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Demand to increase 4.9% per annum through 2019
Demand for protective packaging in the US is forecast to rise 4.9 percent per year to $6.8 billion in 2019, driven primarily by the robust outlook for Internet shopping. Continued economic recovery following the 2007-2009 recession will also provide opportunities for protective packaging. These factors will contribute to the growth for cost-effective packaging used to limit the effects of shock, vibration, temperature abuse, and other damaging effects during shipping and handling.
Flexible protective packaging to remain as leading type
Flexible protective packaging will continue to be the leading protective packaging type through 2019, as flexible products are highly prized for their light weight, versatility, and aesthetic advantages over other materials such as plastic foams. The category is comprised of items such as protective mailers, which are the leading protective packaging product, and air pillows, which are expected to show the most rapid gains as users in every market looking for ways to eliminate excess package weight and cost often opt for air pillows over loose-fill alternatives. Also included in this category are bubble packaging products, paper fill, and dunnage bags.
Foam products are the second leading protective packaging type, with insulated shipping containers posting the fastest gains. These products are traditionally manufactured from expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam and are used to protect temperature-sensitive products such as pharmaceuticals and food. Rigid protective packaging will comprise the smallest share of demand, although green initiatives will lead to above average gains for molded pulp and other niche products that are substituted for molded foam products as concerns regarding the environmental sustainability of foams continue to stifle demand.
Manufacturing markets to continue as top applications
Despite continued advances by the nonmanufacturing sector, protective packaging applications in manufacturing markets will continue to lead in value terms. Healthy growth in durable goods manufacturing for products such as appliances, motor vehicle parts, and industrial machinery will contribute to a high level of demand for protective packaging for these products and others that require cushioning and bracing during shipment. Demand for protective packaging intended for nondurable goods manufacturing will be driven by growing specialized handling requirements for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, leading to a greater need for insulated shipping
containers, products that can be manufactured from foam or a wide range of both flexible and rigid materials.
As the volume of products ordered online continues to grow, the number of shipments from both large retailers such as Amazon and small online marketplace contributors on sites such as Etsy will lead to rapid gains in demand for costeffective and visually appealing protective products for the Internet and catalog market. In addition, the burgeoning online grocery and meal delivery industry will drive demand for insulating material effective in controlling temperature but also environmentally friendly, as many consumers have concerns with the sustainability practices of these services.
Company Profiles
Profiles over 40 US industry players such as Pregis, Sealed Air, Storopack, Free-Flow Packaging International, Signode Industrial Group & WestRock
Additional Information
This study analyzes the protective packaging industry in the US. Historical data for 2004, 2009, and 2014 and forecasts for 2019 and 2024 are provided for flexible products (protective mailers, bubble packaging, air pillows, paper fill, dunnage bags, and other), rigid products (paperboard protectors, molded pulp, and other), and plastic foam products (molded foams, foam-in-place polyurethane, polyolefin rolled foam, insulated shipping containers, loose fill, and other). An overview is also presented for protective packaging by material (paper and paperboard, plastic foams, other plastics, other materials), function (cushioning, blocking and bracing, insulation, void fill, and wrapping), and market (manufacturing and non-manufacturing).
For the purposes of this study, demand by function is calculated based on the primary functions for each product, though many products may perform more than one function at a time. Historical and forecast sales are provided in current dollars and pounds. Excluded from the scope of this study are surface protection films and active insulated shipping containers employing electricity or other power sources to maintain a temperature-controlled environment inside an insulated enclosure. Retail packaging such as blister packs and clamshells are also excluded.