this transformation, a fact that can be traced back to the region’s growing packaging sector and rising consumer demand for packaged food and drink. Urbanization’s rapid pace coupled with increasing disposable income across nations such as China, India, and Indonesia storms are pushing consumers towards fast convenience foods that need efficient preservation means. However, these changing tastes will find their expression in MAP technology, which is meant to enhance the shelf-life of perishable items while taking into consideration their quality.

The wide-ranging population across Asia also creates an enormous and diverse market for MAP solutions. The need for MAP in countries like South Korea and Japan, where the food and beverage industry is already heavily reliant on sophisticated packaging technologies, is exceptionally high. There will be a faster growth rate in MAP due to urbanization and modernization in this region hence opening the door for manufacturers and suppliers to take advantage of the expanding market.

Category-wise Insights

Which Material is Widely Preferred for the Production of Modified Atmosphere Packaging?

“High Demand for Polyethylene in MAP Production Due to Versatility”

Of all the preferred materials used to produce modified atmosphere packaging, polyethylene is one. Mostly, the material PE is preferred because of its versatile properties. Besides, PE is highly valued for its moisture barrier, flexibility, and durability properties that make the material very suitable for the preservation of different perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, and meat products. This ensures that the packaged products remain of good quality throughout their shelf life through the integrity of the material under various environmental conditions.

In addition, its compatibility with other materials, such as EVOH and polyamide, makes PE able to be manufactured into multi-layered films that are more resistant to oxygen and moisture. As far as 2024 is concerned, polyethylene has captured a giant share in the MAP market. Its demand would further rise with a CAGR of 5.2 percent within the next decade. The major driver for this growth is the wide span of applications across the food and beverage industry.

“Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Gains Traction for Superior Oxygen Barrier Properties”

Improved oxygen barrier properties make EVOH in great demand in the MAP market, which is the prime requirement for enhancing shelf life. It prevents oxygen permeation, thus degrading food quality, taste, and nutritional value. This makes EVOH one of the most preferred materials used in packaging sensitive products like meat, milk, and ready-to-eat food that requires more extended shelf stability. Besides, the coextrusion ability of EVOH with other polymers-like polyethylene or polypropylene, for example-originates more developed films to package, which will bear the properties of each one. By 2024, EVOH will have a strong presence in the MAP market and will further grow at 6.1% CAGR during 2024-2034, as more companies switch to this material in order to adhere to the increasing stringent demands for food safety and quality.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the modified atmosphere packaging industry are Air Products and Chemicals, Inc, Amcor Ltd, Bemis Co., Inc., Berry Global Group, Inc., Berry Plastics Corporation, Coveris Holdings S.A., CVP Systems, LLC, Dansensor A/S, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Graphic Packaging Holding Company, Hayward Industries, Inc., Ilapak International SA, Linde AG, LINPAC Packaging, Multisorb Technologies, Inc., Orbital Foods, Pactiv LLC, Sealed Air Corporation, Sonoco Products Company & Winpak Ltd.

Companies devote a significant portion of their revenue to R&D to resolve problems and offer creative solutions to draw in new customers and stay competitive. Companies are developing customized offerings for issues that meet industry-specific needs to compete with other players.

• Berry Global Group, Inc. is a major player in the modified atmosphere packaging market. In February 2024, Berry Global Group's Health, Hygiene and Specialties division was spun off and merged with Glatfelter Corporation to establish a prominent publicly traded firm in the specialized materials sector
• Amcor Ltd. is a leading global packaging company that offers modified atmosphere packaging solutions. In 2023, Amcor announced that its packaging would feature the Carbon Trust's 'Reducing CO2 Packaging' Label to showcase significant carbon footprint reductions & Also In August 2023, Amcor announced a deal to acquire Phoenix Flexibles. This acquisition brings innovative film technology, allowing for the local creation of a greater variety of more sustainable packaging options

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of modified atmosphere packagings positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Modified Atmosphere Packaging Industry Research

• By Material:

  • Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol
  • Polyethylene
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate
  • Polyamide
  • Other Materials

• By Application:

  • Poultry
  • Seafood & Meat Products
  • Fruits & Vegetables
  • Convenience Foods
  • Bakery & Confectionery
  • Dairy Products
  • Other Applications

• By Packaging Format:

  • Containers
  • Sachets and Pouches
  • Wraps
  • Trays

• By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa