Metalized Flexible Packaging Market Size, By Material Type (Aluminum Foil, Metalized Films, ALOX/SIOX PP & PET), By Structure (Laminated Structures, Mono-Extruded Structures), By Packaging Type, By End Use & Forecast, 2024 – 2032

Metalized Flexible Packaging Market Size

Metalized Flexible Packaging Market was valued at USD 13.8 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 5% between 2024 and 2032. With the rapid growth in the food & beverages industry, there is an increasing focus on flexible packaging solutions.
 

Metalized flexible packaging solution caters to the rising demand for ready-to-eat products such as snacks and convenience food. The packaging solution helps in keeping the food fresh while offering the necessary barrier properties. It ensures that the packaged food & beverages are safe for an extended period.
 

For instance, in March 2024, Lecta brought Metalvac FP, a metallized paper designed for flexible packaging applications that do not require any specific barrier properties. The product is suitable for final applications such as chocolate and ice cream cone wrappers and other food packaging applications without barrier requirement.
 

Flexible packaging solutions in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors are witnessing a growth with rising requirements among consumers. Flexible packaging is beneficial with respect to the traditional methods of packaging as it is lightweight, requires minimum resource to produce, and involves versatility based on the customers’ requirements. Apart from reducing the environmental impact, the metalized flexible packaging solution supports the companies in reducing the packaging cost.
 

Companies, such as Cosmo Films, are adapting to the newer form of applied sciences to improve the performance of flexible packaging in the pharmaceutical sector. The focus on R&D powers the innovation capabilities for the creation of advanced materials, including multi-layer films with superior barrier properties, enabling pharmaceutical products to be well-protected against external factors and maintaining efficacy and integrity throughout the entire supply chain.
 

The metalized films are highly valued in packaging due to their excellent barrier properties for oxygen, moisture, and light but they remain less flexible with respect to the multi-layer barrier films. It is important to check whether the packaged products have pinholes or smaller cracks. The packaged food or beverages need to be kept fresh, and for this, flexible packaging must also adhere to the standards based on the uniformity and thickness of the film layer. Any imperfection in the packaging spoils the lot or reduces the packaging effectiveness.
 

Metalized Flexible Packaging Market Trends

The rising concerns about the packaging of the products show that there is an increasing demand for new design and development of the packaged products, ensuring safety during their shelf-life cycle. Organizations are working on and developing new materials to provide a flexible packaging option for addressing the customers’ needs and aesthetic appearance as well. They are looking for materials that are easier to recycle in comparison to other multi-layer films. The mono materials structure or the homogeneity helps in simplifying the process of recycling and making it environment friendly.
 

For instance, in January 2024, Saica Flex, Saica Group’s division for flexible packaging, successfully developed a new mono-material, metalized structure. This cutting-edge development was designed to cater to a wide variety of products. Saica Group's flexible packaging division has successfully developed a new metallized MonoPE triplex structure; a mono-material pack, with a premium metallized appearance, high barrier, versatile, and adapted to customer needs.
 

There is a rising shift toward circular economy wherein the products used for making packages are reused and recycled easily. Ecofriendly packages are gaining momentum, serving the purpose of keeping the items safe and reducing the burden on environment. Developing materials to withstand heat and other related factors in order to improve the shelf life of the concerned product is the current requirement of various food and non-food sectors. For instance, in June 2024, Parkside Flexibles announced the expansion of the existing portfolio of sustainable flexible packaging options with the introduction of a new recyclable metalized barrier paper solution. The new paper range offers enhanced printability, heat resistivity, and barrier performance from moisture, light, and oxygen, which can spoil the products.
 

Metalized Flexible Packaging Market Analysis

Based on material type, the market is segmented into aluminum foil, metalized films, ALOX/SIOX PP & PET, and others. Metalized films dominated the market in 2023 and are expected to reach over USD 6.5 billion by 2032.
 

• Metalized films have gained significant traction in the market due to their barrier properties, aesthetic appeal toward the customers, and effectiveness after applying. Films tailored for packaging dry fruits, beverages, chips, snacks, biscuits, cookies, and other confectionery and chocolate items are tested with metalized films.
   
• With the rising trends of consumers buying products through online shopping, the e-commerce sectors look for a better packaging solution to meet the specific consumer demand and have an appealing factor in brands differentiation. The film layer is vital in various industries, such as pharmaceutical and food industries, where barrier potential needs to be high.

Based on end-use type, the market is segmented into food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics & personal care, and others. The food & beverage segment represents the fastest growing segment, with a CAGR of over 5.5% between 2024 and 2032.
 

• There is a growing demand for metalized flexible packaging, which is made from recycled and biodegradable materials. To reduce the environmental footprint, organizations are shifting toward lighter materials and using certain new technologies of atomic layer deposition for the enhancement of the barrier properties.
   
• In food & beverages industry, there is incorporation of transparent windows within metalized flexible packaging to provide a visual appeal to customers and create unique shapes specifically tailored to different types of products and customer needs

The metalized flexible packaging market is experiencing an unprecedent growth in Asia Pacific and is expected to reach USD 7 billion by 2032. The Asia Pacific region is highly lucrative within the metalized flexible packaging solution with the advent of urbanization and industrialization in key countries such as China, Japan, and India. South-East Asian countries are demanding more sustainable packaging option and less waste. Considering the rising challenges in logistics, the countries are developing solutions with lightweight packages and durability to withstand light and heat.
 

North America is continuously adopting and developing new technologies for the packaged solution requirement. There is a stronger focus on new coating and materials that can serve the purpose of the safety of packaged items and improve the shelf life. To meet the consumers’ demands and regulatory standards, there is a push toward sustainable flexible packaging options for packaging.
 

Metalized Flexible Packaging Market Share

Amcor Group GmbH and Mondi Group together held over 12% share of the metalized flexible packaging industry in 2023. Amcor Group GmbH is proficient in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions for various food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home and personal-care, and other related products. It has deep expertise and brings together the best in packaging design, science, manufacturing, and people to help the business grow.
 

Mondi Group has presence in more than 30 countries and deliberately focuses on packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Mondi’s employees work across 100 production sites and develop solutions that are highly efficient in the barrier factors for the protection of goods.
 

Metalized Flexible Packaging Market Companies

Major players operating in the metalized flexible packaging industry are:

• Amcor Plc
• Mondi Group
• Sealed Air Corporation
• Mondi Group
• Huhtamaki Group
• Sonoco Products Company
   

Metalized Flexible Packaging Industry News

• In May 2023, Uflex Company’s packaging films division launched the metalized high barrier easy tear polyester (F-ETB-M) film to address the barrier requirements of different pouches and packaging applications while enabling easy-to-tear package properties from both directions. The oxygen barrier of this film makes it suitable for packaging items such as mouth fresheners, tea sachets, confectionary items, biscuits, and multiple pharma and medical products.
   
• In August 2023, Amcor announced the agreement to acquire Phoenix Flexibles, expanding its capacity in the high-growth India market. The aim was to develop a substantial flexible packaging solution and cater to the needs and demands of the consumers in the flexible packaging section.
   

The metalized flexible packaging market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD million) from 2024 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Material Type

• Aluminum foil
• Metalized films
• ALOX/SIOX PP & PET
• Others

Market, By Structure

• Laminated structures
• Mono-extruded structures
• Other structures

Market, By Packaging Type

• Pouches
• Bags
• Wraps
• Labels
• Laminates
• Rollstock
• Other

Market, By End-Use

• Food & beverage
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics & personal care
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA