Ethylene Absorber Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Anti-Ethylene Bag, Ethylene Filter, Ethylene Sachet, Ethylene Absorbent Sheet, Ethylene Absorbent Pad, Ethylene Environmental Control Systems, Other), By Chemical (Potassium Permanganate, Sodium Permanganate, Titanium Oxide, 1-Methylcyclopropene, Zeolite, Other), By Application (Controlled Environmental Systems, Ripening Rooms, Shipping/Transportation, Residential), By End-Use Industry (Fruits and Vegetables, Flowers, Crops and Seeds), By Region, Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.76 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.65%
Fastest Growing Segment	Controlled Environmental Systems
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 15.19 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Ethylene Absorber Market will grow from USD 9.76 Billion in 2025 to USD 15.19 Billion by 2031 at a 7.65% CAGR. Ethylene absorbers are specialized chemical formulations or devices designed to eliminate ethylene gas from storage environments, thereby delaying the ripening process and reducing spoilage of fresh produce. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the intensifying global focus on minimizing post-harvest food waste and the expansion of international supply chains which necessitates extended shelf life for perishable goods during long-distance logistics. These factors are further reinforced by increasing consumer demand for the year-round availability of high-quality and preservative-free agricultural commodities.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the high implementation cost of active packaging technologies for small-scale growers in price-sensitive developing regions. Despite this financial barrier, the aggregate volume of international produce trade mandates robust preservation methods to ensure commercial viability. According to the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables, in 2024, global exports of fresh fruits and vegetables reached 148 million tonnes. This data underscores the immense scale of logistical operations that rely on ethylene management systems to maintain product integrity from harvest to retail.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid growth of cold chain logistics and distribution networks acts as a primary catalyst for the ethylene absorber market. As supply chains extend to meet global demands, the integrity of temperature-controlled environments becomes critical for mitigating spoilage in transit. Ethylene management is increasingly integrated into these cold storage systems to prevent the accumulation of ripening gases within sealed refrigerated units, which can accelerate decay even at low temperatures. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, April 2025, the total temperature-controlled capacity operated by its members worldwide expanded to 8.16 billion cubic feet, marking a growth of over 10% compared to the previous year. This infrastructure expansion directly correlates with the rising deployment of filtration units and absorption sachets to safeguard high-value perishables during storage.

Simultaneously, the expansion of cross-border trade in fresh fruits and vegetables necessitates robust preservation strategies to handle prolonged transit times. Exporters are compelled to utilize advanced ethylene absorption technologies to maintain product quality from origin to retail shelves, particularly for climacteric crops that release significant ethylene. According to AgroNews, November 2025, China saw its fresh produce exports surge by 20% to reach 13.4 million tons in 2024, underscoring the massive logistical pressure to suppress ripening during international shipping. Furthermore, the economic stakes involved highlight the critical value of these preservation technologies; according to MP Logistics, February 2025, Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable export turnover hit a record 7.12 billion USD in 2024, demonstrating the strong financial incentive for traders to minimize rejection rates through effective ethylene control.

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Key Market Challenges

The high implementation cost of active packaging technologies constitutes a significant barrier to the expansion of the global ethylene absorber market, particularly for small-scale growers in developing regions. These producers typically operate on thin profit margins and lack the necessary capital to invest in advanced preservation solutions. Although ethylene management is critical for extending shelf life, the upfront expense of specialized scavenging sachets or films is often viewed as a prohibitive luxury rather than a standard operational requirement. Consequently, this financial constraint limits market penetration in agricultural hubs where post-harvest losses are most severe but purchasing power remains low.

This economic pressure is further intensified by the rising costs of general agricultural operations, which divert funds away from preservation investments. According to the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce, in 2024, the global fresh produce industry faced a 30% increase in the cost of machinery and essential input materials compared to the prior year. Such escalating expenses force price-sensitive growers to prioritize basic logistical necessities over product integrity solutions. This trend directly hampers the adoption of ethylene absorbers, preventing the market from reaching its full potential in emerging economies.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Ethylene Scavengers into Active Packaging Films represents a fundamental structural shift in the market, moving beyond standalone sachets to scavenging agents embedded directly within the polymer matrix of wrapping materials. This active packaging approach addresses safety concerns associated with loose sachets, such as accidental ingestion, while streamlining packing operations for high-volume produce exporters. By incorporating minerals like zeolites or halloysite nanotubes into the film layer, manufacturers can ensure uniform ethylene removal throughout the package headspace, significantly enhancing preservation efficiency for climacteric crops. The expanding scale of this application platform is evidenced by the robust growth of its primary vehicle; according to FlexPack Voice, February 2025, in the 'FPA Reflects on 2024' report, the U.S. flexible packaging industry was estimated to generate $42.9 billion in annual sales in 2023, providing a vast and growing infrastructure for these integrated scavenger technologies.

