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Top trends driving flexible packaging growth

Convenience, sustainability, e-commerce and retail-ready packaging are pushing manufacturers to embrace flexible packaging.

Pouches are the fastest growing category within the flexible packaging market. Plastic pouches, in particular, will experience the largest growth (20 percent) among flexible packaging types through 2022. Source: 2019 Flexible Packaging Assessment, produce
Pouches are the fastest growing category within the flexible packaging market. Plastic pouches, in particular, will experience the largest growth (20 percent) among flexible packaging types through 2022. Source: 2019 Flexible Packaging Assessment, produce

Flexible packaging is growing fast worldwide. Making up 39 percent of the global packaging market, flexible packaging is expected to continue its upward surge, according to the 2019 Flexible Packaging Assessment report, produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The report credits the accelerated growth in flexible packaging mainly to consumer demand for convenience and sustainability, the rise of e-commerce and an industry push for retail-ready packaging.

The food sector is the largest end user for flexible packaging, according to the report. The food industry was an early adopter of flexible packaging due to the popularity of ready-to-eat foods and snacks to accommodate on-the-go consumers. Flexible packaging growth in this segment is being driven by these consumers, who are more inclined to purchase products in convenient packaging that offer single-serve portions and is resealable, lightweight and portable — regardless of price — the report says.

The emergence of sustainable packaging has also propelled the growth of flexible packaging. More manufacturers are shifting to flexible packaging because they are under increasing pressure from consumers and regulatory agencies to reduce waste. Flexible packaging allows manufacturers to use less materials and biodegradable, recyclable or compostable films in their packaging without compromising barrier properties. Flexible packaging is also suitable for small batch production and lends itself to innovative technology like 3-D printing, which lets manufacturers reuse excess film and other materials.

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