The folding IBC market size of ASEAN will reach up to USD 53.7 million by 2025 and will reach USD 98.9 million for the market by 2035. Sales will be growing at a CAGR of 6.3% in the forecast period from 2025 to 2035. Folding IBC revenue in ASEAN was up to USD 51.0 million in the year 2024.
Folding IBCs are currently leading in chemical applications in ASEAN due to the burgeoning chemical manufacturing sector, high volumes of exports, and need for cost-efficient transportation of large quantities. Logistics costs are reduced by collapsible IBCs, while durability ensures safe handling of hazardous materials, as such designs meet the stringent safety criteria and space constraints in urban hubs of the industry.
Based on these ideal applications of folding IBCs for chemicals, the chemical industry will dominate by holding a market share of 42% in the evaluation period.
ASEAN Folding IBC Industry Forecast
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2024 | USD 51.0 million |
| Estimated Size, 2025 | USD 53.7 million |
| Projected Size, 2035 | USD 98.9 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 6.3% |
The industries in ASEAN prefer folding IBCs with an optimum capacity of 501 to 1,000 L for a high volume that can be easily handled. Such a size satisfies regional export requirements, space restraints, and diverse applications in both chemicals and food sectors. As such, the market for folding IBCs of 500 to 1000 L capacities will be way above 52% of others during the forecasting period.
The folding IBC market in the ASEAN is estimated to grow during the estimated period profitably and with a specific level of traction. In addition, it will create an incremental opportunity value of USD 47.9 million as well as grow 1.9 times from the base year for 2035.
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Rise in Cross-Border Trade and Export Pushes Need for Bulk Transit Solutions
Cross-border trade has become high because ASEAN is strategically located and ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are agreed on. Folding IBCs, in fact, are essential parts of this boom, as it would ensure the transport of chemicals, food ingredients, and raw materials on a mass scale in a relatively efficient way. Their durability ensures product safety during long-haul shipping, and compatibility with global shipping standards simplifies logistics.
For example, the electronics and textile industries in Vietnam, which are currently booming, require folding IBCs for exporting materials such as polymers, dyes, and electronic components. The return logistics costs of the collapsible containers align with cost-sensitive export operations in ASEAN. This efficiency directly supports regional trade growth and global market integration.
Growing Food & Beverage Demand Leads to High Usage of Folding IBC in ASEAN
The food and beverage industry in the ASEAN region is in a rapid expansion, given an ever-growing population, urbanization, and an increase in consumption of convenient food and beverage items. Folding IBCs support this growth with effective transportation for bulk syrups, liquid concentrates, and dry ingredients. The demand for bulk transport in Malaysia is high because of a rise in disposable income and more people preferring packaged and processed food.
Similarly, the Philippines is experiencing growing adoption of folding IBCs as food exports expand and local production increases to meet consumer demand. The collapsible design of the containers reduces logistics costs, and their reusability supports sustainability goals, which are in line with regional trends in cost-effective and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Challenges in Maintaining Folding IBC Cleanliness Standards May Affect Market Growth
The IBCs, being folding in nature, can be utilized for more than one cycle and should be cleaned after each cycle to ensure the hygiene factor remains intact. But cleaning the IBCs is bound to consume a certain amount of time, machinery, and labor; hence it leads to the incurred cost on operational activities.
For example, a pharmaceutical firm would need to wash folding IBCs in particular processes for them to be clean for reuse. Additionally, firms have to test and fix any damage on the containers to avoid their degradation. These additional procedures make it complex and costly; hence, some companies opt for disposable containers or simple alternatives rather than folding IBCs.
The ASEAN folding IBC market recorded a CAGR of 5.0% during the historical period between 2020 and 2024. Market growth of folding IBC in ASEAN was positive as it reached a value of USD 51.0 million in 2024 from USD 41.6 million in 2020.
Folding IBCs sales are slowly on the rise as industries are in search of affordable, environmentally friendly packaging options. More and more manufacturers and logistics operators are turning to reusable and space-saving containers in step with the sustainability trend in manufacturing and logistics, thus driving up the demand for folding IBCs in bulk transport and storage.
