Stand-up Pouches Market Size & Forecast

The Stand-up Pouches Market is expected to reach $52.1 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2031. The growth of the stand-up pouches market is primarily driven by the rising demand for packaged food & beverage products and the increasing demand for flexible packaging solutions. However, stringent government regulations for plastic packaging products restrain the growth of this market. Furthermore, consumers’ changing lifestyles & food preferences and technological advancements in packaging materials are expected to generate opportunities for market growth. However, the increased focus on waste recycling & management and the availability of alternative packaging options are major challenges in the stand-up pouches market.

Stand-up Pouches Market Growth Drivers

Rising Demand for Packaged Food & Beverage Products

Over the last decade, there has been a rapid increase in the production and consumption of packaged foods globally. The demand for packaged food is growing rapidly due to increasing urbanization and growth in the working population with busy schedules. In addition, the demand for non-alcoholic drinks, such as bottled water, milk, soft drinks, energy drinks, and carbonated drinks, is also growing rapidly.

Stand-up pouches are tightly sealable pouches that are ideal for storing food and beverages due to their stability and barrier properties. Stand-up pouches are becoming an increasingly popular choice among brand owners for a wide range of products. They are an excellent alternative to other traditional packaging options, such as cardboard boxes, plastic pots, tubs, and glass jars, and offer many unique benefits.

Therefore, consumers’ dynamic lifestyles and the consequent dependence on packaged food & beverages are also driving the sales of beverage packaging products such as stand-up pouches.

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Increasing Demand for Flexible Packaging Solutions

Flexible packaging is any packaging or packaging part whose shape can readily be changed during filling or use. Flexible packaging is produced from paper, plastic, film, aluminum foil, or a combination of these materials and includes bags, pouches, liners, wraps, roll stock, and other flexible products.

The increasing demand for Fast-moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), the growth in E-commerce and food delivery services, the rising consumer focus on convenience and sustainability, increasing food losses and waste, and the need to reduce packaging material usage are key factors driving the demand for flexible packaging. Thus, the increasing demand for flexible packaging solutions is expected to drive the stand-up pouches market during the forecast period.

Stand-up Pouches Market Growth Challenges

Increased Focus on Waste Recycling & Management

One of the primary challenges in the stand-up pouches market is the difficulty in recycling certain multi-layered structures commonly used in pouch manufacturing. Recycling multi-layer packaging has always been a tremendous challenge because it can include as many as 11 individual, ultra-thin layers. These layers typically include PE/PA and PP/PET films along with aluminum, paper, and printed layers, with each layer having a specific function in forming a lightweight package structure that provides barrier properties, strength, and storage stability.

Multi-layered Packaging (MLP) cannot be recycled due to its complicated structure and the presence of non-plastic components. Recycling MLP is nearly impossible, unlike regular plastic materials such as carry bags and PET bottles. Hence, most multi-layer packaging structures are presently sent to landfills or incinerated.

Thus, the complexity of such flexible packaging materials can pose challenges in the recycling process, contributing to environmental concerns. Efforts are being made to address these issues; however, until effective solutions are extensively implemented, concerns about ecological impacts may limit market growth.

Stand-up Pouches Market Growth Trends

Rising Demand for Custom Stand-up Pouches

Innovation is a constant pursuit in the packaging landscape. Manufacturers and businesses are always on the lookout for packaging solutions that not only protect their products but also enhance their brand image and consumer appeal. Custom stand-up pouches have emerged as a versatile and popular choice in the packaging industry, offering a myriad of benefits that go beyond traditional packaging formats.

Stand-up pouch customization is one of the greatest strengths of this type of packaging. Thousands of possible combinations can be achieved, making it easy to create unique offerings that fit products perfectly. Examples of stand-up pouch customization include material color, pouch style, printed graphics, pouch material, seal type, pouch bottom, size & dimensions, opaqueness, outer finish, gussets & openings, pouch valves, spouts & caps, punched handles, and pouch windows.

One of the standout advantages of custom stand-up pouches is their design flexibility. Businesses can tailor the pouches to suit brand aesthetics, ensuring they are visually appealing and reflective of the product inside. Custom stand-up pouches are space-efficient, both during storage and transport, and are engineered to provide excellent product protection. All these benefits are driving the demand for custom stand-up pouches.

Stand-up Pouches Market Analysis: Key Findings

By Material: The Plastic Segment to Dominate the Stand-up Pouches Market in 2024

Based on material, the stand-up pouches market is segmented into plastic, foil, paper, and bioplastic. In 2024, the plastic segment is expected to account for the largest share of over 43.0% of the stand-up pouches market. The segment’s large share is attributed to the benefits of plastic, such as durability, cost-effectiveness, light weight, and lower shipping costs compared to other materials.

However, the bioplastic segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth in this segment is driven by growing consumer awareness about environmental concerns, dynamic regulatory standards, and the ongoing push toward sustainability, which includes replacing plastic-based packaging products with biodegradable materials.

By Closure Type: The Zipper Segment to Dominate the Stand-up Pouches Market in 2024

Based on closure type, the stand-up pouches market is segmented into tear notch, spout, zipper, and slider. In 2024, the zipper segment is expected to account for the largest share of over 36.0% of the stand-up pouches market. The segment’s large share is attributed to the rising need to prevent stored items from coming into direct contact with air and protect products from dust, humidity, and other pollutants, and the increasing consumer demand for easily resealable pouches.

However, the spout segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is driven by benefits such as convenience, ease of use, and improved product protection, coupled with the increasing use of spout packaging to store, transport, and dispense various liquids, pastes, and powders.

By End User: The Food & Beverage Segment to Dominate the Stand-up Pouches Market in 2024

Based on end user, the stand-up pouches market is broadly segmented into food & beverage, beauty & personal care, agriculture, chemicals, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, automotive, and other end users. In 2024, the food & beverage segment is expected to account for the largest share of over 40.0% of the stand-up pouches market. The segment’s large share is attributed to the increasing use of stand-up pouches for packaging food products such as ready-to-eat meals, breakfast cereals, grains, gourmet products, frozen fruits & vegetables, and frozen fruit pulp, and beverage products such as flavored juices, energy drinks, tea, and coffee, and the growing focus of market players on developing clear stand-up pouches to preserve food quality and enhance product appeal.

However, the beauty & personal care segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is driven by the rising consumer spending on beauty & personal care products and the increasing use of stand-up pouches by beauty & personal care product manufacturers to protect items from contamination, light, air, and temperature variations and reduce product waste with longer secondary shelf life and maximum product evacuation.

Geographic Analysis

Based on geography, the stand-up pouches market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2024, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of over 42.0% of the stand-up pouches market. Asia-Pacific’s large share is attributed to the growing food processing and retail sectors, changing lifestyles, increasing demand for convenient packaging, rapid urbanization, and increasing consumer spending power in the region.

Moreover, Asia-Pacific is also expected to record the highest CAGR of over 9.0% during the forecast period. The growth of this regional market is driven by market players’ increasing focus on introducing sustainable packaging solutions to fulfill market needs. For instance, in February 2022, Shako Flexipack Pvt. Ltd. (India) introduced a jumbo 5-liter stand-up pouch for food and non-food applications. The product offers better shelf life, is more environmentally friendly, and is lightweight and cost-effective.

Stand-up Pouches 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 stand-up pouches market are Amcor plc (Switzerland), Mondi plc (U.K.), Smurfit Kappa Group plc (Ireland), Sonoco Products Company (U.S.), Coveris Group (U.K.), ProAmpac (U.S.), Berry Global Group, Inc. (U.S.), Huhtamaki (Finland), Constantia Flexibles (Austria), Winpak Ltd. (Canada), Bischof+Klein SE & Co. KG (Germany), FLAIR Flexible Packaging Corporation (U.S.), Glenroy, Inc. (U.S.), and Uflex Limited (India).       

Stand-up Pouches Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In March 2023, COLINES (Italy) partnered with TotalEnergies (France) to create unlaminated recyclable stand-up pouches suitable for food-contact applications.

• In August 2022, Flexible Pouches (U.S.) launched clear stand-up pouches that keep food quality intact while presenting items most appealingly.

• In June 2022, Mondi plc (U.K.), a global leader in packaging and paper, partnered with Japanese consumer goods manufacturer Kao to create a recyclable, lightweight packaging solution for its Goldwell hair-lightening products.
• In June 2022, Sihl (Germany) launched Artysio, an innovative packaging film for premade, individually printable stand-up pouches. The film has been developed for both ‘print and pack’ and ‘pack and print’ production methods.
• In May 2021, Glenroy Inc. (U.S.), a leading sustainable, flexible packaging company, and Walex Products Company (U.S.) announced the availability of industry-first recyclable stand-up pouches for the residential septic tank treatment market.

Stand-up Pouches Market Research Summary

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