Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market is Segmented By Carton Type(Brick Liquid Carton, Shaped Liquid Carton, Gable Top Carton), By Liquid Type(Milk, Juices, Energy Drinks, Other), By Shelf Life(Long Shelf-Life Carton, Short Shelf-Life Carton), By Application(Liquid Dairy Products, Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks, Liquid Food, Alcoholic Beverages, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Overview

The Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market USD 11.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to witness lucrative growth by reaching up to USD 15.9 billion by 2030. The market is growing at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period 2024-2031. Manufacturers generally prefer liquid packaging cartons due to their benefits such as convenience, maneuverability, recyclability, and eco-friendly attribute.

They are specially designed for carrying liquids such as milk & dairy products, packaged water, liquid food products, soft drinks, and juices. When compared to other standard packing types, the raw material is cheap. The production of liquid packaging cartons uses materials like paperboard, aluminum, and plastic. 

Manufacturers increasingly emphasize appealing packaging and visual presentation to boost sales and brand value, which is anticipated to give the liquid packaging market considerable growth. The liquid packaging carton market growth is attributed to factors such as an upsurge in demand for packaged food & beverages, convenience in carrying & transportation, innovation in packaging, and the recyclable nature of cartons. 

Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Scope

Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Dynamics

The Rising Preference of Consumers for Ready to Drink Products to Foster the Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Growth

Growing consumer preference for convenience food across developing regions is expected to drive the market. The growing preference for disposable income with a hectic lifestyle raises the demand for liquid packaging cartons. 

Growth in the packaging industry due to increasing investment and rising demand for eco-friendly and convenience packaging solutions is expected to augment the market growth of liquid packaging cartons. Rising demand for easy recyclable liquid packaging solutions coupled with the strict government policies regarding the emissions of harmful gases and greenhouse gases is further expected to accelerate the market growth of liquid packaging cartons over the forecast period.

Volatility in Raw Material Costs are Hindering the Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Growth

Raw materials used in liquid packaging cartons, such as paperboard and coatings, can experience price fluctuations due to factors like changes in global supply and demand, currency exchange rates, geopolitical events, and environmental regulations. These fluctuations can significantly impact production costs for manufacturers. 

Volatile raw material costs can put pressure on profit margins for liquid packaging carton manufacturers. When raw material prices rise, manufacturers may struggle to pass on the increased costs to customers due to price sensitivity and competition. This can impact profitability and hinder investment in research and development or expansion. 

Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Segment Analysis

The Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market is segmented based on carton type, liquid type, shelf life, application, and region.

Gable Top Carton Segment Held the Largest Market Share in the Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market

Milk cartons are also known as gable top cartons. A gable top carton is more suitable for the milk as it protects milk from contamination and increases its shelf life of milk. According to Statista, in 2022, India consumed the most cow milk worldwide, drinking about 85 million metric tons. The same report states that the next largest milk consumption was in the European Union, at 23.8 million metric tons. 

Gable-top cartons are lightweight, easy to transport, and cost-effective compared to bottles. They are eco-friendly and less costly to recycle. One of the prominent factors fueling the gable-top liquid cartons market is the fast-moving consumer preference towards packaged food & beverages. The gable-top liquid carton market is growing due to the cost-effectiveness of the gable-top liquid cartons when compared to the other rigid packaging solutions.

Source: DataM Intelligence Analysis (2023)

Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Geographical Penetration

Asia Pacific is Expected to Hold The Largest Market Share During The Forecast Period

The rising consumption of milk and juices in Asian countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, and many more, is expected to contribute to this market growth in the coming years. Developing countries such as China and India have the highest ratio of population growth with the rising working population. 

It directly impacts the consumption rate of liquid packaging products across the region, thus exhibiting the highest growth rate. In India, Amul sells 5% of its milk in liquid packaging cartons. Amul processed 26 million liters of milk daily to feed the growing population in India.

Source: DataM Intelligence Analysis (2023)

Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Companies

The major global players include the Liquid Packaging Cartons market are Tetra Pak, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., Mondi, Refresco Group, Pactiv Evergreen Inc., Ferd, Greatview Aseptic Packaging Company, Liqui-Box, Onex Corporation, and Reynolds.

COVID-19 Impact on Liquid Packaging Cartons Market

COVID Impact

The impact of COVID-19 reduced the demand for milk packaging cartons used for out-of-home consumption. For instance, SIG witnessed a decline in the cartons' sales as many of the school milk programs in Japan were suspended, which temporarily affected the company. The market witnessed observed stagnation until the lowdown period. 

The milk packaging in cartons was hampered as the liquid carton manufacturing facilities were halted across the country temporarily. Also, Tetra Pak India, which manufactures packaging materials, had to stop operations after the government called for the lockdown. 

According to Dairy Australia, the monthly volume production of milk was at its highest in October 2019, having a volume production of 982.5 million and decreased to 623.8 million in June 2020 primarily due to the impact of COVID-19. This was slightly offset to produce the paperboard cartons in the country.  

By Carton Type

• Brick Liquid Carton
• Shaped Liquid Carton
• Gable Top Carton

By Liquid Type

• Milk
• Juices
• Energy Drinks
• Other

By Shelf Life

• Long Shelf-Life Carton
• Short Shelf-Life Carton

By Application

• Liquid Dairy Products
• Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks
• Liquid Food
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • The UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In November 2022, Tetra Pak, a Swedish-Swiss multinational food packaging and processing company collaborated with Fresh Start. This leading food technology incubator works with a portfolio of start-ups to provide technological solutions to some of the challenges facing the global food systems. 
• In February 2023, See, a New York-based packaging company, completed the acquisition of Liquibox for a purchase price of $1.15 billion on a cash and debt-free basis. 
• In April 2023, Carton Pack, an Italy-based carton manufacturing company added Smilesys to their portfolio by acquiring the majority stakes of it.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market segmentation based on carton type, liquid type, shelf life, and application to understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development. 
• Excel data sheet with numerous liquid packaging cartons market-level data points all for segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as Excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The Global Liquid Packaging Cartons Market Report Would Provide Approximately 69 Tables, 68 Figures And 200 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

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