November 2024
The global single-use pouches market is booming, poised for a revenue surge into the hundreds of millions from 2023 to 2034, driving a revolution in sustainable transportation.
The single-use pouches market is expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. The single-use pouches are designed for one-time use. These pouches are made-up of flexible materials like plastic, paper as well as combination of materials and come with features such as zippers, spouts or tear notches to improve its usability. They are commonly utilized across industries such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and household products, where convenience, portability and lightweight packaging are important. Single-use pouches can be utilized for products such as snack packs, sauces, personal care items and pharmaceutical doses. Due to their lightweight nature, they also reduce the transportation costs as well as environmental impact compared to the traditional rigid packaging.
The increasing demand for convenient, portable packaging in the food and beverage sector coupled with the busy lifestyles that push consumers towards on-the-go products is expected to augment the growth of the single-use pouches market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the advances in the flexible packaging technology like its barrier properties for improving the product shelf life and expansion of the applications of single-use pouches in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare is also anticipated to augment the growth of the market. Additionally, the urbanization and the growth of the middle class along with the rise in the single-serve packaging are also projected to contribute to the growth of the market in the near future. The global packaging industry size is estimated to grow from USD 1.20 trillion in 2022 to reach an estimated USD 1.58 trillion by 2032, growing at a 3.16% CAGR between 2023 and 2032.
The consumer demand for convenience is anticipated to augment the growth of the single-use pouches market during the forecast period. Many consumers feel short on time due to the constant demands of the modern lifestyles, which leads them to look for convenient as well as portable products that are compatible with their busy schedules. Fast, on-the-go products are becoming growing in popularity with working drinkers, specifically young adults, who are under pressure to meet the demands of more demanding schedules. As per the NACS/Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council report, almost 80% of the food and drink that is consumed at C-store is on the go. For the customers who are constantly on the go, retailers should provide a variety of single-serve, portable snacks and drinks. Single-use pouches are designed with features such as resealable zippers that help the consumers to eat the food on the go while also having the option of easily storing the leftovers. These pouches are extremely portable and make them appropriate for travelers and working professionals who value convenience over bulkier packing options.
Furthermore, the constant growth of the e-commerce is also likely to drive the demand for single-use pouches. The online retail sales of the U.S. for second quarter of 2024 reached $291.6 billion, up by 1.3% (± 0.7) over the 1st quarter of 2024, as per the data by the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce. Total retail sales in the Q2 2024 were $1,826.9 billion, a 0.5% increase as compared to the Q1 of 2024. While total retail sales climbed up by 2.1 percent (± 0.4) during the same period, the 2nd quarter 2024 e-commerce projection grew by 6.7% (± 1.2) over the second quarter 2023. In 2024, e-commerce sales contributed to 16.0 percent of overall sales in the 2nd quarter. The versatility and affordability of single-use pouches make them a popular choice for companies trying to improve their e-commerce operations while providing a productive, customer-focused experience, specifically as online shopping continues to grow.
Plastic has improved society in many ways and changed the daily living. However, two-thirds of the 430 million tonnes of the plastic that humans generate each year ends up as waste. An environmental disaster has been produced by a dependency to transient plastics. Approximately 23 million tons of the plastic debris enters aquatic environments annually, contaminating rivers, lakes, and oceans. About four percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are produced by the manufacture, consumption and disposal of plastics. According to the most severe goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, carbon emissions from the manufacture, consumption and disposal of traditional plastics derived from fossil fuels may contribute to about one-fifth of the global emission of greenhouse gases by 2040. Plastic is not biodegradable like other materials are. When discarded, it accumulates in the atmosphere until it comes to a crisis point as it may require up to 1,000 years to decompose.
Single-use pouches are not recyclable due to their multi-layered structure, which combines different plastics or materials to improve the durability and shelf life. This combination, however, complicates the recycling processes and limits the pouch’s sustainability. Furthermore, the pressure to reduce the plastic waste is prompting governments to implement regulations and policies that restrict the single-use plastic packaging. For example, in April 2024, the European Parliament adopted new EU packaging regulations to support sustainability and reduce the waste. Targets consist of reducing packaging by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040, with a focus on plastic waste. Also, ninety percent of the single-use drinking containers made-up of plastic and metal (up to three litres) must be gathered separately by 2029. This growing opposition to single-use plastics is anticipated to limit the market growth in the absence of eco-friendly alternatives.