Simultaneously, the market is experiencing a Shift Toward Biodegradable and Compostable Scavenger Materials, driven by intensifying regulatory pressure and consumer demand for zero-waste packaging solutions. This trend forces a transition from conventional fossil-fuel-based plastics and chemically synthetic scavengers to organic formulations derived from cellulose, starch, or natural clays that decompose without leaving toxic residues. This pivot is not merely a niche preference but a dominant manufacturing priority reshaping the supply chain. According to The Packer, December 2025, in the 'Demand Helps Flexible Packaging Solidify Its Position' article, 56% of packaging converters listed compostable materials as a top sustainable packaging option, underscoring the critical industry-wide commitment to replacing non-recyclable preservation components with eco-friendly alternatives.

Segmental Insights

The Controlled Environmental Systems segment is currently experiencing the most rapid expansion within the Global Ethylene Absorber Market. This growth is primarily driven by the intensifying global demand for extended shelf life of perishable goods, particularly fresh produce and florals, during long-distance transport and storage. As the international trade of agricultural commodities increases, logistics providers and warehouse operators are adopting these integrated units to continuously regulate ethylene levels, thereby mitigating premature ripening and spoilage. Furthermore, stricter industry standards regarding food waste reduction and quality preservation are compelling supply chain stakeholders to invest in these effective atmospheric management solutions.

Regional Insights

Based on data from trusted market research, Asia Pacific leads the Global Ethylene Absorber Market, primarily driven by its substantial agricultural output and the critical need to mitigate post-harvest losses. As major producers of fresh produce, nations like China and India increasingly utilize these absorbers to extend shelf life for both domestic distribution and international export. The market is further propelled by rapid investments in cold chain infrastructure and a robust packaging sector integrating preservation solutions. Consequently, the intensifying focus on food security and maintaining product quality throughout complex supply chains cements Asia Pacific’s status as the principal regional market.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, It's Fresh! received the Innovation Award at the Festival of Fresh for its second-generation ethylene-moderating technology, Rypen. The award recognized the effectiveness of the company's new case liners and filters, which were reported to absorb significantly more ethylene than previous iterations. This breakthrough in ethylene absorption technology was designed to help the fresh produce industry further reduce waste and extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables during distribution and retail display.
• In May 2025, AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. entered into a strategic partnership with Biotalys, an agricultural technology company focused on protein-based biocontrols. The collaboration aimed to develop and commercialize new biological solutions to reduce food waste and improve the quality of fresh produce. By combining AgroFresh's extensive post-harvest expertise and global market reach with Biotalys' innovative platform for biological pathogen control, the companies sought to create sustainable preservation tools that address key challenges in the global food supply chain.
• In September 2024, AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. launched Harvista Mix, a new formulation of its near-harvest ethylene management technology, for growers in the United States. This product was designed to offer greater flexibility and convenience by allowing application using regular sprayers without the need for specialized injection equipment. The technology helps control ethylene responses in crops like apples, pears, and blueberries, enabling growers to optimize harvest quality and extend the window for picking, thereby enhancing the marketability of the produce.
• In May 2024, Hazel Technologies expanded its operations into the Canadian market as part of its strategic growth plan for 2024-2025. The company, known for its USDA-funded agricultural technologies that extend the shelf life of fresh produce, aimed to bring its flagship ethylene-inhibiting sachets and other post-harvest solutions to Canadian growers and packers. This expansion focused on crops such as apples, pears, cherries, and stone fruit, providing local producers with tools to reduce food waste and maintain quality during storage and transit.

Key Market Players

• AgroFresh Inc.
• Bee Chems
• Bioconservacion, S.A.
• BioXTEND Inc.
• DeltaTrak
• Dongguan Dingxing Industry Co., Ltd
• Ethylene Control Inc.
• GreenKeeper Iberia
• Hazel Technologies, Inc.
• Isolcell S.p.A.

By Product	By Chemical	By Application	By End-Use Industry	By Region
Anti-Ethylene Bag Ethylene Filter Ethylene Sachet Ethylene Absorbent Sheet Ethylene Absorbent Pad Ethylene Environmental Control Systems Other	Potassium Permanganate Sodium Permanganate Titanium Oxide 1-Methylcyclopropene Zeolite Other	Controlled Environmental Systems Ripening Rooms Shipping/Transportation Residential	Fruits and Vegetables Flowers Crops and Seeds	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Ethylene Absorber Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Ethylene Absorber Market, By Product:

• Anti-Ethylene Bag
• Ethylene Filter
• Ethylene Sachet
• Ethylene Absorbent Sheet
• Ethylene Absorbent Pad
• Ethylene Environmental Control Systems
• Other

• Ethylene Absorber Market, By Chemical:

• Potassium Permanganate
• Sodium Permanganate
• Titanium Oxide
• 1-Methylcyclopropene
• Zeolite
• Other

• Ethylene Absorber Market, By Application:

• Controlled Environmental Systems
• Ripening Rooms
• Shipping/Transportation
• Residential

• Ethylene Absorber Market, By End-Use Industry:

• Fruits and Vegetables
• Flowers
• Crops and Seeds

• Ethylene Absorber Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE