Industry Reports

Protective Packaging

This study analyzes the US market for protective packaging by product type (flexible, foam, and rigid) and by market (durable goods manufacturing, nondurable goods manufacturing, e-commerce, and other markets such as retail).

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Report Overview

10th Edition

Featuring 58 tables and 40 figures – now available in Excel and Powerpoint! Learn More

Shipping box containing peanuts and plastic

How will the COVID-19 coronavirus impact the global economy? The Freedonia Group is tracking recent developments and analyzing their impact in an easy to follow Economic Impact Tracker.

Excluded from the scope of this study are:

active insulated shipping containers that employ power sources to maintain a temperature-controlled environment inside an insulated enclosure
retail packaging, such as blister packs and clamshells

Insulated shipping systems – classified as insulated mailers for purposes of this study – are included in the protective mailers section, while containers that use materials other than foam as the insulating agent can be found in the other flexible protective packaging and other rigid protective packaging sections.

Historical data (2009, 2014, and 2019) and forecasts for 2024 are presented for protective packaging demand in current US dollars (including inflation) by product and market.

Executive Summary
- Figure 1-1 | Key Trends in the US Protective Packaging Market
Overview
- Key Findings
  - Figure 2-1 | Key Trends in the US Market for Protective Packaging
- Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
- Demand by Type
  - Table | Protective Packaging Demand by Type, 2009 - 2024
- Historical Market Trends
  - Figure 2-2 | Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2019
- Pricing Trends
- Material Trends
  - Paper vs. Plastics
  - Demand by Material
    - Table | Protective Packaging Demand by Material, 2009 - 2024
    - Figure 2-3 | Protective Packaging Demand Share by Material, 2019
  - Sustainability Goals Affecting Material Mix
    - Figure 2-4 | Intertape Polymer Group & HexcelPack's Curby Mailer
    - Figure 2-5 | Ecovative Design's Mushroom-Based Foam Packaging
- Functions of Protective Packaging
  - Table | Protective Packaging Product Functionality
- Consumer Insights
  - Consumer Attitudes: Sustainable Packaging
    - Table | Consumer Attitudes about Sustainable Packaging by Gender & Age Group, 2019
  - Consumer Attitudes: Recycling & Environmental Responsibility
    - Table | Consumer Attitudes about Recycling & Environmental Responsibility by Gender, 2019
  - Consumer Attitudes: Recycling Packaging & Bags
    - Table | Consumer Attitudes about Recycling & Sustainable Packaging by Gender & Age Group, 2019
- Sustainability Trends
  - Packaging Waste Recovery
  - Recyclable & Biodegradable/Compostable Materials
  - Customization & Source Reduction
  - Packaging & Material Bans
- E-Commerce Trends
  - Bricks & Clicks
  - Right-Sizing & Packaging Optimization
  - Reducing or Eliminating the Need for the Box
- Legal & Regulatory Environment
  - Ozone-Depleting Blowing Agents
  - Polystyrene Feedstocks
  - California & New York City: End-of-Life Labeling & EPS Loose Fill
Protective Packaging Markets
- Key Findings
  - Figure 3-1 | Key Trends for Protective Packaging Markets
- Demand by Market
  - Table | Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
- Durable Goods Manufacturing
  - Table | Durable Goods Manufacturing Protective Packaging Demand by Type & Product, 2009 - 2024
  - Figure 3-2 | Durable Goods Manufacturing: Protective Packaging Demand Share by Type, 2009 – 2024
- Nondurable Goods Manufacturing
  - Table | Nondurable Goods Manufacturing Protective Packaging Demand by Material & Product, 2009 - 2024
  - Figure 3-3 | Nondurable Goods Manufacturing: Protective Packaging Demand Share by Type, 2009 - 2024
- E-Commerce
  - E-Commerce: Market Size
    - Figure 3-4 | E-Commerce Share of Retail Sales & Annual Growth, 2014 - 2019
  - E-Commerce: Demand by Product
    - Table | E-Commerce Protective Packaging Demand by Type & Product, 2009 - 2024
    - Figure 3-5 | E-Commerce Protective Packaging Demand Share by Type, 2009 - 2024
- Retail & Other Markets
  - Table | Retail & Other Markets Protective Packaging Demand by Type & Product, 2009 – 2024
  - Figure 3-6 | Retail & Other Markets: Protective Packaging Demand Share by Type, 2009 - 2024
Flexible Protective Packaging
- Key Findings
  - Figure 4-1 | Key Trends for Flexible Protective Packaging
- Demand by Product
  - Table | Flexible Protective Packaging Demand by Product, 2009 - 2024
- Flexible Protective Packaging Suppliers
  - Table | Flexible Protective Packaging: Selected Suppliers
- Protective Mailers
  - Protective Mailers: Scope
    - Figure 4-2 | Protective Mailer Product Example
  - Protective Mailers: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Protective Mailers: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Protective Mailers: Demand by Type & Market
    - Table | Protective Mailer Demand by Type & Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Protective Mailers: Suppliers
- Bubble Packaging
  - Bubble Packaging: Scope
    - Figure 4-3 | Bubble Packaging Product Example
  - Bubble Packaging: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Bubble Packaging: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Bubble Packaging: Demand by Market
    - Table | Bubble Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Bubble Packaging: Suppliers
- Air Pillows
  - Air Pillows: Scope
    - Figure 4-4 | Air Pillow Product Example
  - Air Pillows: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Air Pillows: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Air Pillows: Demand by Market
    - Table | Air Pillow Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Air Pillows: Suppliers
- Paper Fill
  - Paper Fill: Scope
    - Figure 4-5 | Paper Fill Product Example
  - Paper Fill: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Paper Fill: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Paper Fill: Demand by Market
    - Table | Paper Fill Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Paper Fill: Suppliers
- Dunnage Bags
  - Dunnage Bags: Scope
    - Figure 4-6 | Dunnage Bag Product Example
  - Dunnage Bags: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Dunnage Bags: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Dunnage Bags: Demand by Material & Market
    - Table | Dunnage Bag Demand by Material & Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Dunnage Bag: Suppliers
- Surface Protection Films
  - Surface Protection Films: Scope
    - Figure 4-7 | Surface Protection Film Product Example
  - Surface Protection Films: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Surface Protection Films: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Surface Protection Films: Demand Outlook
    - Table | Surface Protection Film Demand, 2009 - 2024
  - Surface Protection Film: Suppliers
- Other Flexible Protective Packaging Products
  - Other Flexible Protective Packaging Products: Demand Outlook
    - Table | Other Flexible Protective Packaging Demand, 2009 - 2024
  - Other Flexible Products: Suppliers
Foam Protective Packaging
- Key Findings
  - Figure 5-1 | Key Trends for Foam Protective Packaging
- Demand by Product
  - Table | Plastic Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Product, 2009 - 2024
- Foam Protective Packaging Suppliers
  - Table | Foam Protective Packaging: Selected Suppliers
- Insulated Shipping Containers
  - Insulated Shipping Containers: Scope
    - Figure 5-2 | Insulated Shipping Containers Product Example
  - Insulated Shipping Containers: Characteristics
  - Insulated Shipping Containers: Applications
    - Table | Insulated Shipping Containers: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Insulated Shipping Containers: Demand by Application & Market
    - Table | Insulated Shipping Container Demand by Application & Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Insulated Shipping Containers: Suppliers
- Molded Foam
  - Molded Foam: Scope & Characteristics
    - Table | Molded Foam: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
    - Figure 5-3 | Molded Foam Product Example
  - Molded Foam: Demand by Material & Market
    - Table | Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Material & Market, 2009 - 2024
    - Figure 5-4 | Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand Share by Material, 2009 - 2024
  - Expanded Polystyrene Molded Foam: Demand Outlook
    - Figure 5-5 | Expanded Polystyrene Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 – 2024
  - Polyolefin Molded Foam: Demand Outlook
    - Figure 5-6 | Polyolefin Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Polyurethane Molded Foam: Demand Outlook
    - Figure 5-7 | Polyurethane Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Molded Foams: Suppliers
- Foam-in-Place Polyurethane
  - Foam-in-Place Polyurethane: Scope
    - Figure 5-8 | Foam-in-Place Polyurethane Product Example
  - Foam-in-Place Polyurethane: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Foam-in-Place Polyurethane: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Foam-in-Place Polyurethane: Demand by Market
    - Table | Foam-in-Place Polyurethane Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Foam-in-Place: Suppliers
- Polyolefin Rolled Foam
  - Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Scope
    - Figure 5-9 | Polyolefin Rolled Foam Product Example
  - Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Demand by Market
    - Table | Polyolefin Rolled Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Suppliers
- Loose Fill
  - Loose Fill: Scope & Characteristics
    - Table | Loose Fill: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
    - Figure 5-10 | Loose Fill Product Example
  - Loose Fill: Demand by Material & Market
    - Table | Loose Fill Protective Packaging Demand by Material & Market, 2009 - 2024
    - Figure 5-11 | Loose Fill Protective Packaging Demand Share by Material, 2009 - 2024
  - Expanded Polystyrene Loose Fill: Demand Outlook
  - Biodegradable Plastic Loose Fill: Demand Outlook
  - Loose Fill: Suppliers
- Other Foam Protective Packaging Products
  - Other Foam Protective Packaging Products: Demand Outlook
    - Table | Other Plastic Foam Protective Packaging Demand, 2009 - 2024
  - Other Foam Products: Suppliers
Rigid Protective Packaging
- Key Findings
  - Figure 6-1 | Key Trends in Rigid Protective Packaging
- Demand by Type
  - Table | Rigid Protective Packaging Demand by Type, 2009 - 2024
- Rigid Protective Packaging Suppliers
  - Table | Rigid Protective Packaging: Selected Suppliers
- Paperboard Protectors
  - Paperboard Protectors: Scope
    - Figure 6-2 | Paperboard Protectors Product Example
  - Paperboard Protectors: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Paperboard Protectors: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Paperboard Protectors: Demand by Market
    - Table | Paperboard Protector Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Paperboard Protectors: Suppliers
- Molded Pulp
  - Molded Pulp: Scope
    - Figure 6-3 | Molded Pulp Product Example
  - Molded Pulp: Characteristics & Applications
    - Table | Molded Pulp: Advantages, Disadvantages, &Key Applications
  - Molded Pulp: Demand by Market
    - Table | Molded Pulp Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Molded Pulp: Suppliers
- Other Rigid Protective Packaging Products
  - Other Rigid Protective Packaging Products: Demand by Market
    - Table | Other Rigid Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024
  - Other Rigid Products: Suppliers
Industry Structure
- Key Findings & Industry Composition
  - Table | US Protective Packaging Sales by Company, 2019
- Market Share
  - Figure 7-1 | US Protective Packaging Market Share by Company, 2019
  - Figure 7-2 | US Protective Packaging Market: Leading Supplier, 2019
  - Figure 7-3 | US Protective Packaging Market: Second Leading Supplier, 2019
  - Figure 7-4 | US Protective Packaging Market: Third Leading Supplier, 2019
  - Figure 7-5 | US Protective Packaging Market: Fourth Leading Supplier, 2019
- Mergers & Acquisitions
  - Table | Selected Mergers & Acquisitions
- Marketing & Distribution
- Competitive Strategies
- Cooperative Agreements
  - Table | Selected Cooperative Agreements
- List of Industry Participants
  - Table | Selected Industry Participants
Appendix
- Scope
  - Table | Study Scope: US Protective Packaging Products & Markets
  - Table | Relevant HS Codes
  - Table | Relevant Industry Codes
- Definitions
- Abbreviations
  - Table | Abbreviations & Acronyms Used in Study
- Freedonia Methodology
- Study-Specific Methodology
- Sources
- Related Freedonia Group Studies
- Macroeconomic Assumptions
  - Economic Environment
    - Table | Macroeconomic Indicators, 2009 – 2024
    - Figure 8-1 | Annual Growth in Real GDP, 2000 - 2019, Compared to 1980 - 2005 Average
  - Demographics
    - Table | Population & Households, 2009 – 2024
    - Figure 8-2 | Annual Population Growth, 2004 – 2019
  - Manufacturers' Shipments
    - Table | Manufacturers' Shipments, 2009 – 2024
  - Retail Sales & E-Commerce Outlook
    - Table | Retail & E-Commerce Sales, 2014 - 2024

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Featuring 58 tables and 40 figures – now available in Excel and Powerpoint! Learn More

How will the COVID-19 coronavirus impact the global economy? The Freedonia Group is tracking recent developments and analyzing their impact in an easy to follow Economic Impact Tracker.

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