Antimicrobial Packaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Products (Plastics, Paperboard), By Antimicrobial Agents, By Technology, By Pack (Pouches, Cartons), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Report Overview

The global antimicrobial packaging market size was valued at USD 11.11 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% from 2024 to 2030. The key growth driving factors for this market are the growing prevalence of food-borne diseases, efforts by key companies to maximize the shelf life of the products, growing urbanization and changing lifestyles. Additionally, innovations in packaging systems for enhanced benefits are also contributing to the rising demand for this industry.

The rising change in consumer preferences and growing inclination towards choosing minimally processed, chemical-free and fresh food products has developed an upsurge in demand for antimicrobial packaging in recent years. Due to changed lifestyles in urban areas of developed economies, consumers have preferred ready-to-make products associated with their daily share of meals including minced meat, frozen chicken, whole fish fillets, pork plains and more. This has significantly driven the demand for the antimicrobial packaging market. 

Increasing demand for baked & confectionery products among consumers in developing regions is expected to aid the market growth for antimicrobial packaging in the next eight years. Moreover, these packaging elements prevent the penetration of undesirable substances such as water vapor and pressurized liquids, which in turn helps to enhance the food quality. The oxygen requirement is very much needed when the packaging is done for food. Mainly, oxygen helps in the prevention of spoilage and pathogenic organisms.

Moreover, the storage temperature also plays an important role in the antimicrobial packaging market. The storage temperature determines the growth of potential microbes. As a result, a properly designed antimicrobial packaging system helps in the elimination of food borne diseases along with medical illnesses under moderate storage temperature and distribution systems. 

Product Insights

The plastic-based antimicrobial packaging segment dominated the market and accounted for a share of 59.7% in 2023. This high percentage can be attributed to factors such as low cost, mechanical efficiencies and barrier properties. Additionally, the awareness regarding the use of bioplastics such as poly (butylene succinate), cellulose derivative, and starch is rising due to the compatibility of these materials with antimicrobial components. Some of the commonly used types of antimicrobial plastics are Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE/HDPE/ LDPE), and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The biopolymers-based antimicrobial packaging segment is expected to experience the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. It serves as a solution for rising environmental issues due to its planet-friendly nature. Additionally, it efficiently protects food products from moisture. Plastic antimicrobial packaging is lightweight and makes food transportation easy. Another factor includes the transparency provided by plastic enables consumers to examine food products before purchase. These factors are expected to generate greater growth for this market in the approaching years.

Antimicrobial Agents Insights

The bacteriocins segment dominated the market in 2023. The adoption of bacteriocins into packaging primarily prevents and controls the spoilage of food-pathogenic microorganisms. The diffusion of bacteriocins to the surface of food inside the packaging results in a loss of antimicrobial activity due to the inactivation of the bacteriocins. Innovation backed by research & development has been generating growth for this market. For instance, innovation associated with polymer nanotechnology and bacteriocins has been emerging as one of the latest strategies for sustainable packaging in the food industry.

The organic acids segment is projected to experience growth during the forecast period. It is mainly driven by aspects such as the capacity to decrease pH, the ability to inhibit the growth of undesired microorganisms, enhanced safety features offered by the organic nature, versatility, and acceptance by consumers. Some of the most commonly used organic acids in antimicrobial packaging are acetic acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, propionic acid, sorbic acid and others.

Pack Insights

Pouches accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023. The inclination towards the use of pouches as packaging products is attributed to the ability of pouches to absorb moisture & oxygen to prevent oxidation and microbial growth. Additionally, it inhibits the growth of microorganisms and helps to maintain the sterility of products. These pouches are cost-effective and easily available for packaging purposes, therefore these are widely used in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and so on.

The carton packages segment is anticipated to experience growth during the forecast period. These cartons are made out of paperboard and antimicrobial coatings. Some of the common ways to incorporate antimicrobial agents into these carton packages are the addition of sachets, coating, direct incorporation, and use of antimicrobial polymers. The growing adoption in industries such as meat & poultry and seafood packaging is expected to generate greater demand for this segment.

Technology Insights

The active technology segment held the largest revenue share in 2023. Growth of this segment is driven by the capacity to inhibit pathogenic microorganisms, and growing applications in industries such as poultry, meat, dairy, seafood, bakery, and fresh produce. Innovation backed by research & development has been contributing to the significant additions to the growth of this segment.

The controlled release technology segment is expected to experience significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to multiple aspects such as the ability to maintain optimal levels of antimicrobial agents ensuring longer shelf life, higher ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, and growing adoption owing to consistent results offered by the technology. With the help of innovation and R&D efforts by multiple companies and institutes, this technology segment is expected to experience higher growth in the approaching years.

Application Insights

The food & beverages segment dominated the market in 2023. The ability of antimicrobial packaging to deliver enhanced protection to fresh and other food products while improving the shelf of the product has attracted multiple brands and businesses to incorporate antimicrobial packaging technologies. The growing adoption by the brands, increasing inclination towards consumption of natural and organic products, and rising number of fresh produce delivered in packaged form are some of the key growth driving factors for this segment.

Global Antimicrobial Packaging Market Share, by Application, 2023 (%)

The health applications segment is projected to experience a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Growth of this segment is primarily driven by rising incidences of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), assistance by the antimicrobial packaging in meeting the strict regulations, increasing awareness regarding infection control, and technological advancements in the packaging industry are projected to drive growth for this segment.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific antimicrobial packaging market dominated the global industry in 2023. This is attributed to the changing lifestyle and rising adoption of technology in the food industry. The growth of healthcare and food & beverage businesses has also contributed to the growth of this industry. Additionally, rising consumers of cosmetic products are associated with market growth. The focus of researchers in developing innovative antimicrobial packaging solutions is contributing towards market expansion.

India Antimicrobial Packaging Market Trends

The antimicrobial packaging market in India is expected to experience a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growing dietary shifts towards the consumption of natural and organic products, increasing urbanization in the country, rising number of fresh produce delivered through retail stores, and increasing research & development associated with the technology have primarily driven this market in the recent past.

North America Antimicrobial Packaging Market Trends

North America antimicrobial packaging market was identified as a lucrative region in 2023. It is attributable to the fast-paced lifestyle and preference for fresh and chemical-free food products in this region. The progress in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry in this region is driving the market due to the rising demand for antimicrobial packaging of biomedical products.

U.S. Antimicrobial Packaging Market Trends

The U.S. antimicrobial packaging market held the largest revenue share of the regional industry and accounted for 85.8% in 2023. This market is mainly driven by factors such as innovation-backed product delivery by the industry, growing adoption in the food & beverages industry, increasing urbanization, many people preferring packed forms of meats and fresh produce, growing adoption in the healthcare industry and continuous research and development activities.

Europe Antimicrobial Packaging Market Trends

Europe antimicrobial packaging market is anticipated to witness significant growth in the coming years. This growth is attributed to significantly rising food-borne diseases, a growing number of global companies entering the regional market, increasing adoption by the food & beverages industry and innovations in technology. Rising awareness about sustainable antimicrobial packaging and changing lifestyles in this region are the key factors for market expansion.

The antimicrobial packaging market in the UK is projected to experience a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast period. This market is mainly driven by factors such as growth in the number of food businesses, rising adoption by the meat & poultry industry, ease of availability, innovation backed by enhanced R&D efforts, and an increasing number of packaging solutions providers.

Antimicrobial Packaging Companies & Market Share Insights

Some of the key companies in the antimicrobial packaging market include BASF SE, Mondi, Dow, Avient Corporation, DUNMORE, BioCote Limited and others. The growing competition has encouraged the key companies to adopt strategies such as innovation, collaborations, expansions, mergers & acquisitions, and enhanced research & development.

• BASF SE offers a broad range of antimicrobial solutions for equipment surfaces and medical devices. The company provides its offerings under brand HyGentic. Solutions by BASF SE are commonly used in packaging related to drapes, surgical masks, gowns, and kit wraps as well.

Antimicrobial Packaging Market Report Scope

Global Antimicrobial Packaging Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global antimicrobial packaging market report based on product, antimicrobial agents, pack, technology, application and region.

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, Volume in Kilo Tons, 2018 - 2030)

  • Plastics

  • Biopolymers

  • Paperboard

  • Others

• Antimicrobial Agents Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, Volume in Kilo Tons, 2018 - 2030)

  • Organic Acids

  • Bacteriocins

  • Others

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, Volume in Kilo Tons, 2018 - 2030)

  • Controlled release

  • Active

• Pack Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, Volume in Kilo Tons, 2018 - 2030)

  • Carton Packages

  • Pouches

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, Volume in Kilo Tons, 2018 - 2030)

  • Food & Beverage

  • Healthcare

  • Personal Care

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, Volume in Kilo Tons, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

    • Indonesia

    • Malaysia

    • Australia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa