High Barrier Packaging Films Market Trends

Global High Barrier Packaging Films Market Overview

High Barrier Packaging Films Market Size was valued at USD 24836.26 Million in 2023. The High Barrier Packaging Films industry is projected to grow from USD 25963.89 Million in 2024 to USD 39636.57 Million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Significant demand in the food packaging industry, growing prevalence of high barrier packaging solutions in large retail chains, and significant demand in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry are driving the market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

High Barrier Packaging Films Market Trends

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  Growing prevalence of high barrier packaging solutions in large retail chains and Significant demand in the food packaging industry boost market growth.

  
  

The demand for high-barrier packaging film is advancing due to the increasing domination of large retail chains in emerging and developed national markets. It allows the expansion of the market for packed food, emphasizing cost regulation and shelf life extension. The domestic supermarkets and hypermarkets are expanding their operational facilities across various cities in emerging countries and hold a major share in selling food and beverages among varied aged groups. Global retail chains are also investing in new outlets in developing markets, which further aims to increase barrier packaging mandate. Consumers are favoring supermarkets and hypermarkets due to the high availability and diversification of product ranges. Moreover, the number of discount stores and private label products has evolved in recent years, empowering the economic or lower incomes to purchase packaged food and beverages at more reasonable charges.

High consumption of non-vegetarian eatables such as fish, poultry, and meat has predominantly surged the demand for barrier packaging films. As per the data documented by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2021, BRICS countries are the leading consumer of poultry meat consuming around 47,180.5 thousand tons of poultry meat, whereas China is the second-largest consumer of poultry meat, documenting 23,590.7 thousand tons of poultry meat consumption. The highly flexible ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) barrier film is one of the high barrier packaging films recommended for meat-based food products as it has an oxygen transfer rate (OTR) of 0.6cc/m2. On the other hand, different types of high barrier packaging are used for wrapping fresh foods, microwaved cooked foods, etc. The OTR among these food variants varies considerably. The less amount of oxygen is better for the packaged foods. The high barrier packaging films such as linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) offer high clarity, and OTR as high as 2500cc/m2 is considered ideal for fresh produce food packaging. The manufacturers' products are licensed under various certifications, including ISO 9001 and SQF Level Three certifications, ensuring superior quality packaging is expected to drive the High Barrier Packaging Films Market.

Toppan widened its range of GL BARRIER barriers in October 2022 with a mono-material PE barrier aimed at packaging liquid products in durable, aseptic, and recyclable materials.

Huhtamaki launched next-generation tube laminates containing ISCC-certified renewable material in cooperation with LyondellBasell, Plastuni Lisses, and Groupe Rocher for cosmetics brands and food companies during July 2021. This development highlights the industry’s drive towards more sustainable materials and practices.

As per a 2021 news article, Innovia launches high-speed barrier packaging film. This chlorine-free, high-speed film is known as SLF and it boosts the barrier to oxygen, moisture aroma and mineral oils in the Propafilm monos structure films from Innovia Films. This marks an interesting development in the high barrier packaging films market.

Flex Films is launching its new avant-garde patented BOPET high barrier film F-UHB-M to replace aluminum foil in flexible packages (Global Flexible Packaging Giant Uflex). As stated by the report released on 23 September 2021, Flex Films Kentucky plant will produce this new film for worldwide distribution.

High Barrier Packaging Films Market Segment Insights

High Barrier Packaging Films Material Insights

The High Barrier Packaging Films Market segmentation is bifurcated into plastic, metal, and oxides. The plastic segment held the majority share in 2021 contributing to significant percentage respect to the High Barrier Packaging Films Market revenue. During the projected period, these materials are used for their high tensile strength, chemical and dimensional stability, transparency, reflectivity, gas and aroma barrier properties, and electrical insulation. They are widely utilized for preventing the physical, chemical, and microbiological deterioration of foods, nutrients, drinks, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Barrier films made up of these materials inhibit gas and water permeability by protecting the contents from external influences and preserving the packaged product's flavor and nature.

A metalized film is a high barrier layer film with high oxygen and moisture barrier properties, including a core layer and a metal bonding layer that is preferably formed by coextruding. These are polymer films coated with a thin metal layer, usually aluminum but other metals such as nickel and chromium are also used. The coating reduces the permeability of the film to light, water, and oxygen. It provides higher toughness to confectionery, electronics, and decorative purposes. Oxide films are chemically produced by exposing the material's surface to controlled oxygen and temperature levels. They reduce corrosion on the material's surface by preventing further reaction. The most used oxide films are zinc oxide and aluminum oxide layers because they are most protective against corrosion and are amphoteric oxides, which means they do not react with acids and bases.

January 2022: Klockner Pentaplast has announced to expand its post-consumer recycled content (PCR) capacity in North America with a significant investment to further grow its sustainable innovation offering in consumer health, pharmaceutical, and food packaging markets.

February 2022: Mondi & Henkel partnered to launch a fully recyclable mono-material refill pouch. The two companies will work on a packaging solution that allows refilling plastic bottles from flexible pouches.

July 2021: Huhtamaki launched the next-generation tube laminates with ISCC certified renewable content in partnership with LyondellBasell, Plastuni Lisses, and Groupe Rocher in the cosmetics and food sectors.

High Barrier Packaging Films Product Insights

The High Barrier Packaging Films Market segmentation, based on product, includes Bags & Pouches, Trays Lidding Films, Wrapping Films, Blister Packs, and others. Due to rising demand for bags & pouches in the shipping and storing processes the segment is anticipated to account for a greater revenue share in the global market over the forecast period. During the projected period, this segment's demand will be supported by a rise in revenue due to key aspects like high barrier properties are predominantly used in various industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, cosmetics, and others for packaging and storage of products. Hence, the rising demand for various industries for Global High Barrier Packaging Films positively impacts market growth.

High Barrier Packaging Films Technology Insights

The High Barrier Packaging Films Market data has been bifurcated by technology into multi-layer films, sustainable barrier coating films, besela barrier films and others. The multi-layer films segment is expected to develop at the fastest rate due to minimize permeation and effusion. Multiple extruders equipped with the special dies produce a multilayer film. Many polymers and substrates are also used to manufacture multilayer high barrier packaging films. Back on their multilayer structure, these films offer excellent moisture, gas, air barrier, high heat seal strength, and outstanding metallic appearance. The consistent demand for these films in various food and non-food packaging applications is driving its sales significantly.

Additionally, the sustainable barrier coating films are more sustainable than other multilayer metallic and non-metallic high barrier packaging films. These types of films come up with organic coatings or solvent-free coatings. The shifting focus of leading packaging manufacturers and end use customers towards highly sustainable and recyclable flexible packaging solutions are one of the pivotal factors that boosts the sales of sustainable barrier packaging films.

January 2022: Huhtamaki has acquired full ownership of its Polish joint venture company Huhtamaki Smith Anderson from Smith Anderson Group Ltd. (SA). The company manufactures and sells foodservice paper bags in Eastern Europe at Huhtamaki's facility in Czeladz, Poland.

January 2020: Sealed Air launched a new version of Bubble Wrap packaging material made with at least 90 percent recycled content. The recycled content used to make the newest version of Bubble Wrap brand packaging is sourced from post-industrial materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Figure 2: High Barrier Packaging Films Market, by Technology, 2021 & 2030Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

High Barrier Packaging Films Application Insights

The High Barrier Packaging Films Market segmentation, based on Application, includes food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care & cosmetics, and others. High barrier packaging films are substantially used in the food & beverage industry to package, store, and ship a range of items such as meat, seafood, bakery, confectionery, ready-to-eat meals, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Regarding demand and usage of high barrier packaging films, the food and beverage segment is leading among other industries. Manufacturers offer various high barrier film packaging products for the pharmaceutical industry to meet the needs of the industry. Blood oxygenators, glucose monitors, medicine, and test kits are medical products for which high barrier film packaging is needed. Pharmaceutical industries need protection against the damaging effects and require proper maintenance at every stage of their product sales cycle, including manufacturing operations, packaging, warehousing, handling, transportation to the dealer, and display. The personal care & cosmetics industry manufactures consumer products used for beauty and personal hygiene. Personal care is a growing market for high barrier film packaging. This type of product requires safety and increased shelf life, which are some of the benefits of high barrier film packaging.

High Barrier Packaging Films Regional Insights

By Region, the study segments the market into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific held the biggest market share for Global High Barrier Packaging Films, The Asia-Pacific high barrier packaging film market region includes India, China, Japan and Others. These countries have set several regulations to monitor the quality and safety of packaging. India has the largest number of US FDA-approved pharmaceutical plants. These pharmaceutical products are packed in blister packs, bags and pouches made up of high barrier films, enhancing the growth of this market. These factors are driving the high barrier packaging film market in various end use applications. The fastest-growing packaging segment in Asia-Pacific is high barrier film packaging, especially plastic and sub segments. In China, regional players are the major driving force for increasing high barrier packaging films production. The packaging industry is an important sector driving technology and innovation growth in the region and adding value to the various manufacturing sectors, including food and cosmetic segments.