The demand for folding IBCs is expected to pick up pace in new areas like chemicals, food & beverages, and pharmaceuticals. With the increasing focus of the industries in the region on supply chain efficiency and environmental impact, the role of folding IBCs will be critical in reducing logistics costs and their reusability will even more effectively cater to long-term packaging strategies.
Tier 1 companies comprise market leaders capturing significant market share in global market. These market leaders are characterized by high production capacity and a wide product portfolio. These market leaders are distinguished by their extensive expertise in manufacturing across multiple packaging formats and a broad geographical reach, underpinned by a robust consumer base.
They provide a wide range of series including recycling and manufacturing utilizing the latest technology and meeting the regulatory standards providing the highest quality. Prominent companies within tier 1 include Schoeller Allibert, Grief Inc among others.
Tier 2 companies include mid-size players having presence in specific regions and highly influencing the local market. These 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 global reach. Prominent companies in tier 2 include Schoeller Allibert, Grief Inc., Loscam, Pyramid Technoplast Ltd, TPL Plastech Limited.
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.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. In terms of capacity, 501 to 1000 L folding IBCs are estimated to account for a share over 45% by 2035. By material, plastic folding IBCs are projected to dominate by holding a share of 59.7% by the end 2035.
| Capacity | Market Share (2035) |
|---|---|
| 501 to 1000 L | 45% |
Folding IBCs with 501 to 1000 liter capacity are popular in ASEAN, more specifically among the food and beverage sector in Thailand. The demand of the country for mass transportation of ingredients such as syrup and edible oils calls for this mid-range folding IBC.
In general, the frequent product variation and small production lots under the consumption levels in Thai manufacturing support these mid-range folding IBCs for quicker changeovers and flexible accommodation. In addition, growing sustainability concerns in Thailand's packaging sector, due to local environmental regulations, promote the use of reusable like folding IBCs, reducing waste and lowering carbon footprints in logistics.
| Material | Market Share (2035) |
|---|---|
| Plastic Folding IBCs | 59.7% |
In the ASEAN region, plastic folding IBCs are preferred over metal IBCs due to the latter's fragility while working in industries like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in Indonesia. For example, the cosmetic manufacturing industry in Indonesia prefers lightweight corrosion-resistant containers; plastic IBCs provide such features and guarantee the safe transportation of such fragrances and essential oils raw material as well as any other sensitive materials.
Flexibility of plastic folding IBC suits small to medium-sized production runs, which is the norm of growing local brands in Indonesia. The humid climate also makes it a better material because metal IBCs can rust and get rusty, demanding more maintenance that will lead to less efficiency and even cost.
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Key players of ASEAN folding IBC industry are developing and launching new products in the market. They are integrating with different firms and extending their geographical presence. Few of them are also collaborating and partnering with local brands and start-up companies for new product development.
Key Developments in ASEAN Folding IBC Market
In terms of material, the Folding IBC market is divided into Plastic Folding IBCs and metal Folding IBCs
In terms of capacity, the Folding IBC market is segmented into Up to 500 L, 501 to 1000 L and 1001 to 1,500 L.
The Folding IBC market includes chemicals, petrochemical products, paints, inks, & dye, food & beverage, automotive & mechanical parts, cosmetics & toiletries and others.
Packaging content of folding IBC include Liquid, Solid & Semisolid.
Key countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Rest of ASEAN are covered.
The ASEAN folding IBC industry is projected to witness CAGR of 6.3% between 2025 and 2035.
The ASEAN folding IBC industry stood at USD 51.0 million in 2024.
ASEAN folding IBC industry is anticipated to reach USD 98.9 million by 2035 end.
Vietnam is set to record a CAGR of 7.0% in assessment period.
The key players operating in the ASEAN folding IBC industry are include Schoeller Allibert, Grief Inc among others.
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ASEAN Folding IBC Market
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