Growth will be driven by consumer and producer preferences for stand-up pouches over more traditional rigid packaging. The adoption of pouches with higher value features in developed markets — such as the US, Canada, Western Europe, and Japan — will support gains in dollar terms.
Faster growth is expected in China and other developing nations, where rising personal incomes coupled with expanding production of packaged goods will promote higher demand for pouches. These and other trends are presented in World Pouches, a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.
Stand-up pouches will show the best growth prospects through 2018, although flat pouches will continue to account for the majority of the market.
Analyst Emily Park said: “Consumers are drawn to the aesthetic appeal and convenience of stand-up pouches with value added features such as spouts, zippers, or handles.”
The lighter weight, reduced material use, and lower shipping cost of stand-up pouches relative to rigid packaging also benefit producers of packaged goods. Among flat pouches, four-side-seal pouches are expected to post the fastest gains, particularly in developing areas. The Asia/Pacific region is expected to show the largest gains in demand through 2018.
Rapid increases in the output of packaged food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, coupled with a greater emphasis on convenient, eye-catching packaging, will support strong gains.
