United States (US) Flexible Packaging Market Research Report, 2030

The U.S. flexible packaging market has undergone significant growth, driven by several key trends, including the increasing demand for convenience, the rise of on-the-go consumption, and the expansion of e-commerce. Flexible packaging, which includes materials such as films, pouches, and bags, has become a popular choice in a variety of industries due to its lightweight, versatile, and cost-effective nature. The food and beverage industry stands as the dominant sector in the flexible packaging market, driven by the rising demand for ready-to-eat meals, snacks, beverages, and frozen foods. Flexible packaging is ideal for these products, as it offers superior protection from external factors like moisture, light, and air, which helps preserve the product’s freshness and extend its shelf life. The ability to customize flexible packaging in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs is another key benefit, allowing manufacturers to differentiate their products and appeal to consumers’ preferences. In addition to food and beverages, sectors such as personal care, household products, and pharmaceuticals have also increasingly adopted flexible packaging due to its practicality, lightweight nature, and cost-efficiency. Flexible packaging provides brands with a way to offer products in smaller, more manageable portions, such as single-serve sizes and resealable bags, which cater to consumers' busy lifestyles. The expanding e-commerce industry has further fueled the demand for flexible packaging, as products require packaging solutions that are durable enough to withstand the shipping process and offer easy storage for consumers. As online shopping continues to grow in popularity, flexible packaging remains a critical component of the packaging landscape in the United States, ensuring that products are not only secure but also appeal to the consumers' need for convenience and portability. According to the research report "US Flexible Packaging Market Research Report, 2030," published by Actual Market Research, the US flexible packaging market is anticipated to grow at more than 3.97% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. Alongside its functional benefits, the U.S. flexible packaging market is increasingly focused on sustainability, driven by both consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives and growing regulations aimed at reducing plastic waste. Flexible packaging is seen as a more sustainable option compared to traditional rigid packaging, as it uses fewer raw materials, which leads to a reduction in overall packaging waste. In addition to this, flexible packaging is typically lighter, meaning that it also helps lower transportation costs and reduce the carbon footprint associated with moving products across the supply chain. The use of recyclable materials, such as certain types of films and pouches, has become more common in the market, with several manufacturers investing in technology to create more recyclable or compostable packaging options. A notable trend in the market is the increased use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in flexible packaging, which helps reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste. However, challenges remain in the widespread recycling of flexible packaging, as multi-layer structures and certain plastic films can be difficult to process in existing recycling infrastructure. To address this issue, packaging companies have been working on improving the recyclability of flexible packaging, by using mono-material designs that are easier to recycle and by exploring biodegradable or compostable alternatives. Government regulations, such as bans on single-use plastics and other measures to reduce plastic waste, have also pushed manufacturers to adopt more sustainable practices. The rising environmental awareness among consumers is also influencing purchasing decisions, with many consumers preferring products that come in environmentally responsible packaging. As sustainability continues to be a central focus for both manufacturers and consumers, the flexible packaging market in the U.S. is expected to continue evolving, with innovations in materials, design, and recycling technologies helping to shape the future of packaging in an environmentally-conscious world.

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The flexible packaging market in the USA is segmented by product type, which includes pouches, bags, wraps, films, and other specialized packaging solutions. Pouches are the most commonly used form of flexible packaging due to their versatility and convenience, especially in the food and beverage industry. Stand-up pouches are particularly popular for snacks, baby food, and ready-to-eat meals because they can maintain their shape on store shelves and provide excellent product visibility. They are also cost-effective for shipping due to their light weight and space-saving features. Flat pouches are widely used for packaging products such as liquid detergents, pet food, and cosmetics. These pouches are efficient for both production and transportation, making them an attractive choice for a variety of products. Bags are also a significant segment in the flexible packaging market, used for packaging food items like rice, flour, and sugar, as well as non-food items such as pet food and laundry detergents. The demand for bulk packaging and the increasing trend toward more sustainable solutions have spurred the growth of the bag segment. Wraps are thin sheets of material used to cover products, typically in the candy, chocolate, and fresh produce sectors. The lightweight nature of wraps, along with their ability to preserve freshness, makes them an ideal choice for packaging individual items. Films are essential in flexible packaging as they are used for a broad range of applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Their ability to preserve product freshness, offer tamper resistance, and suit high-speed automated packaging systems makes them particularly valuable for manufacturers. Other forms of flexible packaging, such as sachets, stick packs, and liners, are also gaining popularity for single-serve applications, particularly in food, beverages, and healthcare products. The material types used in flexible packaging in the USA vary based on product needs, sustainability concerns, and performance requirements. Plastic remains the dominant material used in flexible packaging due to its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The most common plastics used include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PE is widely used for packaging food items such as milk, snacks, and produce due to its strength, moisture resistance, and flexibility. It is also a popular choice for creating flexible films and bags. PP, on the other hand, is known for its resistance to freezing temperatures, making it ideal for packaging frozen foods and certain types of candies and snacks. PET, often used for beverage containers, offers excellent clarity, strength, and recyclability, making it a favorite for beverage packaging. In addition to plastic, paper is gaining traction in flexible packaging due to its sustainability benefits. Paper is biodegradable, recyclable, and provides a natural aesthetic that is attractive to environmentally conscious consumers. Paper packaging is commonly used for bakery products, organic foods, and various food items that need a more natural look. Aluminum foil also plays a crucial role in flexible packaging, particularly in applications where excellent barrier properties are needed to protect products from moisture, air, and light. Aluminum foil is often used in snack bags, coffee packages, and ready-to-eat meals due to its ability to preserve freshness and extend shelf life. The increasing focus on sustainability has spurred the use of bioplastics and other environmentally friendly materials such as polyolefin and cellulose. These materials are biodegradable and recyclable, offering a more sustainable alternative for packaging products, particularly in sectors like food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care. Other materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyamide are also used in flexible packaging for applications where additional strength, clarity, and flexibility are required. These various materials are chosen based on the specific needs of the product being packaged, along with considerations related to cost, performance, and environmental impact. Considered in this report • Historic year: 2019 • Base year: 2024 • Estimated year: 2025 • Forecast year: 2030

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Nikita Jabrela

Business Development Manager

Aspects covered in this report • Flexible Packaging market with its value and forecast along with its segments • Various drivers and challenges • On-going trends and developments • Top profiled companies • Strategic recommendation Types of Material in the report: • Plastic • Paper • Aluminum Foil • Others By End-Use in the report: • Food • Beverages • Pharmaceuticals • Personal care • Others

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Types of Packaging in the report: • Bags • Wraps • Pouches • Others The approach of the report: This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources. Intended audience This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Flexible Packaging industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.