UK Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

UK Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Analysis

The United Kingdom Flexible Plastic Packaging Market size in terms of production volume is expected to grow from 1.42 Million tonnes in 2024 to 1.65 Million tonnes by 2029, at a CAGR of 3.05% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Plastic packaging is valued for its lightweight, affordable, and versatile nature. It shields products from contamination, extends shelf life, and ensures transportation.

• Sectors like food, beverages, cosmetics, and personal care are increasingly opting for flexible plastic packaging due to its safety, durability, and resistance to moisture. Notably, the UK plastic packaging sector is witnessing a growth in recycling and reprocessing, driven by initiatives like the UK Plastics Pact vision.
• Flexible packaging can offer barrier properties, ranging from moisture and aroma protection. Flexible plastic films can be molded into myriad shapes, with the addition of handles, fitments, and opening features being a straightforward process.
• In 2023, the UK implemented the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, covering all packaging, including flexibles. The first EPR payment is slated for 2024. While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom might need help to meet sustainability demands, potentially creating a divide with larger suppliers, they can bridge this gap by defining specific sustainability roles and processes and aligning themselves with industry standards.
• Flexible products like pouches have advanced dispensing features, including screw-top caps and laser-scored tear features. Technical innovations extend to fitments for liquid packaging, evolving from traditional taps to modern solutions like connecting valves, one-way dispensers, and pop-up straws. These advancements are not just about convenience; they also ensure precise dosing and eliminate spillage.
• The country is also witnessing concerns regarding plastic packaging. According to a study by the University of Portsmouth in April 2024, UK households throw away an average of 60 pieces of plastic packaging per household weekly, an estimated 1.7 billion pieces of plastic nationally, equating to 90 billion pieces of plastic packaging being thrown away annually. This might limit the UK market's growth in plastic packaging.

UK Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry Segmentation

The study on the UK flexible plastic packaging market tracks demands in terms of revenue for flexible plastic packaging by material and tracks the market size for respective end-user types. The estimates for the UK flexible plastic packaging market include all the costs associated with flexible plastic packaging manufacturing from raw material procurement till it reaches the end-user industries. The estimates exclude the cost of the content that is or is to be packed inside the flexible plastic packaging. The scope of the flexible plastic packaging market is limited to B2B demand. Market numbers have been arrived at using both bottom-up and top-down approaches for segmentation, and volume has also been taken into consideration.

The United Kingdom Flexible Plastic Packaging Market Report is Segmented by Material (Polyethene [PE], Bi-Oriented Polypropylene [BOPP], Cast Polypropylene [CPP], Polyvinyl Chloride [PVC], Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol [EVOH], and Other Material Types [Polycarbonate, PHA, PLA, Acrylic, and ABS]), Product Type (Pouches, Bags, Films and Wraps, and Other Product Types), End-User Industry (Food [Frozen Food, Dry Food, Meat, Poultry, and Sea Food, Candy & Confectionery, Pet Food, Dairy Products, Fresh Produce and Other Food (Seasonings & Spices, Spreadables, Sauces, Condiments, etc.)], Beverage, Medical and Pharmaceutical, Personal Care and Household Care, and Other End User Industry [Automotive, Chemical, Agriculture ]). The report offers market forecasts and volume (tonnes) for all the above segments.