AIRLESS PACKAGING MARKET ANALYSIS
The airless packaging market is estimated to be valued at USD 6.72 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 10.18 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2024 to 2031.
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The airless packaging market is expected to witness positive growth over the forecast period. The key factors driving the growth of this market include rising awareness about hygienic and contamination-free packaging solutions and increasing demand from the personal care and cosmetics industry. Airless packaging helps protect products from external contamination and prevents the leakage, spillage, and wastage of products. It keeps products fresh for a longer time without requiring preservatives and helps increase the product shelf life. Moreover, growing preference for compact and portable packaging solutions are also fueling the demand for airless packaging in various industries like healthcare and food & beverages.
Ease of use and portability
The airless packaging system provides great convenience to consumers as it eliminates the need to pump or squeeze the product container in order to dispense the content. With airless packaging, one simply needs to press the nozzle to release the desired amount of product in a clean and mess-free manner. This prevents accidental squeezing that could cause wastage of product. The package shape and size can also be customized as per the product attributes and desired volume, which makes handling and storage very convenient.
Furthermore, the lightweight and compact design of airless containers make them highly portable. Travel-sized airless bottles are a huge hit in the cosmetic industry as consumers prefer packing minimally while travelling. Airless packaging gives the freedom to carry one's daily skincare or makeup essentials discreetly without worrying about spills or leaks. Sports personalities appreciate the portability of airless squeeze tubes to carry nutrition supplements or pain relief balms while on the go. With their leak proof nature, airless containers can even survive the bounces and jerks experienced in carry-on luggage or backpack during transit. Their portability makes them a natural choice for on-the-go lifestyles adopted by millennials and generation Z consumers.
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Extended shelf life
Unlike conventional packaging types that rely on the entrapment of air inside the headspace to dispense products, airless systems do not provide entry to air and other external contaminants once the package is sealed. This property effectively helps preserve the quality and integrity of even the most sensitive formulations that are prone to degradation upon exposure to oxygen, moisture and microbes. Products containing natural extracts and active ingredients have better stability and extended shelf life when packaged in airless containers.
Furthermore, the pinch technology employed in airless dispensing prevents wastage by extracting every last drop of product from the package. Consumers appreciate getting full value for money without any leftover residue. Manufacturers also save significantly on production overheads by minimizing giveaways. This translates to freshness assurance for longer durations till the package is completely emptied. The barrier against external factors ensures brand loyalty gets strengthened as consumers continue receiving consistent performance from products well past their usual expiration dates.
Key Takeaways from Analyst:
The packaging eliminates the need for pumps and prevents contaminants from entering, making it suitable for skincare and healthcare products. Its ability to fully utilize content with no wastage is appealing to consumers and brands alike. Growing awareness about hygienic and sustainable packaging will drive further adoption.
Regionally, North America currently holds the largest share due to heavy investments by personal care giants domiciled in the U.S. and Canada. Their ongoing R&D focuses on designing airless packs for wider applications are helping expand the market. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is poised to witness the fastest growth. Escalating income levels and changing lifestyles in densely populated countries like India and China are leading to a surge in demand for premium personal care products, benefiting the airless segment.
As more mid-sized brands recognize the tangible benefits offered and start utilizing airless packaging for their premium lines, vendors are continuously coming up with innovative designs catering to customized requirements.
Market Challenges: High initial costs associated with airless packaging
The high initial costs associated with airless packaging equipment and machinery is one of the major factors restraining the growth of the airless packaging market. Setting up an airless packaging production line requires significant capital investment in specialized packaging equipment and supporting machinery. Airless packaging employs modern vacuum technology and sophisticated machinery to produce leak-proof sealed containers without any air inside. This specialized machinery can include high-speed tube filling machines, customized capping machines, advanced pumping systems, high-precision filters, and other ancillary equipment. Together, the capital expenditure required to acquire this vacuum packaging infrastructure can run into millions of dollars.
Market Opportunities: Product and geographical expansion
The airless packaging market has a great opportunity for product and geographical expansion in the coming years. Currently airless packaging is used majorly for skin care and cosmetic products due to its ability to prevent contamination and prolong the shelf life of the products. However, with continuous innovation and development of improved airless systems, these packaging solutions can be effectively utilized for other personal care and healthcare products as well. Various new formulations are being developed for conditions like hair fall, anti-dandruff, wound care, etc. that require specific delivery methods and prevention of contamination. Airless packaging ensures sterile and more accurate dosage of such products without any wastage. This enhances patient compliance especially for prescription medications. Many leading brands are researching the development of airless systems for ointments, gels and liquids used for muscle, joint pains, and other therapy solutions. The successful adoption of such customized airless packs will open newer opportunities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare segments.
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Insights by packaging type: Convenience Drives the Demand for Bottles & Jars
In terms of packaging type, bottles & jars is expected to contribute 55.6% share of the market in 2024, owing to their portability and ease of use. As consumers lead increasingly busy lifestyles with less time to spend on daily tasks like personal care routines, bottles and jars have become popular for their convenience. Their design allows for simple one-handed dispensing of liquid or cream products without needing to transfer contents between containers. This makes them ideal for on-the-go use, whether at home or traveling.
Many personal care items packaged in bottles and jars also promote the perception of a fresher product. Since the contents are not exposed to air, bottles and jars help shield cosmetics, haircare treatments, and more from potential contamination versus plastic tubs or open containers. The airtight seal appeals to consumers looking for hygienic, long-lasting formulations. Bottles and jars are also recyclable, adding to their sustainable appeal.
For brands, bottles and jars provide ample surface space to feature colorful labels, trademarks, and branding that grabs consumer attention on packed shelves. Their contours allow for creative shapes and designs that differentiate products from competitors. The accessibility of contents also increases potential per-use consumption versus larger tubs or pouches. Overall, bottles and jars satisfy demands for protective, portable, and pragmatic packaging across multiple categories within the airless personal care and home care industries.
Insights by material type: Plastics Dominates due to Cost-effectiveness and Versatility
In terms of material type, plastics is expected to contribute 48.6% share of the market in 2024, due to its cost advantages over its alternatives. Plastic is relatively inexpensive to produce on a large scale compared to glass, metal, or other materials. It requires less energy to manufacture and package many liquid or creamy formulas. The cost benefits are particularly appealing for mass consumer brands seeking affordable solutions.
Additionally, plastic is lightweight yet durable, making it a practical choice for packaging. It withstands dropping or minor impacts better than more fragile materials. Plastic bottles, jars, tubes and other containers are also corrosion-resistant without needing protective coatings. This enhances shelf life for products.
From a production standpoint, plastic is highly versatile. Molding capabilities allow complex package shapes that show off brands' creativity while maintaining functionality. Its permeability properties can be designed for specific formulation needs like moisture control. An array of plastic types expands options for visual effects, tactile texture, and closure or dispensing mechanisms.
As recycling capabilities evolve, plastic has grown less controversial from an eco-perspective versus past perceptions. Its predominance in the airless packaging space remains steady given balancing performance needs with accessible pricing across socioeconomic consumer classes.
Insights by end user: Personal Care Delivers Maximum Value from Airless Packaging
In terms of end user, personal care is expected to contribute 54.6% share of the market in 2024, as airless packaging exceptionally benefits cosmetic and skincare product formulations. For consumers, the airtight barrier of bottles, jars, tubes, and other containers protects active ingredients from degradation form exposure to air, light, and other environmental factors over time. This translates to longer-lasting products that maintain potency between uses.
From a branding and experience perspective, airless packaging promotes perceptions of premium quality for personal care brands. Its effectiveness at preventing leakage or spillage adds to the reassurance of hygienic formulas, while creative bottle shapes enhance the luxury element. Unique pump or flip-top dispensing mechanisms provide satisfying tactile interactions that reinforce a product's value.
Minimizing contact between formulation and exterior container surfaces safeguards against contamination of cosmetics meant for direct application. Properties like portability facilitate touch-ups and multi-step routines outside the home. All of these strengths create maximum advantage for personal care companies to showcase innovative science-backed formulations.
Airless packaging also optimizes product usage versus alternative formats. Consumers extract every last drop without excess exposure that could degrade more delicate skincare actives. This protects investments in high-performance, results-driven formulations. Overall, personal care leverages airless packaging advantages better than other industry verticals.
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The North America region currently dominates the global airless packaging market. The region is expected to account for 36.7% of the market share in 2024. The large cosmetics industry presence in countries like the U.S. and Canada is a key factor driving the demand for airless packaging in the region. Major cosmetics brands are based in North America and rely on airless packaging solutions to securely package their high-end skin care and beauty products. The zero-waste and eco-friendly nature of airless packaging further increases its preference among conscious consumers in the region. Stringent regulations regarding packaging resource efficiency and sustainability also boost the North American airless packaging industry. Regulatory bodies promote technologies and solutions that reduce packaging waste, and airless packaging addresses those needs effectively. Additionally, the region experiences solid export demand for airless packaged cosmetics from Asia Pacific and European markets. This export market relies on the wide production capacities and superior product quality established by major North America-based airless packaging manufacturers over the years.
The Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest-growing market for airless packaging globally. Countries like India, South Korea, China, and Indonesia are driving significant demand growth. A burgeoning domestic cosmetics industry centered around the rising disposable incomes of Asia Pacific's middle class spurs new opportunities. Additionally, changing lifestyle trends and increasing self-care priorities of Asian consumers push the need for innovative, high-quality packaging solutions such as airless packaging. Asia Pacific also has a competitive price advantage versus other regions regarding the production of airless packaging. The large presence of raw material suppliers and packaging converter industries in the region allows for favorable economies of scale. As a result, Asia Pacific-based airless packaging manufacturers can offer competitive rates to fast-growing domestic and global brand owners. Furthermore, laxer regulatory standards in some emerging Asia Pacific markets earlier facilitated quicker adoption of new packaging technologies like airless packaging compared to other regions.
Airless Packaging Market Report Coverage
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Year: | 2023 | Market Size in 2024: | US$ 6.72 Bn |
| Historical Data for: | 2019 To 2023 | Forecast Period: | 2024 To 2031 |
| Forecast Period 2024 to 2031 CAGR: | 6.1% | 2031 Value Projection: | US$ 10.18 Bn |
| Geographies covered: |
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| Segments covered: |
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| Companies covered: |
Cosmopack Industries, Aptar Group Inc., Albéa Beauty Holdings S.A., HCP Packaging, Quadpack Industries, Libo Cosmetics Company Ltd., Fusion Packaging, WestRock, ABC Packaging Ltd., Silgan Holdings Inc., Fusion PKG, Lumson S.p.A, Syscom Packaging Company, APG Packaging, O.Berk, Impacked Packaging, and TYH Container Enterprise Co., Ltd |
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| Restraints & Challenges: |
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*Definition: The airless packaging market consists of airless bottles, jars, and bags that are used primarily for beauty and personal care products like foundations, moisturizers, and serums. These innovative packaging types do not allow air or bacteria to enter the package after initial use, which helps extend the shelf life of products. They provide a more hygienic and portable way to dispense creams and liquids without needing an additional pump mechanism. Rising demand for long-lasting cosmetic products is fueling growth in the global airless packaging market.
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About Author
Pankaj Poddar
Pankaj Poddar is a Senior Consultant with over 12 years. He excels in providing impactful insights and strategic recommendations. His expertise includes market estimation, competitor analysis, and identifying emerging trends. Pankaj helps clients make informed decisions that drive growth and improve operational efficiency. Backed by a strong educational background in polymers industry & on-hand industry working experience, his key skills include delivering strategic solutions to clients within this space to improve the effectiveness in their offerings and/or expand into other lucrative markets.
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