The ASEAN sales of flexible plastic packaging are estimated to be worth USD 5,780.0 million in 2025 and anticipated to reach a value of USD 9,967.1 million by 2035. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 5.6% over the forecast period between 2025 and 2035. The revenue generated by flexible plastic packaging in 2024 was USD 5,536.4 million. The industry is anticipated to exhibit a Y-o-Y growth of 5.4% in 2025.
The ASEAN flexible plastic packaging market is building huge demand, coming mainly from the food and beverage industry, accounting for 50.6% for a major share due to the developing population in the region, urbanization, and increasing consumption of packaged food. Fresh produce, frozen foods, and processed snacks greatly rely on high-barrier films and Modified Atmosphere Packaging to extend shelf life, keep fresh, and secure the quality and safety of the products.
The beverage sector and related items, such as ready-to-drink teas, juices, and dairy-based beverages, rely on lightweight solutions, including spouted pouches and shrink films, in light of consumers increasingly demanding convenience and portability. These formats should play a pivotal role in solving the logistics issues of reducing transportation costs and diminishing packaging waste-issues in line with regional sustainability objectives.
ASEAN Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2024 | USD 5,536.4 million |
| Estimated Size, 2025 | USD 5,780.0 million |
| Projected Size, 2035 | USD 9,967.1 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 5.6% |
Oil-based polymers are the most used mainly because they are affordable and can be processed into films, pouches, and rigid containers. Polyethylene is the resin of choice for films and wraps for moisture sensitive products like fresh fruits, vegetables and baked products. High heat resistance and clarity make it highly used in snack foods, frozen items, and beverages.
They have application in ASEAN's mass-producing processes for these materials as they meet almost every packaging specification here. Its application has this significantly increased valuation with a rate and can amount up to 1,884.3 USD by 2025, significantly large enough portion from the region in the industry-wide packaging value stream.
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The below table presents the expected CAGR for the ASEAN flexible plastic packaging market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2025 to 2035. In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2024 to 2034, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 5.0%, followed by a higher growth rate of 6.2% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 5.0% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 6.2% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 | 4.8% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 | 6.4% (2025 to 2035) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2035, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 4.8% in the first half and increase to 6.4% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 20 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed an increase of 20 BPS.
Adoption of Flexible Plastic Packaging in the ASEAN Food Industry
Flexible plastic packaging is lightweight, inexpensive, and convenient. Thus, it is the appropriate selection for the food industry of ASEAN. As an illustration, Indofood and Mondelez International are already utilizing flexible pouches for ready-to-eat items and snack. It will enable easy transportation of the products while also increasing its shelf life. Now, the customer prefers convenience with sustainability. Therefore, recyclable materials and new design innovations drive demand for flexible plastic packaging across the region.
Growth of Flexible Packaging in ASEAN’s E-commerce Sector
Flexible plastic packing is becoming increasingly used in the ASEAN e-commerce market. Shipping solutions in such packaging are light in weight, cheap, and durable. Companies like Lazada and Shopee now use flexible pouches and wraps for packing apparels to electronics.
An additional factor that has boosted the usage trend of flexible plastic packaging is the boom in online grocery shopping, since such packaging shields perishables and reduces the cost of logistics significantly. There's further likely to be technological innovation within the sector, as demand for green, biodegradable packaging increases.
Challenges in Adopting Sustainable Packaging Solutions
While flexible plastic packaging provides many benefits, the ASEAN market is showing an increasing concern over the environmental impact. Indeed, there is a push towards biodegradable and recyclable packaging options. However, a lack of complete recycling infrastructure holds back flexible packaging.
Moreover, the higher cost of sustainable materials is also a deterrent to widespread adoption, particularly for small-scale businesses. Glass or metal packaging for certain products remains the preferred option for consumers in premium segments because brand image and luxury perception are going to play a major role. Bridging the gap between cost and sustainability remains one of the main focuses of the industry.
The ASEAN flexible plastic packaging industry recorded a CAGR of 4.4% during the historical period between 2020 and 2024. The growth of the flexible plastic packaging industry was positive as it reached a value of USD 5,536.4 million in 2024 from USD 4,660.4 million in 2020.
