Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Liner Market Trends [2031]

Report Description

Intermediate Bulk Container Liner Market Outlook 2031

The global intermediate bulk container liner market size was USD 14.1 Mn in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 21.2 Mn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.3% during 2023–2031. The market growth is attributed to the rising focus on sustainability.

Sustainability is a crucial aspect across various industries, including the use of IBCs. These containers are often used for transporting & storing liquids, powders, and granular materials. These are now being designed with sustainability in mind. The environmental impact of genetic testing is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach to address. The production of genetic testing kits, the transportation of samples, and the disposal of hazardous waste are improved to reduce the environmental impact of genetic testing.

• In May 2023, Tosco launched a new lifecycle analysis (LCA) tool to help companies transporting bulk liquids to reduce their environmental footprint by selecting the sustainable liquid IBC. The LCA tool uses the compass platform developed by Trayak and endorsed by the sustainable packaging coalition.

Get Free Sample Report

The market report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the intermediate bulk container liner market, due to the strict lockdown imposed by governments across the globe. The disruption of the supply chain, the shortage of import & export, and the social distancing impacted the market during the pandemic.

Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Liner Market Dynamics

Get Free Sample Report

Major Drivers  

Increasing pharmaceutical and food industries are expected to boost the IBC liner market during the forecast period. IBCs play a crucial role in both the pharmaceutical and food industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, IBCs are widely used in pharmaceutical manufacturing for various purposes such as storage, transport, and in-container applications.

In the food industry, IBCs find applications in food industries as well such as storage, packaging, transport, and flexible IBCs (FIBCs). These large and flexible bags transport and store bulk quantities of dry or granular materials, including food products. FIBCs hold powders, granules, flakes, minerals, and chemicals.

Increasing customization solutions is projected to drive the IBC market during the forecast period. IBCs are customized to meet specific needs. The choice of material, customized fittings, and custom dimensions. Several companies are collaborating with manufacturers to create custom IBCs that precisely match their needs, which is expected to boost the market in the coming years.

Existing Restraints

Inappropriate storage and stacking practices and methods of filling restrain the market. Incorrect storage and stacking practices lead to deformation, tearing, and damage. Proper stacking techniques and precautions are necessary to maintain flexible IBC integrity. However, strict regulations with a cumbersome installation process are expected to hinder the market in the coming years.

Emerging Opportunities

Rising adoption of new technologies is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players during the forecast period. New technologies such as smart sensors and IoT integration as well as automation and robotics is increasing in the IBCs. IBCs are now equipped with smart sensors that monitor factors such as pressure, temperature, and fill levels.

These smart sensors provide real-time data, enabling improved inventory management, preventive maintenance, and supply chain optimization. Automated systems handle IBC filling, stacking, and transportation. Robotics streamline processes, reduce labor costs, and enhance safety.

Scope of Intermediate Bulk Container Liner Market Report

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

Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Liner Market Segment Insights

Material Type Segment Analysis

Based on material type, the intermediate bulk container liner market is divided into polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, aluminum foil, low-density polyethylene, and others. The polyethylene segment is expected to expand at a significant pace during the projection period, owing to its cost-effectiveness and high flexibility.

Polyethylene liners are specifically designed to line the inner layers of flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) bags to offer an additional layer of protection against natural contamination, moisture intrusion, and dust seeping through the bag weave. They are primarily used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as they manufacture sensitive products.

Get Free Sample Report

Filling Technology Segment Analysis

In terms of filling technology, the global market is segregated into aseptic and non-aseptic. The aseptic segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. Aseptic filling is the process of filling commercially sterilized products into pre-sterilized containers. The containers are sterilized by using techniques such as heat, irradiation, mechanical, and chemical.

Aseptic packaging techniques are popular for the bulk packaging of fresh vegetables and fruits. However, the aseptic filling module, called fillasept, is a fully aseptic standalone unit for filling industrial bulk containers. This system is designed for the safe aseptic filling of bag-in-box containers. The filling head is fully sterilizable, due to its flexible piping and special wheel wagon, and it is easy to handle.

• In March 2023, FirstWave Innovations partnered with ProAmpac to bring aseptic spouted pouches, leveraging the capabilities of ProAmpac, which include low minimum order quality and high flexibility. The companies partnered using the short-run pouching capabilities of ProAmpac to allow co-packers to introduce aseptic shelf-stable liquid food in a convenient and flexible custom-printed spouted pouch using patented aseptic-capable fitment by Scholle IPN.

Capacity Segment Analysis

On the basis of capacity, the intermediate bulk container liner market is segmented into up to 1000 liters and above 1000 liters. The above 1000 liters segment is expected to register a robust growth rate during the forecast period, owing to the increasingly wide application of IBC liners in bulk storage.

The utilization of IBC liner solutions provides cost-effectiveness over barrels and drums for shipping and warehousing of bulk products boosts the demand for IBCs with a capacity range of above 1000 liters. The segment growth is further attributed to the increasing export of food & beverage products and industrial liquids.

The up to 1000 liters segment is projected to hold a large market share in the coming years, due to the increasing use of IBC liners in warehousing and shipping of medium-quality household products as well as food and beverages. The domestic transportation of these products is primarily done in medium quantities, which increases the demand for IBCs with a capacity range of up to 1000 liters.  

End-user Segment Analysis

Based on end-user, the global market is bifurcated into industrial liquids, agriculture, chemicals, food & beverage, household products, and others. The food & beverage segment is further divided into alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, and others. The food & beverage segment is anticipated to account for a major market share in the coming years, owing to the rapidly increasing population and high demand for low-cost foods.

The IBC liners are crucial for various stages in the supply chain of food & beverage products, including shipping, warehousing, and distribution of products such as salad dressings, alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages, and others. The segment growth is further attributed to the increasing international trade of food & beverage products in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, the US, and others.

The industrial liquids segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, due to the rising exports of industrial chemicals and oil & gas across the globe. IBC liners are cost-effective and foldable, which helps in the logistic management of industrial liquids. These liners provide secure and leak-proof packaging solutions for industrial products, ensuring these products stay of high quality and uncontaminated.

Get Free Sample Report

Regional Analysis

In terms of region, the global intermediate bulk container liner market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Aisa Pacific is expected to dominate the market during the projection period, owing to the rising transportation, international trade, and shipment activities in emerging countries such as China, India, and Japan.

In China, the import and export of food & beverage products such as vegetable oils are increasing, which boosts the market. The regional market growth is further attributed to the increasing demand for bulk packaging in several industries such as food & beverages, industrial, automotive, and others.

The market in North America is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace in the coming years, due to the increasingly favorable government initiatives and policies in countries such as Canada and the US. Several companies are entering the cross-border and logistic trade, which creates opportunities for the market. The regional market growth is further attributed to the increasing exports and the involvement of several small-scale local IBC liner producers that help generate sales.

Get Free Sample Report