USD 69.1 billion
Contract Packaging Market Size, Share, and Growth Analysis
Contract Packaging Market By Packaging Type (Primary, Secondary), By Material (Plastic, Metal), By Service (Bottling, Bagging/Pouching), By End-User Industry (Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical), By Region - Industry Forecast 2025-2032
Report ID:
SQMIG55E2063 |
Region:
Global |
Published Date: February, 2025
Pages:
187
|Tables:
96
|Figures:
71
Format -
Contract Packaging Market Insights
Contract Packaging Market size was valued at USD 69.1 billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 73.32 billion in 2024 to USD 117.74 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period (2025-2032).
Businesses and the people they serve—that is, consumers—are driving rapid changes in the contract packaging market at the moment. These consumers are constantly searching for new products and trends that meet their needs. While navigating the complex web of global trade, there are a few key issues that are concerning and have an impact on the development of the outsourced industry. Besides this well-known trendy thing, another widely interested design is eco-friendly packaging design and sustainable packaging. Packaging companies must then keep in mind environmentally sound suppliers that would be on green materials and methods addressing the worldwide growing environmental issues. This is crucial in the context of current corporate social responsibility.
Furthermore, a rise in e-commerce creates a solid basis for the contract packaging market to develop. Packaging solutions that put an emphasis on themes, quick handling, and product safety are now required due to the growing audit of internet shopping. Changes are being witnessed in the operations of contract packagers in respect to the emerging technology items with smart packaging or automated operations on e-tailing shipment systems. The new technology simplifies packing and streaming processes; it makes consumer experience better as well. This is on top of the market shift towards flexible packaging types in contract packaging.
Market snapshot - 2025-2032
Global Market Size
Largest Segment
Plastics
Fastest Growth
Paper & Paperboard
Growth Rate
6.1% CAGR
Global Contract Packaging Market ($ Bn)
Country Share by Asia Pacific (%)
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Contract Packaging Market Segments Analysis
Global Contract Packaging Market is segmented by Packaging Type, Material, Service, End-User Industry and region. Based on Packaging Type, the market is segmented into Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Based on Material, the market is segmented into Plastic, Metal, Glass and Paper and paperboard. Based on Service, the market is segmented into Bottling, Bagging/Pouching, Lot/Batch and Date Coding, Boxing and Cartoning, Wrapping and Bund, Labelling, Clamshell and Blister and Others. Based on End-User Industry, the market is segmented into Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Electronics, Personal Care and Others. Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa.
Analysis by Material
As per categorization by material, the market is classified as plastics, paper & paperboard, glass, metal, and others. Among these, plastics earned the largest share and continues to hold the dominant global contract packaging market share. Plastics represent the most important materials in the world contract packaging markets due to their versatility and low cost and their ability to satisfy a maximum range of needs for packaging in a number of industries. Innovations in biodegradable, recyclable, and lighter plastics become new sustainable packaging developments introducing innovations for tomorrow, whereas polymer blends continue to evolve for greater strength and durability. The ability to mold into different shapes, resistance to moisture, and high-quality printing tell of plastics for consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and foods packaging even more strongly.
Paper and paperboard are set to become the fastest-growing materials in the global contract packaging market due to rising consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. The intensification of environmental concerns increased the use of paper-based packaging that substitutes for plastic, as paper can be built to degrade, recycle, or renew. While new treatments and coatings of paper enhance properties such as durability, and moisture resistance, papers can definitely be used for a long term. Stricter government legislation regarding the use of plastics and, at the same time, consumer focus shifts based on green products is thus making paper and paperboard pack objects faster in the market as they are in line with both sustainability trends and with consumers conscious of brands.
Analysis by Type
Primary packaging, which directly contacts the product, continues to dominate the global contract packaging market due to its essential role in preserving product integrity, ensuring safety, and enhancing consumer appeal. Creating advanced packaging materials that promote counterfeiting and theft deterrent security features, child-resistance, advanced barrier technology, and many more innovations have now made most of packaging able to enhance the shelf life and protection of products. Primary packaging offers a lot of advancement in shelf life as well as product protection. Personalized packaging boosting the launch of smart labels with features from some product traceability as well as richer consumer engagement is another mooing growth. Primary packaging is deprivation from the different sectors and makes most within themselves in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics market for branding, convenience, and regulatory compliance.
Secondary packaging is poised to be the fastest-growing segment in the global contract packaging market due to increasing demand for enhanced product presentation, brand visibility, and logistical efficiency. With the increasing growth of e-commerce and retail sales, the secondary packaging brings significant advantages in handling, easy stacking, and display appeal, apart from all other features. With the growing investment of innovations in the development of eco-friendly materials and customized designs, the benefits of bringing down costs while meeting sustainability goals attract businesses. Other than that, critical protection from secondary packaging depends on transport and further enhances the experience by the convenience and ease of use value-added features as that drives very quick adoption by these different sectors like food and beverages, and consumer goods.
