Bag In Box Container Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2023-2030)

Bag-in-box containers are plastic bags kept inside a cardboard box to keep the product intact and in shape which makes it a combination of flexible and rigid packaging. Bag-in-box containers have been gaining popularity in multiple industries due to their potential to keep products safe and extend their shelf life. It also promotes sustainable packaging by using less plastic and more cardboard which is easily recyclable. It is easily transportable owing to the shape of the bag. It can be used to carry a wide range of products including dry as well as liquid base products. The bag-in-box container market is growing at a tremendous rate owing to the higher demand for packaged goods and beverages. For instance, according to ROI Revolution reports in October 2022, spending on consumer-packaged goods (CPG) increased 5.2% to USD 19.4 billion in 2020, and US digital ad spending for CPG increased 16.4% to $22.58 billion in 2021. Other factors such as the increase in ecologically safer and sustainable packaging, an upsurge in the e-commerce sector, rising alcohol consumption, increased utilization of bag-in-box containers in industries, and a rise in the urban population are driving factors for the market. For instance, in February 2023, SEE announced the completion of the acquisition of Liquibox for USD 1.15 billion. This deal was aimed at fast-tracking SEE's mission to become a world-leading, digitally-driven company leveraging the power of sustainable packaging solutions, including bag-in-box containers.

The Bag in Box Container Market is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period owing to the rising demand for ecologically safer and sustainable packaging. For instance, in June 2023, Aran Group introduced the new Premium Flex bag in the sustainable product line. The Premium Flex bag is exclusively designed for long-distance transport of liquid products. Several other factors such as an increased number of product launches, increased usage of bag-in-box containers in the fitness industry, awareness programs regarding recyclable products, company collaborations, and product launches are also leading to the surge in the market. For instance, in April 2023, SIG announced the commencement of its second production plant for bag-in-box and spouted pouches in Palghar, India. The plant includes a range of specialized machines including bag-in-box manufacturing machines, injection molding cells, blown film extruders, and a mold-making facility for packaging fixtures & closures for bag-in-box containers & spouted pouches.

Based on material type, the market is segmented into ethylene vinyl alcohol, low-density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, and others. The low-density polyethylene segment held the highest share in the market in the year 2022 owing to its high demand in packing regular-use products like bread, and frozen food items. They are used for packing products that require less strength in packaging. Manufacturers strive to improve their product's user experience to make it more accessible. These packages have outstanding oxygen barriers, are chemically resistant, and are reliable. Companies are adopting collaboration strategies to chase competition in the market. For example, in September 2022, Hanwha Solutions Corporation collaborated with LyondellBasell to use their Lupotech T high-pressure polyethylene technology at a recently established facility in Yeosu. This partnership will promote the utilization of a catalyst spherilene, facilitating the production of linear low-density polyethylene and others using flexible gas phase process technology. Hence, the low-density polyethylene segment held a significant share of the market in the year 2022.

Based on capacity, the market is bifurcated into 5 litres, 5-10 litres, 10-15 litres, 15-20 litres, and more than 20 litres. The 5 litres segment is expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to a surge in the growth of these containers for packaging wines and juices for consumer use. Additionally, the increasing popularity of packaged food and innovative product launches for safer and more durable packaging has further increased the demand for intelligent products. For instance, in June 2022, DS Smith, in collaboration with Spadel launched Eco Pack, a new 5-litre bag-in-box packaging solution, which is intended to be both practical and sustainable, with a momentous reduction in plastic usage, of over 65%, compared to conventional packaging. Thus, the 5 litres segment is expected to gain prominence in the market in the forecast period.

Based on application, the market is segmented into food & beverage, industrial liquids, household products, and others. The food & beverages category held the highest share of the market in 2022. This can be attributed to the better lifestyle, rising per capita income, disposable incomes of people in developed nations, and surge in awareness about healthier products among consumers. For instance, in October 2021, as per the Indian Institute of Packaging, packaging consumption in India has increased to 200% in the past decade, rising from 4.3 to 8.6 kg per person per annum. Thus, the food & beverages segment held dominance in the market in the year 2022.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the bag-in-box container industry, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, and Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. APAC is expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growing number of bag-in-box container manufacturing companies in Asia-Pacific contributes to the growth of the market in this region. Also, rising per capita income, and surge in industrialization, burgeoning economies, an upsurge of FMCG markets, and increased urbanization are driving the growth of this segment. For example, according to the Packaging Industry Association of India in October 2021, the packaging industry is the fifth largest sector of the Indian economy. Hence, given the large population size of APAC, it is expected to grow with a high CAGR during the forecast period.

Some of the major players operating in the market include: Amcor plc; Aran Group; Arlington Packaging Ltd; BERNHARDT Packaging & Process; CDF Corporation; DS Smith; FUJIMORI KOGYO CO., LTD; Goglio SpA; Smurfit Kappa; and Optopack Ltd.