As of September 2023
Flexible Packaging Facts and Figures
The U.S flexible packaging industry is vibrant and growing because it creates unique solutions for many packaging challenges. Following are some facts and figures that offer a snapshot of the industry.
Industry Sales
The Flexible Packaging industry had $42.9 billion in sales in the United States in 2022.
Market Size
Flexible Packaging is the second largest packaging segment in the U.S., garnering about 21% of the $180.3 billion U.S. packaging market.
Export Percentage
Exports account for nearly 9% percent of total U.S. flexible packaging shipments.
Employment Impact
The U.S. flexible packaging industry directly employs over 85,000 people.
Manufacturing Diversity
Flexible packaging converters range from small manufacturing companies operating a single facility to large integrated corporations with multiple plant locations. The top ten states make up 58% of flexible packaging locations.
Largest Market Segment
The largest market for flexible packaging is food (retail and institutional), accounting for about 50% of shipments.
Other Markets
Other markets for flexible packaging include pet food – 2%; personal care – 5%; beverages – 6%; other non-food – 9%; industrial applications – 7%; consumer products – 2%; and medical and pharmaceutical – 16%.