There is growth in the sales of flexible plastic packaging. This calls for light, strong, and recyclable flexible packaging solutions that consumers are demanding. Rising awareness on waste reduction means companies and consumers alike are keen on environmentally friendly alternatives as compared to such materials. This shift opens up opportunities towards sustainable flexible packaging in food, personal care, and e-commerce markets.
It will increase because sustainability is going to stay one of the prime concerns of consumers and manufacturers in the region. In addition, advancements in material science and recycling technologies are going to make flexible packaging all the more desirable. A reduction in the use of single-use plastics and consumers' demand for green products are going to further fuel the market.
This more sustainable and intensely adopted product will allow flexibility in the kind of packaging preferred while remaining core business for the packaging industry - therefore with both economic and environmental benefits.
Tier 1 company leaders are characterized by high production technology and a wide product portfolio. These market leaders are distinguished by their extensive expertise in manufacturing and reconditioning across multiple packaging formats and a broad geographical reach, underpinned by a robust consumer base. They provide a wide range of series including reconditioning, recycling, and manufacturing utilizing the latest technology and meeting the regulatory standards providing the highest quality. Prominent companies within Tier 1 include Berry Global, Inc., Amcor plc, Sonoco Products Company, Mondi Group, Sealed Air Corporation.
Tier 2 companies are characterized by a strong presence overseas and strong market knowledge. These market players have good technology and ensure regulatory compliance but may not have advanced technology and wide ASEAN reach. Prominent companies in Tier 2 include Prepack Thailand Co., Ltd., Constantia Flexibles GmbH, AR Packaging Group, SCIENTEX, HEXACHASE GROUP.
Tier 3 includes the majority of small-scale companies operating at the local presence and serving niche markets. These companies are notably oriented towards fulfilling local market demands and are consequently classified within the tier 3 share segment. They are small-scale players and have limited geographical reach. Tier 3, within this context, is recognized as an unorganized market, denoting a sector characterized by a lack of extensive structure and formalization when compared to organized competitors.
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The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. By material type, oil base polymers are projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% through 2025 to 2035. Additionally, food end uses are predicted to grow at a CAGR of 5.1%.
| Packaging Type | Value Share (2035) |
|---|---|
| MAP (Modified Atmospheric Packaging) | 46.3% |
MAP continues to take the lead of the worth of ASEAN for flexible plastic packaging. Among reasons are fresh or organic products; seafood; and food including pre-cooked, which still increase the demand with still needs on that one. The three play an essential role in boosting their shelf life due to the high value products while remaining sensory.
For instance, premium seafood brands in ASEAN countries extensively utilize it to ensure freshness and quality, all the way from the processing line to the retail shelves. Packaging tropical fruits with MAP also became very intense with respect to the latter's help to exporters to maintain the integrity of their products while shipped over long distances.
| Product Type | Value Share (2035) |
|---|---|
| Films and Wraps | 34.9% |
Among the frequently used flexible plastic packaging products on the ASEAN market, film and wraps ranked first in relevance, attributed by their good barriers against moisture and oxygen. Film and wraps, for instance are widely applied when packaging fresh produces, snacks and frozen food commodities.
The major application of snack packaging can include polypropylene. PP films mainly offer good high clarity as well as excellent sealing properties. In the logistics sector, stretch films are used more and more for palletization, ensuring secure transport and sustainability practices. Focus on recyclable and biodegradable materials further supports the region's environmental initiatives, reinforcing the market's shift toward sustainable packaging solutions.
Key players operating in the flexible plastic packaging market are investing in the development of innovative sustainable solutions and also entering into partnerships. Key flexible plastic packaging providers have also been acquiring smaller players to grow their presence to further penetrate the flexible plastic packaging market across multiple regions.
Key Players of the Flexible Plastic Packaging Industry
The ASEAN flexible plastic packaging industry is projected to witness CAGR of 5.6% between 2025 and 2035.
The ASEAN flexible plastic packaging industry stood at USD 5,536.4 million in 2024.
The ASEAN flexible plastic packaging industry is anticipated to reach USD 9,967.1 million by 2035 end.
Vietnam sub-region region is set to record the highest CAGR of 6.4% in the assessment period.
The key players operating in the ASEAN flexible plastic packaging industry include Berry Global, Inc., Amcor plc, Sonoco Products Company, Mondi Group, Sealed Air Corporation.
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ASEAN Flexible Plastic Packaging Market
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