Active Packaging Market Size & Forecast

The Active Packaging Market is expected to reach $35.7 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2031.The growth of this market can be attributed to several factors, such as the rising demand for longer lasting and sustainable packaging products, the rising adoption of active packaging in the food & beverages sector, and the increasing demand for fresh and quality packaged food. Moreover, the increasing adoption of active packaging in the healthcare & pharmaceutical sector is expected to offer growth opportunities for the players operating in this market.

Active Packaging Market Growth Drivers

Rising Adoption of Active Packaging in the Food & Beverages Sector is Driving the Growth of the Market

Modern-day consumer habits for food and beverages have changed drastically, and the demand for food products has increased significantly, which is expected to drive the demand for active packing for packed food products. Active packaging is an essential component of the F&B supply chain, ensuring that products are delivered to retailers and consumers in good condition.

Active packaging technologies help extend the shelf life of perishable food and beverage products by controlling factors such as oxygen levels, moisture content, and microbial growth. This not only reduces food waste but also allows manufacturers to expand their distribution reach and offer products with longer expiration dates. Also, active packaging helps preserve the freshness, flavor, texture, and nutritional value of food and beverage products by minimizing exposure to factors that contribute to deterioration, such as oxygen, light, and moisture. This results in higher-quality products that meet consumer expectations for taste and appearance. Thus, the benefits offered by the food & beverages sector, such as extended shelf life, enhanced food safety, reduced food waste, cost savings, preservation of aroma and flavor of food products, and improved food quality, contribute to the market growth.

Active Packaging Market Opportunity

Increasing Adoption of Active Packaging in the Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Sector

In recent years, especially considering the surge in the international business of pharmaceutical products, the need for transporting specialized pharmaceutical products has risen considerably. Active packaging is very helpful in efficient storage and easy handling and supports decreasing the chances of product contamination. It protects the product from physical damage as well as biological degradation. Also, active packaging solutions help maintain product stability and extend shelf life by providing barrier properties, controlling moisture levels, and preventing degradation caused by exposure to external elements.

Thus, the increasing demand for active packaging in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector reflects a growing emphasis on product quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and patient-centricity. As technology continues to advance and market needs evolve, active packaging solutions will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the integrity, efficacy, and safety of healthcare products while enhancing the overall patient experience.

Active Packaging Market Trend

Advancement in Bio-based Active Packaging

Advancements in bio-based active packaging, such as using pullulan for fruits & vegetables, are emerging as a critical trend for market growth. Pullulan is a water-soluble and microbial polysaccharide glucan gum. It is produced aerobically using biodegradable and non-toxic fungus. It has gained traction recently due to its wide usage in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. Several film-forming and oxygen barrier characteristics offered by Pullulan make it suitable for functional biomolecules, thereby boosting market growth. The rising demand for fresh fruits and vegetables due to the adoption of a healthy lifestyle is providing new opportunities for this market to grow. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties and film-coting preservatives in pullulan increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. They also prevent food spoilages, nutrient loss, and microbial growth, hence emerging as an important trend in the market. Also, several leading key players are taking initiatives to support the market growth. For instance, in January 2024, Sealed Air Corporation (U.S.) launched the first biobased, industrial compostable tray for protein packaging. This product is made from biobased, food-contact grade resin, which is USDA-certified as having 54% biobased content chemically derived from renewable wood cellulose. Such developments are expected to support the growth of this market in the coming years.

Active Packaging Market Analysis: Key Findings

By Type: In 2024, the Gas Scavengers/Emitters Segment to Dominate the Active Packaging Market

In 2024, the gas scavengers/emitters segment is expected to account for the largest share of 26.0% of the active packaging market. The segment’s large share is attributed to the rising need to extend the shelf life of products, growing product safety concerns, growing adoption of ethylene scavengers in the transportation and storage sector, and rising adoption of oxygen seveners in food products such as bread, cakes, meat, and cheese packaging. In addition, the benefits offered by the gas scavengers/emitters segment, such as extended shelf life, preservation of freshness, reduced food waste, enhanced safety, controlled ripening, and improved product quality, contribute to this segment's growth. Also, this segment is projected to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2031.

By Application: In 2024, the Food & Beverages Segment to Dominate the Active Packaging Market.

In 2024, the food & beverages segment is expected to account for the largest share of 30.0% of the active packaging market. The segment’s large share is attributed to the increasing consumer awareness regarding food safety, rising demand for convenient and sustainable packaging solutions, the increasing need to extend the shelf life of F&B products, and the increasing demand for hygienic food packaging. In addition, the benefits offered by the food & beverages segment, such as extended shelf life, enhanced food safety, reduced food waste, cost savings, preservation of aroma and flavor of food products, and improved food quality, contribute to this segment's growth.

However, the healthcare & pharmaceutical segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2031. The growing consumer awareness regarding healthier lifestyles, the rising need to maintain the quality, safety, and efficiency of pharmaceutical products, growing healthcare expenditures in emerging economies, and the rising demand for active packaging to extend the shelf life of medications, such as vitamins or lipid-based formulations are expected to support the growth of this segment.

Geographical Analysis

In 2024, Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Active Packaging Market

In 2024, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of 34.0% of the active packaging market. Asia-Pacific’s large market share is attributed to the surging use of active packaging in the region’s food & beverage sector, the growing need for eco-friendly packaging solutions, and rising consumer awareness to enhance product safety.

In addition, the presence of prominent players offering active packaging supports market growth. For instance, in December 2022, Amcor plc (Australia),a global leader in packaging solutions, opened its new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Huizhou, China. With an investment of almost USD 100 million, the 590,000-square-foot plant is the largest flexible packaging plant by production capacity in China, further strengthening Amcor’s ability to meet growing customer demand throughout Asia Pacific.

Moreover, Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR of 9.0% during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this regional market is attributed to the growth in regional economies and the expanding e-commerce sector, especially in China, Japan, South Korea, and India.

Active Packaging Market: Key Companies

The report offers a competitive analysis based on an extensive assessment of the leading players’ product portfolios, geographic presence, and key growth strategies adopted in the last 3–4 years. Some of the key players operating in the active packaging market are Amcor plc (Australia), Ball Corporation (U.S.), Sealed Air Corporation (U.S.), WestRock Company (U.S.), Desiccare, Inc. (U.S.), Crown Holdings, Inc. (U.S.), Microbeguard Corporation (U.S.), AptarGroup, Inc. (U.S.), Amelco Desiccants Inc. (Philippines), Amerplast Ltd. (Finland), DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (U.S.), and Cilicant Private Limited. (India).

Active Packaging Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In March 2024, Aptar CSP Technologies, part of AptarGroup, Inc. (U.S.),collaborated with ProAmpac (U.S.) to launch a new active material science packaging solution. This next-generation platform technology combines Aptar CSP’s proprietary 3‐Phase Activ‐Polymer technology with ProAmpac’s flexible blown film technology to deliver a patent pending moisture adsorbing flexible packaging solution.

• In December 2022, BASF SE (Germany) partnered with StePac Ltd. (Israel) to develop sustainable packaging for extending the shelf life of fresh produce.

Active Packaging Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the active packaging market report: