Share of the global packaging market 2017, by packaging type

In 2017, 39 percent of the packaging market’s value was generated from flexible packaging. Rigid plastic packaging held the second largest share of the global packaging market, with 28 percent. In 2016, the flexible packaging industry was valued at a total of 30.2 billion U.S. dollars in the United States alone.

The Packaging Industry

Packaging relates to the enclosing or protecting of products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of designing, evaluating, and producing packages. The packaging industry can be described as a system of preparing goods for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use. Popular packaging materials include plastic, glass, cardboard, and aluminum. However, in the United States specifically, consumers have become increasingly aware of environment and global warming. As a result, companies have begun taking steps in adopting environment-friendly solutions, including the use of recyclable packaging such as paper bags and biodegradable containers.