The new product launches featuring recyclable materials is likely to create opportunity for the growth of the single-use pouches market in the years to come. This is owing to the growing consumer demand for sustainable products and increasing regulatory pressures. Thus, most of the companies are bringing recyclable packaging as it helps companies to meet these expectations, improve their brand image and gain a competitive edge by demonstrating environmental responsibility. For instance:
These launches could spur innovations in material science and create affordable recyclable materials that will maintain the durability and aesthetic appeal of the conventional plastic pouches. Such innovations can also reduce the manufacturing costs over time, making recyclable pouches more accessible across different market segments.
The stand-up pouches segment held considerable market share in 2023. For companies looking to give their packaging more variety, stand-up pouches prove to be an ideal option. The stand-up pouch that has been gaining popularity in the past few years, currently benefits thousands of product varieties. This kind of package design can be utilized in the food and beverage, medical, cosmetic and clothing industries, making it extremely adaptable for the consumers all over the world. Furthermore, since these pouches are portable and lightweight, they minimize the cost of the transportation for each order while also minimizing the carbon emissions by delivering multiple shipments at once. Pouches are an ideal way to lighten the load for firms who manage their own distribution and logistics. They use only a portion of the package space for storage when they are folded. These all factors are expected to contribute to the segmental growth of the market.
The food & beverages segment held the largest market share in 2023. This is attributable to the growing preference for ready-to-eat snacks, single-serve drinks and quick-preparation meal options. Furthermore, the expansion of the e-commerce and online food delivery platforms is also likely to support the segmental growth of the market within the estimated timeframe. Additionally, the rising disposable incomes and the expansion of the cold storage facilities as well as the rise in health consciousness has spurred interest in the organic, low-calorie and fortified food and beverage options and this is also likely to augment the growth of the segment within the estimated timeframe.
North America held considerable market share in 2023. This is due to the busy lifestyles and a preference for on-the-go products across the region. For instance, as per the 2024 Food & Health Survey by International Food Information Council, At least one snack is consumed daily by 74% of the Americans. In addition, more than fifty percent (56%) of Americans eat smaller meals or snack instead of conventional meals. Furthermore, the Increasing consumer and regulatory focus on sustainability is also expected to contribute to the regional growth of the market. Additionally, the advancements in the high-barrier films and resealable features and flexibility in pouch design is further anticipated to support the growth of the market in the region.
Asia Pacific is likely to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is owing to the rapidly urbanization and the rising middle class in countries like China, India, and Southeast Asian nations. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of e-commerce and food delivery services is also likely to contribute to the regional growth of the market. As per the data by the International Trade Administration, in 2020, China's online retail sales climbed to about $2 trillion. Within three years, revenues are expected to exceed $4 trillion. In China, there are approximately 710 million internet users. Within four years, this number is expected to climb to one billion. Additionally, the growth in the processed and packaged food sector is also anticipated to support the growth of the market in the region in the near future.
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Some of the key players in single-use pouches market include Amcor plc, Sealed Air Corporation, Berry Global Group Inc., Bemis Company Inc., Winpak Ltd., Coveris Holdings S.A., Ardagh Group S.A., Tetra Pak International S.A., Eagle Flexible Packaging, IMPAK Corporation, and Duropack Limited, among others.
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November 2024
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November 2024
Asmita Singh is a distinguished author and consultant in the packaging industry, recognized for her unwavering passion for knowledge discovery and her commitment to providing actionable insights. She holds an MBA from the University of Mumbai and a degree in Packaging Engineering from the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), equipping her with a solid foundation in both business and technical aspects of packaging. With extensive experience in packaging consulting, Asmita has successfully implemented advanced research methodologies across various packaging categories, including flexible packaging, rigid packaging, sustainable packaging, and smart packaging. She generates high-quality data and delivers meaningful results that drive innovation and efficiency. Her expertise spans the globe, offering valuable consulting services to businesses seeking to enhance their packaging strategies. Asmitas work is characterized by a dedication to excellence and a keen understanding of the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of packaging.
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