Flexitank Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Flexitank Market is Segmented By Reusability (Single use, Reusable), By Loading Type (Top Loading, Bottom Loading, Others), By Application (Food grade liquids, Non-hazardous liquids, Pharmaceutical liquids, others), By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2030 

Flexitank Market Overview

The Global Flexitank Market report analyzes the global market size, shares, recent trends, competitive intelligence, and future market outlook. Flexitanks are large, collapsible containers used for the transportation of liquids, such as food-grade liquids, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The market is driven by the increasing demand for cost-effective and efficient bulk liquid transportation solutions, the growth of the logistics industry, and the rising international trade. In Asia Pacific, the Global Flexitank Market is witnessing significant growth. Key players in the market include Trans Ocean Bulk Logistics Ltd., Qingdao LAF Packaging Co., Ltd., Braid Logistics, and other prominent players.

A Flexitank is a hermetically sealed, collapsible, and flexible bag or bladder that fits inside a normal container or a twenty-foot Dry Van (DV). The industry's standard Flexitanks can contain up to 24,000 liters of liquid cargo. Flexitanks are containers that are used to carry non-hazardous liquids. The majority of flexitanks have a capacity ranging from 10,000 to 24,000 liters. Others are tailored to the shipment size – ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 liters.

Flexitanks were invented during World War II to transport diesel and petrol, which were later adopted by the U.S. military to store and transport water and diesel fuel in the early 1960s. Currently, flexitanks are employed to transport liquids across international borders due to their lower expense than ISO tanks.

Flexitank Market Scope and Summary

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Source: DataM Intelligence Analysis (2023)

Flexitank Market Dynamics and Trends

The growth in the food industry is expected to act as a major driver for the global flexitank market. Nonetheless, the fluctuations in raw material prices and complications associated with flexitanks during transit tend to restrict the market’s growth.

The rapid growth of the food industry and growing demand for transportation in the respective market

Due to their high efficiency and outstanding contamination protection, Flexitanks are employed to transport food-grade products such as malts, edible oils and fruit concentrates, beverages, and non-hazardous chemicals. When compared to common equivalents such as barrels and drums, these tanks provide added value due to the advantages of easy installation and low cost.

Further, flexitanks are disposable; thus, there are no additional cleaning costs similar to cases where tank containers and barrels are used. As a result, the danger of product contamination is reduced. Furthermore, flexitanks can transport approximately twenty times more liquid for the same cost as other alternatives. The bulk container packaging industry will grow due to the above-mentioned flexitanks features over the forecasted timeframe.

Flexitanks' contribution has expanded globally as the food industry's need has increased. A growing population has resulted in significant increases in food demand, which has had a favorable impact on the food and beverage industries worldwide. Due to its enormous potential for value addition, the food market has emerged as a high-growth and high-profit sector. As the exports in the food industry are rising rapidly, flexitank and its makers are in high demand in the export market. Therefore the rapid growth of the food industry and growing demand for transportation in the respective market could be considered major drivers for the respective market.

Fluctuations in raw material prices and complications associated with flexitanks during transit

Generally, flexitanks are manufactured utilizing plastic monomers. The most commonly used plastic resin for the manufacture of flexitanks includes polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ethylene, and polyethylene (PE) in various forms, such as HDPE, LDPE, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), among others.

Within the first quarter of 2021, plastic resins and materials prices reached historic highs. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) contracts have witnessed a US$ 0.285/lb gain in price since December 2020, ending at around US$ 1.05/lb.

 The price fluctuation of plastic resins varies depending on the expenses of manufacturers, processors, and recycling firms. Occasionally, the price rises in plastics are exacerbated by price increases in precursor chemicals or raw materials. The monomer ethylene, which has seen a price increase to $0.425/lb, is a good example to state the respective fact. Nonetheless, the growing fluctuations in the plastic resins employed to manufacture flexitanks could result in a price hike for flexitanks, thereby diminishing the demand for flexitanks in the market.

Similarly, flexitanks have problems such as contents spilling or breaking during transit, resulting in a total loss for the shipper. The respective reason could result in even more dangers if the product is used for hazardous liquid transportation. Since the respective factor could limit the use of flexitanks in export and import activities and could reduce its overall consumption in the market, the respective factors could be considered a major market restraint.

COVID-19 Impact on Flexitank Market Growth

Because of three important elements, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe influence on the global flexitank industry:

• The pandemic's earliest and most severe impact on the market has been on the supply chain, which has affected the availability of raw materials and final product sales.
• Second, the production of Flexitank necessitates several manufacturing and purification processes, which have been greatly impeded by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and government controls.
• The disruption in export and import activities of critical end-user industries such as food and beverages and oil production. The overall drop in end-user activities reduced market demand for Flexitank, affecting demand-supply dynamics.

Nonetheless, the market for Flexitank is likely to recover due to the growing global growth of the food & beverages market. The growing import and export activities in the respective market tend to boost the demand for the global flexitank market. Further, flexitanks are extensively used in the oil industry to transport base oils, lubricants, and transformer oils. As a result, the growth in the oil & gas industry could also boost the demand for flexitanks during the forecast period.

Flexitank Market Segment and Shares

The global flexitank market is classified based on reusability, loading type, application, and region.

The food-grade liquids dominate the application segment

The global flexitank market is segmented into food-grade liquids, non-hazardous liquid chemicals, pharmaceutical liquids, and others based on application.

Flexitanks' global contribution has expanded in tandem with the rise in food sector demand. Because of the enormous potential for value addition in the food and oil processing industries, the food market has emerged as a high-growth and high-profit sector. Flexitank and its producers, as a result, are in high demand in the export market, with demand in the food industries.

Due to high demand from end-use applications such as fruit juices, sauces, concentrates, edible oils, and bakery and confectionery goods, the foods grade liquid segment in the application segment dominated the respective market. Product demand in this category is expected to rise due to the rapid growth of retail chains and rising food requirements due to the rising population in emerging economies.

Source: DataM Intelligence Analysis (2023)

Flexitank Market Geographical Analysis

Asia-Pacific dominates the Flexitank market

The Asia-Pacific dominates the market due to populous countries such as China and India. Flexitanks are mostly consumed in China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India to export and import materials such as oil, food, and beverages. Further, countries such as China, Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand are among the top 15 wine exporters globally and flexitanks are extensively used in wine transit. The fact that such a large wine exporting sector exists in the region helps boost demand for flexitanks. In addition, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are the leading exporters of palm oil. Indonesia and Malaysia are the world's largest and second-largest exporters of palm oil, respectively. Food-grade liquids exports account for the majority of flexitank demand in Asia-Pacific.

Furthermore, due to cheaper production costs in India and China, some major corporations in Europe and North America have outsourced their activities to these nations. As a result, over the projected period, the potential growth of the food and oil industries is expected to boost demand for flexitanks in the Asia-Pacific region

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Source: DataM Intelligence Analysis (2023)

Flexitank Companies and Competitive Landscape

In terms of the number and strength of global and local producers, the global flexitank market is active and dynamic. Due to the large number of manufacturers of Braid Logistics, Bulk Liquid Solutions, Environmental Packaging Technologies, SIA Flexitanks, Trans Ocean Bulk Logistics, Full-Pak, KriCon Group BV, TRUST Flexitanks, Mak & Williams Flexitank Supply Ltd, K Tank Supply Ltd, the market is classified as fragmented. To achieve competitive advantages and recognition in their particular markets, significant market stakeholders use market techniques such as mergers, acquisitions, product launches, contributions, and collaborations.

NYNAS

Overview: Braid is a diversified global logistics firm based in the U.S., specializing in creative freight solutions and market logistics. The company employs Flexitanks in its design and built-in liquid bulk logistics and a specialized fleet of food-grade ISO Tanks, making it the market leader in both bulk modes. The company also offers forwarding, project shipping, and transport and warehousing services. The company employs approximately 100 employees and is based in Renfrew, Scotland.

Product Portfolio:

• Pulse flexitank: The product is suitable for products that leave "sludge" or sediment at the bottom and water at the top while in transit. The product comes with patented technology that allows mixing and agitation so that liquids reach the proper pumpable viscosity to be discharged. The tank has a specific size and shape so that any liquid with discrete particles can be efficiently evacuated in just one hour. The low position of the valve and the flexitank design ensures a simple discharge with minimal product residue.

Key Development

• On October 22, 2020, Hillebrand, a global player in forwarding, transportation, and logistics for the alcoholic beverage industry and products that require special handling, completed the acquisition of Braid, a major participant in bulk liquids logistics. Hillebrand's competence in handling non-hazardous liquids in bulk, such as wine, olive oil, non-hazardous chemicals, juices, and edible oils, is bolstered by this acquisition, which complements the company's long-standing experience in full-service logistics for cased goods.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global flexitank market segmentation based on reusability, loading type, application, and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities in the global flexitank market by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of flexitank market-level with four segments.
• PDF report consisting of cogently put together market analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.
• Product mapping available in Excel consists of key products of all the major market players

The global Flexitank market report would provide approximately 61 tables, 57 figures, and almost 180 pages.

Target Audience 2023

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies