Protective Packaging

10th Edition

This study includes COVID-19 Impact discussion.

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

E-Commerce Packaging

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.

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).

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.

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Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

2. Overview

Key Findings

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

Demand by Type

Historical Market Trends

Pricing Trends

Material Trends

Paper vs. Plastics

Demand by Material

Sustainability Goals Affecting Material Mix

Functions of Protective Packaging

Consumer Insights

Consumer Attitudes: Sustainable Packaging

Consumer Attitudes: Recycling & Environmental Responsibility

Consumer Attitudes: Recycling Packaging & Bags

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

3. Protective Packaging Markets

Key Findings

Demand by Market

Durable Goods Manufacturing

Nondurable Goods Manufacturing

E-Commerce

E-Commerce: Market Size

E-Commerce: Demand by Product

Retail & Other Markets

4. Flexible Protective Packaging

Key Findings

Demand by Product

Flexible Protective Packaging Suppliers

Protective Mailers

Protective Mailers: Scope

Protective Mailers: Characteristics & Applications

Protective Mailers: Demand by Type & Market

Protective Mailers: Suppliers

Bubble Packaging

Bubble Packaging: Scope

Bubble Packaging: Characteristics & Applications

Bubble Packaging: Demand by Market

Bubble Packaging: Suppliers

Air Pillows

Air Pillows: Scope

Air Pillows: Characteristics & Applications

Air Pillows: Demand by Market

Air Pillows: Suppliers

Paper Fill

Paper Fill: Scope

Paper Fill: Characteristics & Applications

Paper Fill: Demand by Market

Paper Fill: Suppliers

Dunnage Bags

Dunnage Bags: Scope

Dunnage Bags: Characteristics & Applications

Dunnage Bags: Demand by Material & Market

Dunnage Bag: Suppliers

Surface Protection Films

Surface Protection Films: Scope

Surface Protection Films: Characteristics & Applications

Surface Protection Films: Demand Outlook

Surface Protection Film: Suppliers

Other Flexible Protective Packaging Products

Other Flexible Protective Packaging Products: Demand Outlook

Other Flexible Products: Suppliers

5. Foam Protective Packaging

Key Findings

Demand by Product

Foam Protective Packaging Suppliers

Insulated Shipping Containers

Insulated Shipping Containers: Scope

Insulated Shipping Containers: Characteristics

Insulated Shipping Containers: Applications

Insulated Shipping Containers: Demand by Application & Market

Insulated Shipping Containers: Suppliers

Molded Foam

Molded Foam: Scope & Characteristics

Molded Foam: Demand by Material & Market

Expanded Polystyrene Molded Foam: Demand Outlook

Polyolefin Molded Foam: Demand Outlook

Polyurethane Molded Foam: Demand Outlook

Molded Foams: Suppliers

Foam-in-Place Polyurethane

Foam-in-Place Polyurethane: Scope

Foam-in-Place Polyurethane: Characteristics & Applications

Foam-in-Place Polyurethane: Demand by Market

Foam-in-Place: Suppliers

Polyolefin Rolled Foam

Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Scope

Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Characteristics & Applications

Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Demand by Market

Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Suppliers

Loose Fill

Loose Fill: Scope & Characteristics

Loose Fill: Demand by Material & Market

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

Other Foam Products: Suppliers

6. Rigid Protective Packaging

Key Findings

Demand by Type

Rigid Protective Packaging Suppliers

Paperboard Protectors

Paperboard Protectors: Scope

Paperboard Protectors: Characteristics & Applications

Paperboard Protectors: Demand by Market

Paperboard Protectors: Suppliers

Molded Pulp

Molded Pulp: Scope

Molded Pulp: Characteristics & Applications

Molded Pulp: Demand by Market

Molded Pulp: Suppliers

Other Rigid Protective Packaging Products

Other Rigid Protective Packaging Products: Demand by Market

Other Rigid Products: Suppliers

7. Industry Structure

Key Findings & Industry Composition

Market Share

Mergers & Acquisitions

Marketing & Distribution

Competitive Strategies

Cooperative Agreements

List of Industry Participants

8. Appendix

Scope

Definitions

Abbreviations

Freedonia Methodology

Study-Specific Methodology

Sources

Related Freedonia Group Studies

Macroeconomic Assumptions

Economic Environment

Demographics

Manufacturers' Shipments

Retail Sales & E-Commerce Outlook

List of Tables

2. Overview

Table 2-1 | Protective Packaging Demand by Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 2-2 | Protective Packaging Demand by Material, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 2-3 | Protective Packaging Product Functionality

Table 2-4 | Consumer Attitudes about Sustainable Packaging by Gender & Age Group, 2019 (percent of respondents)

Table 2-5 | Consumer Attitudes about Recycling & Environmental Responsibility by Gender, 2019 (percent of respondents & index)

Table 2-6 | Consumer Attitudes about Recycling & Sustainable Packaging by Gender & Age Group, 2019 (percent of respondents)

3. Protective Packaging Markets

Table 3-1 | Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 3-2 | Durable Goods Manufacturing Protective Packaging Demand by Type & Product, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 3-3 | Nondurable Goods Manufacturing Protective Packaging Demand by Material & Product, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 3-4 | E-Commerce Protective Packaging Demand by Type & Product, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 3-5 | Retail & Other Markets Protective Packaging Demand by Type & Product, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

4. Flexible Protective Packaging

Table 4-1 | Flexible Protective Packaging Demand by Product, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 4-2 | Flexible Protective Packaging: Selected Suppliers

Table 4-3 | Protective Mailers: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 4-4 | Protective Mailer Demand by Type & Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 4-5 | Bubble Packaging: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 4-6 | Bubble Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 4-7 | Air Pillows: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 4-8 | Air Pillow Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 4-9 | Paper Fill: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 4-10 | Paper Fill Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 4-11 | Dunnage Bags: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 4-12 | Dunnage Bag Demand by Material & Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 4-13 | Surface Protection Films: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 4-14 | Surface Protection Film Demand, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 4-15 | Other Flexible Protective Packaging Demand, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

5. Foam Protective Packaging

Table 5-1 | Plastic Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Product, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 5-2 | Foam Protective Packaging: Selected Suppliers

Table 5-3 | Insulated Shipping Containers: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 5-4 | Insulated Shipping Container Demand by Application & Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 5-5 | Molded Foam: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 5-6 | Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Material & Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 5-7 | Foam-in-Place Polyurethane: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 5-8 | Foam-in-Place Polyurethane Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 5-9 | Polyolefin Rolled Foam: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 5-10 | Polyolefin Rolled Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 5-11 | Loose Fill: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 5-12 | Loose Fill Protective Packaging Demand by Material & Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 5-13 | Other Plastic Foam Protective Packaging Demand, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

6. Rigid Protective Packaging

Table 6-1 | Rigid Protective Packaging Demand by Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 6-2 | Rigid Protective Packaging: Selected Suppliers

Table 6-3 | Paperboard Protectors: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 6-4 | Paperboard Protector Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 6-5 | Molded Pulp: Advantages, Disadvantages, & Key Applications

Table 6-6 | Molded Pulp Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Table 6-7 | Other Rigid Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

7. Industry Structure

Table 7-1 | US Protective Packaging Sales by Company, 2019 (million dollars)

Table 7-2 | Selected Mergers & Acquisitions

Table 7-3 | Selected Cooperative Agreements

Table 7-4 | Selected Industry Participants

8. Appendix

Table 8-1 | Study Scope: US Protective Packaging Products & Markets

Table 8-2 | Relevant HS Codes

Table 8-3 | Relevant Industry Codes

Table 8-4 | Abbreviations & Acronyms Used in Study

Table 8-5 | Macroeconomic Indicators, 2009 - 2024 (billion 2012 dollars)

Table 8-6 | Population & Households, 2009 - 2024 (million persons)

Table 8-7 | Manufacturers' Shipments, 2009 - 2024 (billion dollars & billion 2012 dollars)

Table 8-8 | Retail & E-Commerce Sales, 2014 - 2024 (billion dollars)

List of Figures

1. Executive Summary

Figure 1-1 | Key Trends in the US Protective Packaging Market

2. Overview

Figure 2-1 | Key Trends in the US Market for Protective Packaging

Figure 2-2 | Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2019 (million dollars)

Figure 2-3 | Protective Packaging Demand Share by Material, 2019 (billion dollars)

Figure 2-4 | Intertape Polymer Group & HexcelPack's Curby Mailer

Figure 2-5 | Ecovative Design's Mushroom-Based Foam Packaging

3. Protective Packaging Markets

Figure 3-1 | Key Trends for Protective Packaging Markets

Figure 3-2 | Durable Goods Manufacturing: Protective Packaging Demand Share by Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Figure 3-3 | Nondurable Goods Manufacturing: Protective Packaging Demand Share by Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Figure 3-4 | E-Commerce Share of Retail Sales & Annual Growth, 2014 - 2019 (percentage)

Figure 3-5 | E-Commerce Protective Packaging Demand Share by Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Figure 3-6 | Retail & Other Markets: Protective Packaging Demand Share by Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

4. Flexible Protective Packaging

Figure 4-1 | Key Trends for Flexible Protective Packaging

Figure 4-2 | Protective Mailer Product Example

Figure 4-3 | Bubble Packaging Product Example

Figure 4-4 | Air Pillow Product Example

Figure 4-5 | Paper Fill Product Example

Figure 4-6 | Dunnage Bag Product Example

Figure 4-7 | Surface Protection Film Product Example

5. Foam Protective Packaging

Figure 5-1 | Key Trends for Foam Protective Packaging

Figure 5-2 | Insulated Shipping Containers Product Example

Figure 5-3 | Molded Foam Product Example

Figure 5-4 | Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand Share by Material, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Figure 5-5 | Expanded Polystyrene Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Figure 5-6 | Polyolefin Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Figure 5-7 | Polyurethane Molded Foam Protective Packaging Demand by Market, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

Figure 5-8 | Foam-in-Place Polyurethane Product Example

Figure 5-9 | Polyolefin Rolled Foam Product Example

Figure 5-10 | Loose Fill Product Example

Figure 5-11 | Loose Fill Protective Packaging Demand Share by Material, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)

6. Rigid Protective Packaging

Figure 6-1 | Key Trends in Rigid Protective Packaging

Figure 6-2 | Paperboard Protectors Product Example

Figure 6-3 | Molded Pulp Product Example

7. Industry Structure

Figure 7-1 | US Protective Packaging Market Share by Company, 2019 (billion dollars)

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

8. Appendix

Figure 8-1 | Annual Growth in Real GDP, 2000 - 2019, Compared to 1980 - 2005 Average (percent)

Figure 8-2 | Annual Population Growth, 2004 - 2019 (percent)