- The packaging coatings market is being shaped by two powerful forces: rising global demand for convenient, longer shelf-life packaged foods, and mounting regulatory and consumer pressure to adopt more sustainable materials.
- Coatings will play a key role as the industry moves towards greater circularity. Solvent-based technologies are in long-term decline, with water-based and radiation-curable coatings gaining ground, while extrusion coatings currently hold the largest volume share.
- Asia Pacific, led by China and India, represents the strongest growth opportunity as urbanisation drives a shift towards western-style packaged goods.
Packaging coatings play a critical role in enhancing the performance, functionality, and sustainability of packaging across various formats including flexible packaging, paper & board, printed labels, and folding cartons. As brands and manufacturers seek to improve product shelf life, visual appeal, and recyclability, coatings provide essential properties such as barrier protection, heat resistance, gloss, and print adhesion. Key to growth is understanding the general performance criteria required for most of the market, which requires in-depth insight on the selection factors of customers (beyond cost and barrier performance). This enables suppliers to identify the bigger growth opportunities.
The Future of Packaging Coatings to 2031 is the definitive market study on global flexible packaging adhesives and coatings.
This multi-client study contains over 100 tables and figures and 340 slides of granular data and expert insight, with market data presented in tonnage, value, and square metres, segmented by:
- Packaging type
- Polymer type
- Coating technology
- Coating type
- End-use application
- Geography
The full package includes both a PDF report and an Excel spreadsheet of market data, giving you the flexibility to explore and apply the findings in the way that works best for your team.
Key questions answered within this report:
- What are the required barrier properties for each key packaging type, and how do these requirements vary across different applications?
- Beyond cost and coating performance, what critical factors influence converters when selecting a coating or considering switching to a different supplier?
- How are sustainability targets, regulatory requirements, and evolving end-user expectations shaping the coatings market, and what technological advancements are expected in coating solutions through 2030?
Scope of the report
This multi-client study draws on extensive primary research – including in-depth interviews conducted across the value chain – to deliver a uniquely comprehensive view of the packaging coatings market. As part of the primary research engagement, we surveyed over 60 suppliers / users of packaging coatings.
Meet the experts
This report was researched and authored by a team of industry experts and consulting analysts with deep expertise in the coatings industry. With years of hands-on experience advising businesses across the coatings value chain, our expert team bring a sharp analytical perspective and an in-depth understanding of market dynamics, emerging technologies, and industry trends.
Table of Contents
Coating Types
- Varnishes (anti-scuff, matt, gloss, etc.)
- Lacquers (anti-slip, anti-fog, anti-block, etc.)
- Primers (ink adhesion and adhesive promoters)
- Dispersion coating
- PET, other acrylic polymers
- EVOH/PVOH
- PVdC
- Others
- Rubber latex (cold seal)
- Hot melt wax
- Metallised films (aluminium, etc.)
- Silica
- Alumina
- Extrusion coating
- PE
- Ionomers
- Ethyl acrylic acetate
End-use markets
- Food
- Fruit and vegetables
- Meat, fish & poultry
- Frozen food
- Chilled food
- Ready meals
- Dried food
- Savoury snacks
- Confectionery
- Baked goods
- Cheese/dairy
- Hot beverages
- Other food
- Beverages (cold)
- Pet food
- Healthcare
- Cosmetics (personal care)
- Tobacco
- Other consumer products
Market data
- Historic (2019-2024)
- Forecast (2025-2030)
- Volume (million m2 ) and Value (US $million)
Regions/ countries
- Western Europe
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
- UK
- Other Western Europe
- Central & Eastern Europe
- Poland
- Russia
- Other Central & Eastern Europe
- Middle East & Africa
- Turkey
- Other Middle East & Africa
- North America
- South & Central America
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- Other Asia Pacific
Packaging Types and Products
- Flexible packaging
- Paper & board
- Printed labels
- Folding cartons
- Jars & Bottles,
- Lidding film Cups (Dairy, Condiment, bakery)
- Lidding film for Trays
- Pouches
- Paper Cups
Coating Functionality
- Heat seal chemistry (water, solvent based and extrudable)
- Polyester (PET) and copolyesters (COPES)
- Acrylics
- Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA),
- Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA), Ethylene Methacrylic Acid (EMA) and other Ethylene-Acrylic based
- Modified Vinyl Polymers,
- PP and functionalized PP
- PVDC
- Hot Melt Adhesives
- Reseal (WBPSA, SB PSA, HMPSA) films technologies
- Cold seal (synthetic and natural rubber based) for Food confectionary and Medical (wrapping band aid)
- Surface modifications:
- Primer (printing or as pre-coat)
- Gloss and matt coatings
- Over-printing varnishes
- Release coatings
- Barrier coatings
- Antifog for refrigerated food packaging applications
Coating Chemistries
- Solvent-based
- Solvent-free
- Water-based
- Radiation-cured
- Hot melt