Market Size (2018)
2018
$8.58B
Vertical: PCMBase Year: 201812 Sections
Market Size (2018)
2018
$8.58B
Projected (2025)
2025
$12.22B
CAGR (2018–2025)
5.2%
5.2%Key Players
110+
The global retort packaging market is driven by factors such as the growth of online food ordering and growth of the packaged food industry. However, fluctuation in raw material prices and government norms against plastic packaging act as restraints for the market growth during the forecast period. The global retort packaging market is projected to grow at 6.5% CAGR during the forecast period.
The global market for retort packaging has been segmented based on packaging type, material, and application. On the basis of packaging type, the global market has been segmented into pouches, trays, cartons, and others. In 2018, the pouches segment accounted for the larger market share of 52.86%with a market value of USD 16,873.29 million. It is projected to grow at 6.9% CAGR during the forecast period.
On the basis of material, the global market has been segmented into paper & paperboard, aluminum foil, polypropylene, polyester, and others. In 2018, the paper & paperboard segment accounted for the largest market share of 28.04% with a market value of USD 8,951.21million. It is projected to grow at 5.9% CAGR during the forecast period.
On the basis of application, the global market has been segmented into food, beverages, and others. In 2018, the food segment accounted for the largest market share of 61.81%with a market value of USD 19,731.69 million. It is projected to grow at 6.7% CAGR during the forecast period.
On the basis of region, in 2018, Europe accounts for 36.36% market share trailed by Asia-Pacific with market share of 33.12%, will continue to dominate the market during the forecast period. In 2025 Asia-Pacific is expected to reach 18,789.5 million with a CAGR of 8.47%
The Retort Packaging Market market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2018 to 2025.
Historical performance and future projections (2020–2030, USD Billion)
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View Subscription PlansRetort packaging is a type of food packaging that is done using flexible plastic pouches or retort pouches.
Retort pouches and cans are used to pack ready-to-eat and other perishable food items, which are subjected to extreme heat, rendering the product commercially sterile. Such pouches have a shelf life of up to 18 months with no preservatives and zero refrigeration. They are four-layered pouches that are manufactured with retort films, namely, aluminum foil (barrier layer), polyester (outside layer), polypropylene (physical food contact layer), and nylon (abrasion resistance layer). The processing method uses heat and pressure to sterilize food.
The process of retorting deactivates enzyme action, arrests microbial growth, and ensures the shelf-stability of products. Reduced processing time ensures the food packed in a retort pouch retains maximum nutritional value, taste, aroma, and flavor at the time of consumption.
Retort packages are popular with food manufacturers across the world. They are among the most commonly used methods of thermal food processing. Retort packaging has revolutionized packaging of ready-to-eat food in food and beverage packaging.
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View Subscription PlansThis report applies a rigorous multi-stage research process combining primary interviews, secondary data sources, and bottom-up market modelling to ensure accuracy and completeness across all segments and geographies.
Base Year
2018
Historical Period
2018 – 2018
Forecast Period
2018 – 2025
Primary Interviews
150+
Historical data (2018–2018) and forecast period (2018–2025)
Our research process spans primary interviews with industry stakeholders combined with comprehensive secondary data analysis, validated through triangulation across multiple independent sources.
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View Subscription PlansMichael Porter’s Five Forces model is a framework to study the global retort packaging market. Strategic business managers, trying to gain an edge over competing firms in the global retort packaging market, can utilize this model to better comprehend the industry, in which the company operates. The components of each of the forces and the degree of impact of each force in the context of the global retort packaging market have been broken down and analyzed.1.1.1 Threat of New Entrants
The requirement of a vast customer base, moderate technological complexity, and moderate capital to set up production facilities along with the stringent regulatory compliance restrict the entry of new players in the global retort packaging market. Furthermore, the established players, unlike the new players, can afford advanced manufacturing technologies. Additionally, in regions such as North America and Europe, stringent regulations regarding the manufacturing process of particular packaging materials due to their chemical content and environmental impact have been introduced. This leads to an increase in direct and indirect costs associated with regulatory compliance, which reduces the threat of new entrants. Thus, the threat of new entrants in the global retort packaging market is expected to be moderate during the forecast period.
1.1.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
The suppliers in the retort packaging market are the providers of raw materials such as plastic, aluminum, and paper in various forms. The requirement of raw materials is high for the production of retort packaging. The presence of a large number of suppliers decreases the bargaining power of suppliers. Although the differentiation between the raw materials is low, the retort packaging manufacturing companies cannot switch between suppliers due to their long-term contracts with the suppliers. Thus, the bargaining power of suppliers in the global retort packaging market is expected to be moderate during the forecast period.
1.1.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers
The primary buyers of retort packaging are the food manufacturers who purchase retort packaging products in high quantities, which leads to an increase in their bargaining power. The concentration of buyers in the global market is high. The differentiation between the products of various providers is moderate. The cost of switching between retort packaging product manufacturers is moderate. Thus, the bargaining power of buyers in the market is expected to be moderate during the forecast period.
1.1.4 Threat of Substitutes
Packaging plays an important role in food packaging. However, there are a few alternatives available for retort packaging, including rigid food containers. Hence, the threat of substitutes in the global retort packaging market is expected to be moderate during the forecast period.
1.1.5 Rivalry
The key players operating in the global retort packaging market are working on offering their products at competitive prices while ensuring on-time delivery. The market is fragmented with several players. The key players aim to invest in developing the market and in acquisitions to gain an edge over their peers. Hence, the intensity of rivalry in the global retort packaging market is expected to be moderate during the forecast period.
Market estimates by geography (2025)
InsightAsia Pacific leads with $5.30B by 2025.
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View Subscription Plans| REGION | 2018 | 2018 | 2025 | CAGR | SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | $3.37B | $4.37B | $5.30B | 6.7% | 43% |
| South America | $669.60M | $798.50M | $908.90M | 4.5% | 7% |
| Europe | $2.63B | $3.09B | $3.47B | 4.1% | 28% |
| North America | $1.56B | $1.82B | $2.03B | 3.8% | 17% |
| Middle East and Africa | $352.00M | $432.40M | $503.20M | 5.2% | 4% |
| Total | $8.58B | $10.51B | $12.22B | 5.2% | 100% |
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View Subscription PlansTotal Market Size
$49.90B
| APPLICATION | REVENUE ($B) | GROWTH RATE | MARKET PENETRATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pouches | $27.09B | 5.2% | 72% |
| Trays | $11.45B | 5.2% | 87% |
| Cartons | $7.87B | 5.2% | 72% |
| Others | $3.49B | 5.2% | 53% |
* Revenue projections based on 2025 estimates. Growth rates represent CAGR 2024–2030. Market penetration indicates current adoption rate within addressable market segments.
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Analytical insights on Retort Packaging Market covering market dynamics, competitive landscape, and strategic outlook.
The Retort Packaging Market market is projected to reach $12.22B by 2025, growing at 5.2% CAGR. The Pouches segment holds the largest share.
The global market for retort packaging is expected to witness sustainable growth in the next five years. The demand for retort packaging is poised to be driven growth of online food ordering and growth of the packaged food industry. However, fluctuation in raw material prices and government norms against plastic packaging acts as a restraint for the market.
The growing demand for food and the presence of franchise food organizations backed with the growing retail industry have led to the growth of online ordering and takeaway in urban and sub-urban areas. The food chains and franchise continue to gain momentum owing to the social and economic developments. Franchising has developed quite extensively over the past five years owing to increased Internet use, increasing population, purchasing power, busy lifestyles, aging population, and increasing awareness about nutritional value, and the need for variety, leading to the demand for retort packaging and other easy and efficient packaging products. Retort packaging plays an important role in both short term and long-term packaging of food as they help retain the benefits of the contents and protect their quality. Furthermore, the consumption of processed and convenience foods, such as canned food, frozen food, ready-to-eat snacks, meals, and chilled food products add to the demand for retort packaging. Such factors and a rise in the number of take-away joints are expected to add to the growth of the market for retort packaging.
The online food delivery industry has undergone rapid change as new online platforms have captured markets across the developed regions. Also, the online food delivery industry has attracted considerable investment and high valuations. Even emerging economies like India are among the key markets for online food and is growing substantially. With rising Internet penetration, E-commerce companies are considering developments to capitalize on the potential of the market. For instance, amazon is planning to launch its online food service in India. Furthermore, the increasing use of online food ordering applications and growing health awareness in developing regions are expected to drive the demand for retort packaging.
Thus, the growth of online food ordering is expected to drive the global retort packaging market during the forecast period.
The consumption patterns have changed in last few years owing to the positive economic indicators such as the rise in disposable income, changing preferences, and the increased number of retail outlets. The developing countries such as India, China, and Indonesia have witnessed significant demand for ready-to-eat food, which is expected to lead to the growth of the food packaging industry.
Increase in global import and export of perishable food products such as meat, poultry, and seafood lead to the growth in demand for retort packaging. The increased consumption of frozen and dried meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables, the growing demand for non-seasonal fruits and vegetables, creates need for shelf stable packaging solution, which consequently creates demand for retort packaging. Changing consumption patterns have led to the expansion of packaging industry in the region of Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, the region has a flourishing market and an expanding consumer base for food & beverages, which attracts foreign players to invest in the expansion of facilities and service development to efficiently cater to the demand of the region. The growing retort packaging industry in Asia has also captured the attention of the retort packaging players to expand their presence in Asia-Pacific. For instance, in November 2019, US-based manufacturer of packaging solutions Constantia Flexibles opened the world’s first plant designed to manufacture more sustainable and recyclable flexible packaging, in India (Gujarat). In June 2018, Sealed Air signed an agreement with Kuraray America, Inc. (Kuraray), a Japanese chemical company is set to offer food packaging materials derived from its Plantic bio-based resins.
Raw materials required for the manufacturing of retort packaging include plastic (PP, PET, EVOH, and others), Aluminum foil and laminates, paper and paperboards. The raw material prices depend on the availability of raw materials, global and domestic demand and supply trends, and government regulations. The prices of plastic are volatile, which would eventually affect the overall packaging cost. Moreover, due to this fluctuation, the financial performance of companies offering retort packaging and packaging products can adversely be affected.
Plastic is the primary raw material used in retort packaging for packaging food and beverages. The price fluctuation of PET and gaps in demand and supply is expected to restrict the growth of the market during the forecast period. The figure below depicts the fluctuation PET prices between 2013 and 2018.
Aluminum is the most widely used metal in retort packaging manufacturing and its prices have increased by 10.59% since 2016, affecting the overall retort container prices to a great extent. Fluctuations in raw material costs would raise the manufacturing and distribution cost, which disrupts long-term operations of the manufacturers and leads to the increased cost of the retort food packaging products. Most food storage container manufacturers find it difficult to bear the high raw material costs as the increase in prices affect the total cost of retort containers, which hinders the growth of the global retort packaging market. Thus, the fluctuation in raw material prices is expected to restrain the growth of the global retort packaging market during the forecast period.
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Profiles of 110 companies operating in the Retort Packaging Market market, including revenue, employee count, and market positioning where available.
Showing 110 of 110 companies
COVERIS GROUP
Company Headquarters: Austria Founded: 2007 Workforce: ~4,500 Company Working: Coveris is a leading packaging company manufacturing flexible packaging solutions. The company develops packaging products for all types of product protections. It offers labels, food and beverage packaging, medical packaging, building films, carton board, extrusion, print, and cube and stacked injection molding products for applications in end-use industries. The company operates through three business segments, namely, films, flexibles and labels & board. Retort packaging products are offered under the flexibles segment. Its sustainable packaging solutions offer quality packaging that extends the shelf-life of products and reduces resource wastage. The company offers its products to the food, pet food, industrial & agriculture, medical, agriculture, and home & personal care (non-food) markets. It has manufacturing facilities in 25 sites across the EMEA.
CLONDALKIN GROUP
1.1.1 COMPANY OVERVIEW Company Headquarters: Netherlands Founded: 1985 Workforce: ~1,350 Company Working: Clondalkin Group, also known as Clondalkin Flexible Packaging, is a global manufacturer of flexible packaging products. It develops, manufactures, and supplies high value-added flexible and paper packaging products and services. Cats Flexible Packaging (Clondalkin Flexible Packaging), (Clondalkin Flexible Packaging), LPF Flexible Packaging (Clondalkin Flexible Packaging) (Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Elst), and Vaassen Flexible Packaging (Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Vaassen) are a few of its subsidiaries. Clondalkin Flexible Packaging is a group of 11 companies with production facilities across US and Europe. The group has seven production facilities across the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. It caters to the food & beverage, confectionery, dairy, bakery, and tobacco markets across 43 countries worldwide.
CONSTANTIA FLEXIBLES
Company Headquarters: US Founded: 1980 Workforce: ~8,500 Company Working: Constantia Flexibles, a subsidiary of Constantia Packaging AG, is engaged in manufacturing and offering packaging solutions, including flexible packaging and labels. The company provides packaging solutions for food products, pharma products, home and personal care products, and beverages. It offers flexible packaging for food products such as coffee, confectionery, dairy, dressings & liquids, dried foods, pet care, processed and preserved meat, fish, vegetables and fruits, ready meals and desserts, retort food products, and snacks. Its home and personal care packaging products, including solutions for skin and sun care, hair care, bath and shower, cosmetics, fragrances, oral care, shaving products, soaps, wipes, baby diapers and feminine hygiene, contraceptives, detergent liquids, capsules, and tabs and powders. The company also offers injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming solutions. It supplies products to customers in the food & beverage, pet food, and pharmaceutical industries. The company has operations in Austria, Germany, countries in the rest of Western Europe, countries in Central and Eastern Europe, countries in the Americas, countries in Africa, Australia, countries in Asia, and countries included in Oceania.
PROAMPAC
Company Headquarters: US Founded: 1966 Workforce: ~ 4,000 Company Working: ProAmpac, a subsidiary of Pritzker Group, is a leading global flexible packaging company manufacturing and supplying paper and plastic packaging products. It offers products such as film design, lamination, graphics, pouches, pre-formed pouches and bags, and plastic merchandise bags. The company provides retort pouches for food packaging, including shaped flexible pouches for food, pet food, and pharmaceutical applications, under its FlexiBOWL brand. It offers stand-up pouches and spouted pouches and custom printed plastic packaging bags for food, industrial, and janitorial applications, under its E-Z ZIP brand. The company has 34 manufacturing centers in seven countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and countries in Southeast Asia. It offers its products to customers in the food & beverage, health & beauty, garden &specialty, pet, and retail markets across 90 countries worldwide.
WINPAK LTD
Company Headquarters: Canada Founded: 1977 Workforce: ~2,400 Company Working: Winpak Ltd (Winpak) is a leading manufacturer and distributor of packaging materials and related packaging machines. The company is a subsidiary of Wihuri International Oy (Wihuri Group), a manufacturer and distributor of flexible packaging products and related packaging machinery and spare parts in Europe and North America. The group’s packaging division comprises two international brands, namely, WIPAK (Europe and Asia) and WINPAK (North America). Winpak’s product portfolio covers health care packaging, rigid packaging, flexible packaging, packaging machinery and parts, and flexible lidding. The company offers products such as thermoforming and lidding films, die-cut, rolling stock and daisy chain lidding, containers, lamination, pouchstock, and cup and pouch packing machines. The company operates through three segments, namely, rigid packaging and flexible lidding, flexible packaging, and packaging machinery. The rigid packaging and flexible lidding segment covers rigid containers and lidding products. The flexible packaging segment comprises the modified atmosphere packaging, specialty films and biaxially oriented nylon product groups. The packaging machinery segment covers horizontal fill and seal machines for preformed containers and vertical form and fill and seal pouch machines for pumpable liquid and semi-liquid and certain dry products. Winpak also provides technical services such as maintenance services, package machineability and performance testing, packaging machinery training programs, packaging systems installation and integration, package design and development, material compatibility testing, and microbiological contamination support. The company serves the food and beverage, industrial, packaging machinery, and health care markets. It has manufacturing facilities across the US, Mexico, and Canada.
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
Company Headquarters: US Founded: 1899 Workforce: ~23,000 Company Working: Sonoco Products Company (Sonoco) is a global manufacturer of industrial and consumer packaging products. The company serves a diverse variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. Its product portfolio includes metal and peelable membrane ends and closures, retort pouches, plastic bottles and jars, cable reels and spools, rigid containers and trays, and metal, wooden, and composite wires. Its products have applications in consumer packed goods, food, personal care, home, textiles, construction, automotive, municipal and residential, medical, cosmetics, advertising, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, and office furnishings. Sonoco operates through four segments, namely, consumer packaging, paper and industrial converted products, display and packaging, and protective solutions. The company operates in 33 countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, and Mexico. It has 318 operation plants to produce and supply its products worldwide. Sonoco Deutschland Holdings GmbH, Sonoco Development, Inc., and Sonoco Alcore GmbH are some of the subsidiaries of the company.
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Retort Packaging Market