Antimicrobial Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry | 2031

Report Description

Antimicrobial Packaging Market Outlook 2031

The global antimicrobial packaging market size was valued at USD 10.35 billion in 2022, is projected to reach USD 20.52 billion by 2031, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period, 2023–2031. The growth of the market is attributed to the rising concerns over food preservation, quality maintenance, and safety in the food, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries.

Antimicrobial packaging is coated on the inside with various antimicrobial chemicals. These chemicals diffuse and transfer to the contained food during storage and prevent the growth of the bacteria. Food tends to deteriorate with time due to the natural processes, making longer-term challenging. Thus, antimicrobial packaging is used to stop food in packaging from deteriorating.

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Antimicrobial packaging is widely used in several industries including healthcare, food & beverages, personal care, and others. Active packaging extends the shelf life of a variety of food goods, particularly fresh fruit. Food spoilage and degradation are caused by foodborne pathogens and other microbes, especially in fresh items such as whole/cut/raw fish, fruit, meat, and vegetables.

Moreover, food decay is a result of its exposure to an open environment, post-processing, storage, and distribution. The main antimicrobial components found in food packaging are synthetic organic compounds including ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), fungicides, parabens, and other chemicals. However, a recent research study indicates the use of natural antimicrobials such as lysozyme, chitosan, and others.

Blends of natural antimicrobials help enhance antimicrobial efficacy. Typically, blends are added to packaging or utilized in plastic, metal, paperboard, and glass containers as a direct food contact layer. Nisin is a bacteriocin that is licensed by the European Commission and given GRAS status by the US-FDA. It is effective against Gram-positive and spore-forming bacteria.

Nisin is effective in stopping the development of processed foods, such as cheese, dairy products, and processed vegetables, when combined with other antimicrobials such as chitosan, lysozyme, and EDTA. Lysozyme, an antimicrobial compound, is FDA approved and requires specific labeling in the European Union.

The EU allowed silver in food contact materials with a maximum dose of 5% in the form of silver zeolite and with a maximum food migration limit of 0.05 mg/kg, whereas the FDA permitted silver nitrate in foods with a limit of 0.017 mg/kg. Zinc oxide, an antibacterial with GRAS approval, is important for preventing mold in paperboard-based packaging and other polymers.

Research supported by the EU aims to create flexible plastic food film with antibacterial and antioxidant characteristics to slow down food degradation. An antimicrobial coating based on mineral nanotubes spread into plastic foams without food contact was developed as part of the year NanoPack project. The oregano and thyme oils in the films gently release vapor into the package headspace, which kills or slows the growth of bacteria and molds that cause food spoiling.

The packaging extends the shelf-life of yellow cheese, bread, and cherries and upholds the criteria for food quality and safety standards. The packaging option provided by NanoPack fulfills SDG 12 of the UN, which calls for promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected several industry verticals. The manufacturing industry reduces key operations during the pandemic. Additionally, the patients who have been infected by the COVID-19 virus are prone to fungal and bacterial secondary infections. According to information regarding the COVID-19 viral illness obtained from The Lancet, 50% of patients who died from the virus also had secondary infections.

Manufacturers of antimicrobial packaging materials are expected to prioritize safeguarding their personnel, business processes, and supply chains in order to respond to urgent emergencies and discover new operational efficiencies after COVID-19. For instance, upholding social distance, providing hand sanitizers, and ensuring that every employee in the firm has had their vaccinations are anticipated to help t promote the safety and health of the workforce.

The U.S., Germany, Italy, China, and the UK are adversely impacted by the spread of the coronavirus and consequently see a decline in demand for antimicrobial packaging, formerly accounting for the majority of the demand for antimicrobial packaging.

Antimicrobial Packaging Market Dynamics

The report presents a complete market overview, and market dynamics by focusing on the current market trends, existing drivers, growth opportunities, and emerging challenges that shape the outcome or overall performance of the market during the forecast period, 2023 to 2031.

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Major Drivers: Rising demand for packaged food and increasing awareness regarding food wastage

The research report finds that the rising demand for packaged food and increasing awareness regarding food wastage is expected to drive market growth. Nowadays the working population is increasing, thus these people have lesser time for preparing home food. In such cases, packed food is preferred and convenient for the working population.

Moreover, a report from the food waste management organization stated that 931 million tonnes of food were wasted in the year 2019 across the globe and it continues to rise year over year. The food and packaging industry is adapting antimicrobial packaging to avoid food wastage.

Current Restraints: Stringent regulations and fluctuation in the prices of the raw materials

Stringent regulations and fluctuation in the prices of raw materials are projected to hinder market growth. Antimicrobial agents are manufactured from synthetic pathogenic sources. Antimicrobial additives or agents manufactured from natural sources are used for packaging consumable products including medicines and food. Moreover, the poor performance of antimicrobial agents is expected to hamper market growth.

Market Opportunities: Increasing demand from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry

Stringent government regulations are being introduced across the globe regarding the packaging of pharmaceuticals. These regulations are implemented by the pharmaceutical industry to maintain hygiene and preserve the medicinal properties of the drugs. Moreover, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry are susceptible to bacteria and fungal growth that causes detrimental effects on plastic medical devices.

The booming healthcare and pharmaceutical industry in the developing economies including China, India, South Africa, and others are supporting the market growth.

Scope of The Antimicrobial Packaging Market Report

The report on the global antimicrobial packaging market includes an assessment of the market trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Antimicrobial Packaging Market Segment Insights

Active release packaging segment to expand at a considerable CAGR

On the basis of packaging technology types, the antimicrobial packaging market is segmented into active release packaging and controlled release packaging. The active release packaging segment is projected to expand at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. Active technology packaging held over 50% of the overall market in 2015.

Active technological packaging aids in protecting the shelf life of food and maintaining the food quality. The controlled release packaging segment is anticipated to account for a major market share during the forecast period. Controlled release packaging improves safety and quality for a wide range of food products during storage.

Pouches segment to hold a significant share of the market

Based on packaging types, the market is divided into bags, cartons, pouches, and others. The pouches segment is expected to hold a significant share of the market in the coming years, as it is widely used across different industries including agricultural, personal care, food, and healthcare for various applications. The pouches segment accounted for more than 35% of the total antimicrobial packaging in 2015.

The cartons segment accounts for a significant market share, as it is broadly used in the food & beverage industry. The cartons are prepared from paper-based packaging which prevents spoilage of foods.

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Organic acids segment to expand at a substantial CAGR

On the basis of antimicrobial agent types, the antimicrobial packaging market is segregated into organic acids, bacteriocins enzymes, plant extracts, and others. The organic acids segment is anticipated to expand at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The organic acids aid in lowering pH level of food and thus succeeds in the suppression of microbial growth.

Organic acids include lactic acids, citric acid, acetic acid, and lactic acids. These organic acids are broadly used in acidic food products. Prolonged exposure to organic acids in food products causes mild toxicology issues in human beings. The bacteriocins enzymes segment is expected to hold a significant share of the market, as it shows an antagonistic activity against various pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes.

Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria. Bacteriocins have bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects on similar or related bacterial strains.

Plastic segment to register considerable market share

Based on material types, the antimicrobial packaging market is segmented into plastic, biopolymers, paperboard, and others. The plastic segment is projected to register a considerable share of the market in the coming years, owing to its antifungal and antibacterial properties against some bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua.

Moreover, nowadays low-density polyethylene is widely used in antimicrobial packaging. In 2015, the plastic segment accounted for more than 60% of the overall market and emerged as the leading segment. The biopolymers segment is expected to hold a substantial CAGR, due to the rising environmental concerns and regulations regarding the use of synthetic base materials that have caused increased usage of biopolymer coatings.

Biopolymers coatings help in the prevention of moisture transfer into food products. Biopolymers are presumed to replace synthetic plastics in the coming years.

Healthcare segment to expand at a considerable CAGR

On the basis of end-users, the market is segmented into healthcare, personal care, food & beverage, and others. The healthcare segment is projected to expand at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the rising awareness among individuals regarding the recycling of medical products.

The food & beverage segment is anticipated to account for a major market share during the forecast period, due to increasing food-borne diseases. The food industry and packaging industry is adopting antimicrobial packaging for safety and hygiene purposes.

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Asia Pacific is anticipated to constitute a key market share

In terms of regions, the antimicrobial packaging market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to constitute a key share of the market during the forecast period, owing to the rising demand for food among adults & youths and due to the rising prevalence of diseases in the region.

Asia Pacific accounted for over 30% of the total market in 2015. Emerging countries including China and India are anticipated to make the Asia Pacific region a fast-growing market and create lucrative opportunities in the field during the forecast period.

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