Vacuum Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Plastic {Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyamide, Ethylene-vinyl alcohol, Other}, Paperboard, and Others), By Product Type (Films, Bags & Pouches, Trays, Others), By Application (Food {Meat, Poultry & Seafood, Ready-to-eat Meals, Dairy Products, Bakery Products, Produce, Others}, Healthcare, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global vacuum packaging market size was valued at USD 29.58 billion in 2023 and is projected to be worth USD 31.16 billion in 2024 and reach USD 50.04 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.10% during the forecast period. North America dominated the vacuum packaging market with a market share of 34.52% in 2023. Moreover, the vacuum packaging market in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 14.73 billion by 2032, driven by the rising demand for dairy products for the vaccum skin packaging films and bags.

Vacuum packaging is an efficient, easy, and ideal way of packaging several foods and other products. This type of packaging is mainly used in commercial and residential applications for food preservation as it removes air from a package prior to sealing. The rising utilization of vacuum bags and films to protect food products, such as meat, poultry, seafood, and others, is a major factor contributing to the market’s growth. In addition, the introduction of advanced technologies that enhance product protection will drive the global vacuum packaging market share.

The sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had a crucial impact on the food packaging sector. However, the rising demand for online food delivery encouraged the utilization of vacuum films, trays, and pouches to ensure overall product protection. The increase in usage of these solutions for food safety and shelf life maintenance during transportation fueled the market growth during the pandemic.

Vacuum Packaging Market Trends

Advancements in Packaging Technologies for Food Products to Emerge as Major Market Trend

The increasing advancements in several food packaging technologies are a major factor accelerating the market growth. Advancements, such as vacuum packaging machinery, modified atmosphere packaging, reduced oxygen packaging, and many others are crucial in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the packaging process.

Moreover, the implementation of automation and intelligent packaging solutions will also contribute to the trend. An active film-based technology developed with antibacterial components from natural sources is also used in vacuum skin packaging for seafood products. Intelligent food packaging by using multisensory analysis is becoming the next-generation technology of food packaging and emerging as a key trend for the market’s growth.

Vacuum Packaging Market Growth Factors

Increasing Demand for Packaged Food and Meat Products to Support Market Growth

The increased demand for packaged food among the working population worldwide is a major factor contributing to the utilization of vacuum films and pouches, further propelling the market growth. The rising consumer awareness regarding food safety and hygiene is also driving the market progress. Vacuum packing solutions keep the food safe, enhance its freshness & quality, and minimize bacterial development. Packaged food majorly uses such packaging solutions, and the growing demand for these food items will drive market growth.

In addition, the huge demand for meat products globally will also encourage the market growth. According to a recent report from Our World in Data, the global demand for meat has been growing rapidly in recent years. In 2022, the global meat production rose to 355.46 million tons. The rising consumption of meat products is fostering the utilization of vacuum films and boosting the global vacuum packaging market growth.

Noteworthy Benefits Offered by Vacuum Films & Bags to Propel Market Growth

Vacuum packaging is a cost-effective packaging solution for food and healthcare products. It offers several benefits, and has gained immense traction in the food manufacturing sector. The absence of oxygen in a vacuum bag constrains the growth of bacterial and fungal organisms, helping the food last longer.

Additionally, as the oxygen is removed from the packaged item, the space occupied is reduced, which results in the shipping of more products during each transit. In this way, businesses can save transport costs. This type of packaging also provides an excellent barrier against moisture and air, and the packaged products are clear and visible to consumers. The rising demand from the food packaging industry, especially for meat and dairy products due to such significant benefits, is contributing to the global market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Rising Risks of Bacterial Growth in Packaged Food to Impede Market Growth

Vacuum packaging removes oxygen from the packaged food. Although the bacteria that increase the risk of food spoilage or create molds cannot grow in such packaging, some pathogenic bacteria can. Clostridium botulinum (botulinum toxins) can easily survive without oxygen. The toxin is dangerous, leads to an illness known as botulism, and is life threatening. Various vacuum seal manufacturers highly recommend avoiding using vacuum films and bags for packaging fresh mushrooms, garlic, or onions due to the possible growth of botulinum toxins. The rising risks of bacterial growth in such vacuum-packaged food products are a major factor limiting the market growth. Moreover, as these bags are sealed tightly by removing air, opening such bags is difficult due to no perforations, further impeding the market development.

Vacuum Packaging Market Segmentation Analysis

By Material Analysis

Excellent Benefits of Plastic Material Boosts Its Market Dominance

Based on material, the market is segmented into plastic, paperboard, and others. Plastic is the dominating segment and is expected to showcase noteworthy growth in the forthcoming years. This material provides potential benefits, such as transparency, high flexibility, thermoformability, and shrink properties, which will boost its use in vacuum packaging. The excellent flexibility provided by plastic material is ideal for packing irregularly shaped items at fit according to the product's contours. The material serves as an excellent barrier against moisture, air, and odor, and safeguards the integrity of the food items, further leading to the segment’s growth.

Paperboard is the second-leading segment and is analyzed to display steady growth in the coming years. The growing sustainable packaging trend is fostering the demand for paperboard packaging products and contributing to the segment’s growth.

By Product Type Analysis

Augmenting Demand for Ensuring Food Safety Boosts Adoption of Bags & Pouches

Based on product type, the market is segmented into films, bags & pouches, trays, and others. The bags & pouches segment is dominating the market and is expected to grow massively over the forecast period. In bags and pouches, vacuum helps press the package against the food and improves heat transfer, thus offering freshness and preserving the taste. Moreover, these bags provide excellent sealing properties and high filling rates, which eliminates costs. The augmenting demand for vacuum bags and pouches by the food industry for packaging dairy products, seafood, bakery products, and other items will support the segment’s growth.

Films are the second-dominating segment in the market. The rising demand for and utilization of vacuum films to package meat, ready-to-eat meals, and dairy products is majorly contributing to the segment’s growth.

By Application Analysis

Increasing Consumption of Meat and Dairy Items Enhances Product Demand

Based on application, the market is divided into food, healthcare, and others. Food is the dominant application segment, accounting for the highest market share. Vacuum packaging is utilized to pack various food products, such as meat, seafood, agricultural produce, ready-to-eat meals, cheese, and others as it protects them from external contaminants, such as moisture, odor, and air. The rising consumption of meat and dairy products will enhance the demand for vacuum skin films and pouches to preserve their quality and safety, leading to the segment’s growth. Vacuum skin films are crucial in extending the shelf life of food products, further aiding the segment’s growth.

Healthcare is the second-dominating application segment. Various tablets, capsules, and injections are vacuum-sealed to prevent bacterial growth, maintain integrity, and protect against degradation caused by oxygen, thus driving the segment’s growth.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America is the dominating region of the global vacuum packaging market. The region is at the forefront of technological advancements, such as vacuum packaging, thereby boosting the market growth. In addition, the rising demand for dairy products has boosted the need for vacuum skin packaging films and bags, further contributing to the regional market’s growth. For instance, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in 2022, the consumption of dairy products reached 653 pounds per person, out of which cheese consumption hit a record high of 42 pounds per capita.

Asia Pacific is the second-dominant region and is predicted to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The growing meat & dairy industry in the region is a major contributor to the regional market’s growth. Meat consumption in the region is rising due to factors, such as higher income and dietary changes. According to Nikkei Asia, Asia Pacific is projected to account for 52% of the global meat trade by 2030, further aiding the market’s growth in the region.

Europe is the third-leading region and will grow exponentially in the coming years. The rising investments in research & development activities, continuous product innovations, and growing demand for packaged food products will drive the market growth in the region.

Latin America will foresee significant growth due to the working population's rising demand for meat, poultry, and ready-to-eat meals.

The Middle Eastern & Africa will experience steady growth due to the rising demand for meat products, such as beef and poultry in major countries.

List of Key Companies in Vacuum Packaging Market

Key Market Participants to Launch New Products to Improve Their Market Position

The global packaging market is highly competitive and fragmented due to the presence of well-established and emerging companies. A few reputed market players are holding a dominant share of the market as they are providing customers with innovative packaging solutions in the packaging sector. These major players are constantly focusing on expanding their customer base across regions by bringing innovation in their current lineup of products.

Major players in the market include Amcor, Sealed Air Corporation, Coveris, Klöckner Pentaplast, Winpak Ltd., ProAmpac, and others. Numerous other companies operating in this market are focused on the current market scenarios and delivering advanced packaging solutions.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Amcor (Switzerland)


• Sealed Air (U.S.)


• Coveris (Austria)


• Klöckner Pentaplast (Luxembourg)


• Winpak Ltd. (Canada)


• ProAmpac (U.S.)


• Graphic Packaging International (U.S.)


• Dow (U.S.)


• Plastopil (Israel)


• Green Packaging Material (Jiangyin) Co., Ltd. (China)


• Swisspac Packaging (India)


• Sealer Sales, Inc. (U.S.)


• Polybags Packaging Group Ltd. (U.K.)


• Flexipol (U.K.)


• Allfo GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2023 – Coveris Holdings SA announced the launch of a new recyclable monoflex thermoform packaging film. The thermoform films are developed with high-performance mono-material. They fulfill the carbon footprint reduction goal, and can be used as a vacuum packaging product in food sectors.


• December 2023 – Südpack introduced Multifol Extreme packaging film for fish products. This product is an ideal solution for MAP & vacuum packaging, and offers optimal food protection despite it being thinner.


• July 2023 – Klöckner Pentaplast collaborated with Dow and launched a fully recyclable vacuum film, kp Flexivac. The film has a high tensile strength, which is ideal for bone-in cuts of fresh meat and poultry. It also has its superior hermetical seal, which customers can rely on for maximum food protection.


• May 2023 – Amcor acquired Moda Systems, which develops state-of-the-art protein packaging machines. The company also assembles, designs, and supports high-performance and innovative modular vacuum packaging solutions specifically for the poultry, meat, convenience foods, and dairy industries.


• July 2021 – Graphic Packaging International declared the launch of Ecoflex, a recyclable mono-polyethylene film for thermoformed applications. The film provides excellent puncture resistance, enhanced tear resistance, and is utilized for Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) or Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP).

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides a detailed market analysis and focuses on key aspects, such as top market players, competitive landscape, product/service types, market segmentation, porter’s five forces analysis, and leading segments of the product. Besides, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the abovementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the market’s growth in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation