The global shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly practices has revolutionized various industries, and the packaging sector is no exception. With e-commerce and the grocery industry seeing rapid growth, there is an increasing emphasis on reducing environmental impact. Packaging plays a key role in minimizing carbon footprints, with major trends toward recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable materials. This article explores the evolving eco-friendly flexible packaging market, highlighting key trends, opportunities, and leading companies driving this transformation.
The growing preference for eco-friendly packaging solutions is becoming a key priority for e-commerce grocery platforms. Packaging that is recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable helps reduce environmental impact, and this trend is shaping the future of the flexible packaging market. The surge in popularity of mono-material flexible packaging stems from its easier recyclability and sustainability benefits.
For instance, in February 2025, Proquimia and Mondi, a world leader in environmentally friendly paper and packaging, partnered to introduce paper-based stand-up pouches for dishwashing tablets in Spain and Portugal. Unlike the previous plastic-based packaging, this new solution significantly reduces CO2 emissions throughout its lifecycle. The packaging was made using Mondi’s re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5, and the dishwashing pouches contain twenty water-soluble tablets.
Such innovations highlight the growing emphasis on sustainable packaging solutions that balance environmental considerations with functionality, paving the way for further developments in the eco-friendly packaging sector.
The eco-friendly flexible packaging market is experiencing remarkable growth and is projected to see a revenue surge into the hundreds of millions from 2025 to 2034. Factors such as increased environmental awareness, bans on single-use plastics, and advancements in sustainable materials are driving the market’s expansion. Europe, with its rigorous sustainability regulations, is the fastest-growing region, while Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest market share in 2024.
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Recyclable plastics currently dominate the market, but bioplastics are expected to see significant growth in the coming years. Flexible packaging pouches are the most commonly used packaging type, followed by wraps and sachets, both of which are expected to see substantial growth.
Among the most significant product functionalities, recyclable packaging is gaining popularity, while compostable and biodegradable options are also highly sought after. The food and beverage industry is the largest end-user of eco-friendly flexible packaging, with personal care and pharmaceuticals also witnessing rapid growth. While industrial supply remains the primary distribution channel, online retail is poised to expand rapidly, offering a convenient avenue for sustainable product offerings.
The sustainable flexible packaging market is poised to continue its rapid expansion from 2025 to 2034, with projections predicting hundreds of millions in revenue growth. This growth is driven by rising consumer demand for sustainable packaging options, growing environmental awareness, regulatory pressures, and a surge in innovation related to packaging materials.
Plastic takes nearly 1000 years to decompose, which has fueled the demand for sustainable flexible packaging materials that significantly reduce plastic waste. This shift is helping industries, from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, to align with sustainability goals while lowering carbon footprints.
In regions like Europe, the demand for sustainable packaging is particularly high, driven by stringent regulations designed to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a growing awareness of environmental impacts. Several companies in the packaging market are adopting sustainable materials as part of their commitment to a circular economy, further accelerating the transition to eco-friendly solutions.
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Here are some leading companies in the sustainable flexible packaging market:
About: Mondi is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, renowned for its commitment to environmental sustainability and the circular economy.
Products: Mondi specializes in paper-based flexible packaging, functional barrier papers, and eco-friendly solutions for various industries, including food and beverages, personal care, and pharmaceuticals.
Market Cap: Approximately $11.5 billion (as of 2024)
About: Proquimia is a Spanish-based company known for its expertise in providing eco-friendly solutions in various sectors, including cleaning products and packaging.
Products: Proquimia has collaborated with Mondi to introduce paper-based stand-up pouches for dishwashing tablets, reducing CO2 emissions and environmental impact.
Market Cap: Not publicly listed
About: Sealed Air is a global packaging company specializing in innovative packaging solutions that promote sustainability across various industries, including food, healthcare, and e-commerce.
Products: Their products include eco-friendly packaging solutions such as sustainable flexible films, foam packaging, and food-safe packaging options made from recyclable and biodegradable materials.
Market Cap: Approximately $14 billion (as of 2024)
About: Amcor is a leader in packaging solutions, providing flexible packaging and rigid containers for consumer goods, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and more. The company is focused on creating sustainable packaging solutions that reduce environmental impact.
Products: Amcor offers a wide range of sustainable packaging products, including recyclable films, biodegradable films, and pouches for food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
Market Cap: Approximately $21 billion (as of 2024)
About: Tetra Pak is a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions, with a strong commitment to sustainable practices. The company is dedicated to creating packaging that has a reduced environmental footprint.
Products: Tetra Pak produces eco-friendly cartons, flexible packaging for beverages, and other food packaging options made from renewable materials.
Market Cap: Approximately $12 billion (as of 2024)
1. What is sustainable flexible packaging?
Sustainable flexible packaging refers to packaging materials that are environmentally friendly, recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable, and are designed to minimize environmental impact during their lifecycle.
2. How does the use of sustainable packaging benefit the environment?
Sustainable packaging reduces plastic waste, lowers carbon emissions, decreases landfill usage, and helps promote a circular economy by encouraging recycling and composting.
3. Why is eco-friendly packaging becoming so popular?
The growing awareness of environmental issues, coupled with stricter regulations and consumer demand for sustainable products, is driving the shift toward eco-friendly packaging solutions.
4. Which industries are adopting sustainable flexible packaging?
The food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, cosmetics, and e-commerce industries are major adopters of sustainable flexible packaging.
5. What materials are commonly used in eco-friendly flexible packaging?
Common materials include recyclable plastics, bioplastics, compostable films, and paper-based solutions that meet sustainability and recycling standards.
Source : https://www.towardspackaging.com/insights/flexible-packaging-market
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