Collapsible Metal Tubes Market Size and Trends

The Global Collapsible Metal Tube Market size is was valued at US$ 10.20 Bn in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 16.82 Bn by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2023 to 2030.

The collapsible metal tubes market is segmented by material type, capacity, product type, application, end-user, and region. By material type, the aluminum segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2022. Aluminum tubes are preferred due to their low cost, recyclability, and durability.

Collapsible Metal Tubes Market Trends:

Shift towards Plastic-Free and Sustainable Materials: Consumers and brands have become more conscious about plastic waste and the recyclability of packaging. Hence, the tubes market is witnessing a rise in plastic-free, recyclable, and biodegradable material options for metal tubes. Manufacturers are developing mono-material plastic-free tubes using high density polyethylene HDPE or bio-plastics, which can be easily recycled. Companies are also using more recycled content in the tube body. For instance, Albea introduced EcoLeaf tube made of 75% recycled HDPE. Essel Propack launched ESOL plastic-free tubes using recyclable PP laminate. These sustainability trends are drastically reshaping product development priorities in the collapsible metal tubes market. Albéa Washington is specialized in manufacturing laminate & plastic tubes for cosmetics, personal care & pharmaceutical markets.
Increasing Adoption of Aluminum over Tin Metal: Collapsible metal tubes are predominantly made from aluminum and tinplate. However, in recent years, the market has been witnessing a noticeable shift from tinplate-based tubes towards aluminum tubes. Aluminum tubes are lighter, lower in cost, provide a better barrier, and are easier to recycle. Advances in aluminum tube manufacturing, such as emerging billet casting and DWI processes, have enhanced productivity and reduced costs. Aluminum also allows high-quality printing. Government restrictions on tin-based food packaging further propels the adoption of aluminum tubes. This material migration has impacted the raw material supply and product development strategies of metal tube manufacturers.
Rising Demand for Biodegradable Plastic Tubes: With the growing consumer preference for eco-friendly packaging, the collapsible metal tubes market is witnessing rising uptake of biodegradable plastic tubes. These tubes are made using renewable bioplastics such as Polylactic acid PLA, which have lower carbon footprint compared to conventional plastic. Biodegradable plastic tubes provide the sustainability advantages of metal and plastic tubes. Manufacturers are developing bio-based plastic tubes which can be recycled or composted along with food waste. Demand for such tubes is expected to increase from beauty, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food sectors aiming to reduce plastic waste footprint. For instance, data from the European Bioplastics organization, global production capacities of bioplastics grew from 1.6 Mn metric tons in 2018 to 2.1Mn metric tons in 2021.
Emergence of Digital Printing and Smart Packaging: Digital printing and smart packaging technologies are garnering interest in the collapsible metal tubes market. Digital printing provides opportunities for personalization, customization, and limited design changes. Brands in the beauty, pharmaceuticals, and specialty foods segments are showing an inclination toward digitally printed tubes. Smart collapsible tubes are also emerging, which enable monitoring product quality, safety, and tracking parameters through sensors and QR codes. Anti-counterfeiting through blockchain tagging and cloud database tracking provides value.