Europe Contract Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

Europe Contract Packaging Market Analysis

The Europe Contract Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 24.90 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 37.53 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.55% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

• Effective product packaging is essential for the secure storage and transportation of tangible goods. However, product packaging involves significant upfront costs and resource allocation. As a result, manufacturers often rely on contract packaging firms, also called third-party packaging companies, to manage their product packaging, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These firms provide the necessary expertise and tools for optimal packaging solutions. The increase in small and medium-sized enterprises, coupled with the benefits offered by contract packaging companies, is expected to drive growth in the contract packaging market.
• The expansion of the e-commerce industry has also contributed to an increase in the need for tertiary packaging in the region, which favors the contract packaging business. Additionally, due to increased disposable incomes, population growth, and business-friendly government regulations in many countries, demand for various packaging-intensive industries, including pharmaceutical, consumer goods, food and beverage, and electronics, is rising across Europe. Thus, the growth of the abovementioned industries is projected to impact the contract packaging market favorably.
• Furthermore, associations and organizations are increasingly emerging to enhance awareness in the market studied. The European Co-Packers Association (ECPA) and the Contract Packaging Association are among a few examples. Europe hosts approximately 1,000 active contract packaging vendors, with 40-50% being small companies. According to Pharmapack Europe, the 2024 outlook for pharma services has been promising: 94% of industry players are either 'moderately positive' (37%) or 'highly positive' (37%) about growth in contract packaging.
• The increasing consumer awareness about environmental concerns, along with producers’ demand for economical packaging options, is compelling contract packagers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives and eco-sensitive package designs. Sustainability and customization are likely to continue to positively impact the contract packaging market. These trends are most likely to influence consumer-packaged goods, such as personal care items and food and beverages, over the forecast period.
• Adopting innovations for the first time becomes challenging, particularly due to the significant capital expenditure required for equipment acquisition and installation. To address these challenges, an increasing number of pharmaceutical companies are forming strategic partnerships with expert contract packaging organizations (CPOs). By doing so, these companies are leveraging the latest packaging innovations without substantial individual investments. These strategic alliances are transforming the industry’s trajectory, enhancing efficiency, and delivering improved patient experiences.
• However, stringent regulatory compliance requirements, particularly in the pharmaceutical and food industries, are impeding market growth. These industries are subjected to rigorous regulations governing packaging materials, labeling, and hygiene standards, requiring companies to invest heavily in quality control systems, certifications, and resources to meet these stringent requirements.

Europe Contract Packaging Industry Segmentation

Contract packaging is a business arrangement where a third-party company manages the packaging of products for another company. This outsourcing model allows businesses to concentrate on their core competencies while leveraging the expertise of specialized packaging providers.

The European contract packaging market is segmented by service (primary packaging, secondary packaging, and tertiary packaging), end-user industry (beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, home and fabric care, and beauty care), and country (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Rest of Europe). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD) for all the above segments.