As of August 2021

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 $33.6 billion in sales in the United States in 2019.

Market Size

Flexible Packaging is the second largest packaging segment in the U.S., garnering about 19% of the $177 billion U.S. packaging market.

Export Percentage

Exports account for nearly 5.3% percent of domestic production.

Employment Impact

The U.S. flexible packaging industry directly employs close to 79,000 people.

Manufacturing Diversity

Flexible packaging converters range from small manufacturing companies operating a single facility to large integrated corporations with up to 52 individual plant locations.

Largest Market Segment

The largest market for flexible packaging is food (retail and institutional), accounting for about 52% of shipments.

Other Markets

Other markets for flexible packaging include pet food – 4%; personal care – 6%; tobacco – 1%; other non-food – 6%; industrial applications – 4%; consumer products – 8%; and medical and pharmaceutical – 9%.