The high barrier packaging film sector in North America witnessed noticeable growth in the financial year due to the rise in product manufacturing. Successful track records of developing new products by companies such as Sealed Air, Berry Global Inc., and Sonoco Product Company are driving the growth of the high barrier packaging film market in North America. The rise in consumer spending in North America is leading to increased food & beverage consumption and is expected to raise the demand for good-quality packaged food, which helps in driving the North America high barrier packaging film market. In Europe, the increase in production of food & beverages and cosmetics has raised the need to manufacture high barrier films for the protection of material from further spoilage. Moreover, according to Food Federation, the food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. The growing sectors in the countries of Europe raise the need for packaging of these products, which further leads to an increased demand for high barrier film packaging solutions in Europe.

Further, the major countries studied are the U.S, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3: HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2021 & 2030 (%)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Further, the Germany High Barrier Packaging Films market held a significant market share, and the UK High Barrier Packaging Films market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

High Barrier Packaging Films Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the High Barrier Packaging Films Market grow even more. Market participants are also expanding their global footprint through a variety of strategic activities such as new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other companies. Global High Barrier Packaging Films’ competitors must offer cost-effective things in order to flourish and thrive in an increasingly competitive and rising market climate.

One of the primary business strategies adopted by manufacturers in the Global High Barrier Packaging Films industry to benefit clients and expand the High Barrier Packaging Films Market sector is to manufacture locally to reduce operating costs.

Klockner Pentaplast plans to increase its post-consumer recycled content (PCR) capacity in North America and expand its sustainable innovation portfolio for pharmaceuticals, consumer health, and food packaging industries through substantial investment made in January 2022.

Amcor plc developed the first-ever recyclable flexible packaging globally in September 2020, thereby enabling the recycling of numerous consumer goods like ready meals, baby foods, pre-cooked soups, etc. Before, considerable research and capital investment had been made into this new product. The new product attributes are long-lastingness and environmental friendliness. The company believes that the market will appreciate the development of this new product line.

Cosmo Films Limited increased their annual rated manufacturing capacity by 25k MT at the Aurangabad (India) site during June 2022, which is an indication of the focus on the growth of demand for high-barrier packaging films.

Key Companies in the High Barrier Packaging Films Market include.

• Amcor plc


• Sealed air


• Huhtamaki


• Klockner pentaplast


• Mondi


• Constantia flexibles


• Berry global inc


• Coveris


• Sonoco product company


• Wipak


• Uflex limited


• Printpack


• Jindal poly films


• Cosmo films ltd.

Global High Barrier Packaging Films Industry Developments

In June 2022 Winpack Ltd., a maker and supplier of premium quality packaging materials won an International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) award because their products use recycled content.

In March 2022, Cosmo Films Limited increased its production line at Aurangabad, India, to an annual rated capacity of 25,000 MT.

In November 2020, A new high-barrier PE film was developed by RKW Group together with SAES Coated Films that targets both performance and recyclability. RKW blends this MDO-PE base film with excellent processability with heat resistance as well as top-quality recycled ingredients, thus enabling mono-material PE packaging while replacing stiff films such as polyester or nylon that are commonly laminated with PE in multi-material packaging designs.

Toppan in October 2022 expanded GL Barrier’s barrier range with a mono-material PE barrier to package liquid in a robust, sterile and easily recyclable material (Toppan Packaging Solutions). According to the company, there has been an existing challenge using PE packaging due to vapor deposition, which it claims its new barrier resolves better than alternative designs.

In September 2022, Jindal introduced new high-barrier Ethyl-Lyte films. They can be used as PE printing films for recyclable mono-PE structures in the flexible packaging market.

High Barrier Packaging Films Market Segmentation

Global High Barrier Packaging Films Material Outlook

• Plastic


• Metal


• Oxides

Global High Barrier Packaging Films Product Outlook

• Bags & Pouches


• Trays Lidding Films


• Wrapping Films


• Blister Packs


• Others

Global High Barrier Packaging Films Technology Outlook

• Multi-Layer Films


• Sustainable Barrier Coating Films


• Besela Barrier Films


• Others

Global High Barrier Packaging Films Application Outlook

• Food & Beverages


• Pharmaceuticals


• Personal Care & Cosmetics


• Others

Global High Barrier Packaging Films Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America