Global Contract Packaging Market By Material (%)
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Contract Packaging Market Regional Insights
Asia Pacific dominates the global contract packaging market due to its rapidly growing manufacturing base, extensive consumer markets, and increasing demand for cost-effective packaging solutions. The rigorous industries of this region such as electronics, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals act as the catalyst for a need for packaging that will suit varying demands of consumers. Additionally, significant investments in technological advancements and sustainable packaging innovations are accelerating growth. The rising trend of e-commerce, coupled with the region's favorable labor costs and strategic geographic position, makes Asia Pacific a key hub for contract packaging, further reinforcing its market leadership and expansion potential.
North America is the fastest-growing region in the global contract packaging market, driven by increasing demand for innovative, sustainable, and high-quality packaging solutions. The strengthened consumer base that the present region can boast of-consumers from such sectors as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and personal care-is obviously driving the need for high-tech packaging to ensure product safety, convenience, and eco-friendliness. Technological advancements like smart and automated packaging are adding to the operational efficiency of these sectors. Stricter environmental regulations and increased propensity of the consumers toward eco-friendliness are promoting changes in good packaging standards. Hence, North America becomes an essential region to fuel an upward trend in the contract packaging industry.
Global Contract Packaging Market By Geography
- Largest
- Fastest
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Contract Packaging Market Dynamics
Contract Packaging Market Drivers
Sustainability Trends Among Leading Companies
- Global contract packaging demands skyrocketed in the same manner due to an increased desire from consumers for eco-friendly packaging alternatives. Biodegradable, recyclable, and green materials have been adopted by well-thinking companies to comply with government regulation and local environmental considerations. This decision achieved much favorable perception for the brand, through satisfying customer requirements for green packaging.
Technological Advancements and Precise Packaging
- Innovations in packaging technology, such as automation, smart packaging, and improved materials, are propelling the global contract packaging market growth. Automation improves efficiency, lower costs, and guarantee accuracy in packaging while smart packaging solutions provide enhanced product tracking, consumer engagement, and shelf-life extension, making it even more attractive to industries across different sectors.
Contract Packaging Market Restraints
Labor Shortages in Market
- The global contract packaging market is facing labor shortages, especially in regions where manual packaging processes are still prevalent. The unavailability of skilled workers will impact production efficiency and, in addition, may bring delays and increased operational costs, rendering further difficulties in expanding operations to meet rising demand for goods in the market.
Frequent Supply Chain Disruptions
- Ongoing supply chain disruptions, including raw material shortages and logistical challenges, are restraining the growth of the global contract packaging market. It is the delay in procurement of packing materials or a jam in transport that results in delaying production schedules, increasing costs, and hindering timely fulfilment to customers.
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Contract Packaging Market Competitive Landscape
The competitive landscape of the global contract packaging market is characterized by a mix of large multinational companies and regional players offering diverse packaging solutions across industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Competitors such as Amcor, WestRock, Berry Global, Mondi Group, and Sonoco Products are searching for innovations in sustainable packaging, automation, and customization, thus keeping them in the market for faster demands, more operational efficiency, and consumer tastes towards sustainable and high-performance packing of products.
Top Players in Contract Packaging Market
- Cermex (France)
- Gebo Cermex (France)
- Multipack Solutions (United States)
- Jones Packaging (Canada)
- Unicep Packaging (United States)
- Reed-Lane (United States)
- Sharp Packaging Services (United States)
- PCI Pharma Services (United States)
- Catalent Pharma Solutions (United States)
- Anderson Packaging (United States)
- Millmount Healthcare (Ireland)
- Wasdell Group (United Kingdom)
- Almac Group (United Kingdom)
- NextPharma (Germany)
- Ropack Pharma Solutions (Canada)
- Tapemark (United States)
Recent Developments
- In August 2024, Amcor announced a significant innovation in sustainable packaging by introducing a fully recyclable flexible pouch made from polyethylene. This initiative from Amcor is part of their continuous work with the aim to minimize the input of plastic within the waste stream and then enter into a circular economy practice. The recyclable pouch is specifically aimed at the food and beverage sector to be added into the mix of eco-friendly packaging options.
- In July 2024, Sonoco Products introduced an automatic packaging line, which will provide higher operational efficiency, and assist in reducing waste in packaging. It will suit the growing trend of customized packaging solutions in just about every industry. All these are done with the introduction of automated systems that leverage speed, accuracy, and sustainability.
- In June 2024, Tetra Pak launched a new biomaterial for its packaging products further towards a sustainable packaging ecosystem. The company has removed fossil-based plastics and today offers a renewable alternative for its cartons, based on plants. In doing so, the group sticks to its vision of minimizing the environmental impact of packaging solutions.
Contract Packaging Key Market Trends
- Sustainability as a Primary Focus: The global contract packing market is evolving into a greener one. Consumers are demanding that to meet the high level of eco-friendly consumer requests, companies have to adopt recyclable, biodegradable, and renewable pack materials. This will improve the trade or else create very exciting partnerships among brand owners and packaging companies whereby they will have to meet environmental expectations and compliance norms.
- Adoption of Automation and Smart Packaging: Currently, the automation and smart packaging technologies changes the entire face of the global contract packaging market trends. Corporations rely on automated systems to boost productivity and slash labor expenses. Such as from RFID and QR codes for smart packaging solutions, they bring better efficacy in tracking, traceability, as well as in engaging the consumers, increasing the market growth.
Contract Packaging Market SkyQuest Analysis
SkyQuest's ABIRAW (Advanced Business Intelligence, Research & Analysis Wing) is our Business Information Services team that Collects, Collates, Correlates, and Analyses the Data collected by means of Primary Exploratory Research backed by robust Secondary Desk research.
As per SkyQuest analysis, the global contract packaging industry is evolving rapidly, driven by consumer demand for sustainable and innovative packaging solutions. While harnessing the latest technologies like automation and smart packaging, companies are paying more attention towards environmentally friendly materials such as biodegradable plastics and paper-based packaging.
The emergence of e-commerce and changing shopping trends put packaging suppliers under discussion to keep pace with market dynamics and the way forward with additional concerns, such as sustainability and operational efficiency. From all these, the challenges face the contract packaging market and the reality that umpteen opportunities exist to meet an ever-changing consumer demand as well as sustainability aims.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size value in 2023 | USD 69.1 billion |
| Market size value in 2032 | USD 117.74 billion |
| Growth Rate | 6.1% |
| Base year | 2024 |
| Forecast period | 2025-2032 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segments covered |
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| Regions covered | North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Rest of Latin America), Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC Countries, Rest of MEA) |
| Companies covered |
|
| Customization scope | Free report customization with purchase. Customization includes:-
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Table Of Content
Executive Summary
Market overview
- Exhibit: Executive Summary – Chart on Market Overview
- Exhibit: Executive Summary – Data Table on Market Overview
- Exhibit: Executive Summary – Chart on Contract Packaging Market Characteristics
- Exhibit: Executive Summary – Chart on Market by Geography
- Exhibit: Executive Summary – Chart on Market Segmentation
- Exhibit: Executive Summary – Chart on Incremental Growth
- Exhibit: Executive Summary – Data Table on Incremental Growth
- Exhibit: Executive Summary – Chart on Vendor Market Positioning
Parent Market Analysis
Market overview
Market size
- Market Dynamics
- Exhibit: Impact analysis of DROC, 2021
- Drivers
- Opportunities
- Restraints
- Challenges
- Exhibit: Impact analysis of DROC, 2021
- SWOT Analysis
KEY MARKET INSIGHTS
- Technology Analysis
- (Exhibit: Data Table: Name of technology and details)
- Pricing Analysis
- (Exhibit: Data Table: Name of technology and pricing details)
- Supply Chain Analysis
- (Exhibit: Detailed Supply Chain Presentation)
- Value Chain Analysis
- (Exhibit: Detailed Value Chain Presentation)
- Ecosystem Of the Market
- Exhibit: Parent Market Ecosystem Market Analysis
- Exhibit: Market Characteristics of Parent Market
- IP Analysis
- (Exhibit: Data Table: Name of product/technology, patents filed, inventor/company name, acquiring firm)
- Trade Analysis
- (Exhibit: Data Table: Import and Export data details)
- Startup Analysis
- (Exhibit: Data Table: Emerging startups details)
- Raw Material Analysis
- (Exhibit: Data Table: Mapping of key raw materials)
- Innovation Matrix
- (Exhibit: Positioning Matrix: Mapping of new and existing technologies)
- Pipeline product Analysis
- (Exhibit: Data Table: Name of companies and pipeline products, regional mapping)
- Macroeconomic Indicators
COVID IMPACT
- Introduction
- Impact On Economy—scenario Assessment
- Exhibit: Data on GDP - Year-over-year growth 2016-2022 (%)
- Revised Market Size
- Exhibit: Data Table on Contract Packaging Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Impact Of COVID On Key Segments
- Exhibit: Data Table on Segment Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- COVID Strategies By Company
- Exhibit: Analysis on key strategies adopted by companies
MARKET DYNAMICS & OUTLOOK
- Market Dynamics
- Exhibit: Impact analysis of DROC, 2021
- Drivers
- Opportunities
- Restraints
- Challenges
- Exhibit: Impact analysis of DROC, 2021
- Regulatory Landscape
- Exhibit: Data Table on regulation from different region
- SWOT Analysis
- Porters Analysis
- Competitive rivalry
- Exhibit: Competitive rivalry Impact of key factors, 2021
- Threat of substitute products
- Exhibit: Threat of Substitute Products Impact of key factors, 2021
- Bargaining power of buyers
- Exhibit: buyers bargaining power Impact of key factors, 2021
- Threat of new entrants
- Exhibit: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors, 2021
- Bargaining power of suppliers
- Exhibit: Threat of suppliers bargaining power Impact of key factors, 2021
- Competitive rivalry
- Skyquest special insights on future disruptions
- Political Impact
- Economic impact
- Social Impact
- Technical Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Legal Impact
Market Size by Region
- Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2027 (%)
- Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2027(%)
- North America
- Chart on Market share by country 2021-2027 (%)
- Data Table on Market share by country 2021-2027(%)
- USA
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Canada
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Europe
- Chart on Market share by country 2021-2027 (%)
- Data Table on Market share by country 2021-2027(%)
- Germany
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Spain
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- France
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- UK
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Rest of Europe
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Asia Pacific
- Chart on Market share by country 2021-2027 (%)
- Data Table on Market share by country 2021-2027(%)
- China
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- India
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Japan
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- South Korea
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Latin America
- Chart on Market share by country 2021-2027 (%)
- Data Table on Market share by country 2021-2027(%)
- Brazil
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Rest of South America
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Chart on Market share by country 2021-2027 (%)
- Data Table on Market share by country 2021-2027(%)
- GCC Countries
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- South Africa
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
- Rest of MEA
- Exhibit: Chart on Market share 2021-2027 (%)
- Exhibit: Market size and forecast 2021-2027 ($ million)
KEY COMPANY PROFILES
- Competitive Landscape
- Total number of companies covered
- Exhibit: companies covered in the report, 2021
- Top companies market positioning
- Exhibit: company positioning matrix, 2021
- Top companies market Share
- Exhibit: Pie chart analysis on company market share, 2021(%)
- Total number of companies covered
Methodology
For the Contract Packaging Market, our research methodology involved a mixture of primary and secondary data sources. Key steps involved in the research process are listed below:
1. Information Procurement: This stage involved the procurement of Market data or related information via primary and secondary sources. The various secondary sources used included various company websites, annual reports, trade databases, and paid databases such as Hoover's, Bloomberg Business, Factiva, and Avention. Our team did 45 primary interactions Globally which included several stakeholders such as manufacturers, customers, key opinion leaders, etc. Overall, information procurement was one of the most extensive stages in our research process.
2. Information Analysis: This step involved triangulation of data through bottom-up and top-down approaches to estimate and validate the total size and future estimate of the Contract Packaging Market.
3. Report Formulation: The final step entailed the placement of data points in appropriate Market spaces in an attempt to deduce viable conclusions.
4. Validation & Publishing: Validation is the most important step in the process. Validation & re-validation via an intricately designed process helped us finalize data points to be used for final calculations. The final Market estimates and forecasts were then aligned and sent to our panel of industry experts for validation of data. Once the validation was done the report was sent to our Quality Assurance team to ensure adherence to style guides, consistency & design.
Analyst Support
Customization Options
With the given market data, our dedicated team of analysts can offer you the following customization options are available for the Contract Packaging Market:
Product Analysis: Product matrix, which offers a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of companies.
Regional Analysis: Further analysis of the Contract Packaging Market for additional countries.
Competitive Analysis: Detailed analysis and profiling of additional Market players & comparative analysis of competitive products.
Go to Market Strategy: Find the high-growth channels to invest your marketing efforts and increase your customer base.
Innovation Mapping: Identify racial solutions and innovation, connected to deep ecosystems of innovators, start-ups, academics, and strategic partners.
Category Intelligence: Customized intelligence that is relevant to their supply Markets will enable them to make smarter sourcing decisions and improve their category management.
Public Company Transcript Analysis: To improve the investment performance by generating new alpha and making better-informed decisions.
Social Media Listening: To analyze the conversations and trends happening not just around your brand, but around your industry as a whole, and use those insights to make better Marketing decisions.
Contract Packaging Market Report Snapshots
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