Liz Gyekye / PackagingNews

US converted flexible pack market to hit $18.2bn
in 2015

The US converted flexible packaging market is expected to hit $18.2bn in 2015, according to new research.

The report, Converted flexible packaging, predicts that demand for converted flexible packaging will climb by 3.8% annually to €18.2bn in 2015.

US- based business research company Freedonia Group published the report.

Pouches will experience above-average advances, according to Freedonia, with demand expected to increase by 4.6% yearly to $8bn in 2015.

Growth will be driven by continued conversions to stand-up pouches and healthy gains for flat pouches in a number of markets, along with a smaller environment footprint due to light weight and reduced material use.

According to the report, the “aging of rigid packaging equipment will create openings for replacements by pouch packaging equipment over the coming decade”.

Researchers also say that plastic bag demand will outpace that of paper bags due to “cost and performance advantages”.

Elsewhere in the report, converted flexible packaging demand in food applications is projected to climb by 4% per year to $12.9bn in 2015.

Researchers say that advances will be driven by favourable demographics and rising demand for convenience-orientated and other processed food items, which often use more costly higher barrier packaging materials for extended shelf life.

The report suggests that the fastest gains are anticipated in beverage, meat and related products, and snack food applications.