Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast Segmented By Food Packaging Technology Type (Controlled Packaging, Aseptic Packaging, and Others), By Food Packaging Equipment Type (Form-Fill-Seal, Case Packing, and Others), By Application (Convenience Foods, Dairy & Dairy Products, Poultry and Others), By Material (Metal, Plastics, and Others), and Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 51.89 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.78%
Fastest Growing Segment	Poultry
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 76.92 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market will grow from USD 51.89 Billion in 2025 to USD 76.92 Billion by 2031 at a 6.78% CAGR. Food packaging technology and equipment comprise the machinery, materials, and automated systems utilized to preserve, contain, and label food products for safe distribution and consumption. The market is primarily driven by the escalating global demand for processed and convenience foods, which necessitates high-speed, automated packaging solutions to maintain supply chain efficiency. Furthermore, stringent regulatory requirements regarding food safety and hygiene compel manufacturers to adopt advanced systems that ensure strict compliance while effectively extending product shelf life.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the high initial capital investment required for integrated automated lines, which can be prohibitive for small and medium-sized enterprises. This financial barrier is often compounded by fluctuating raw material costs that impact operational margins and deter machinery upgrades. According to 'VDMA', in '2024', global trade in food processing and packaging machinery increased to over 52 billion euros, reflecting the sector's resilience and scale despite these economic obstacles.

Key Market Drivers

Accelerated adoption of advanced automation and robotics in packaging lines is fundamentally reshaping the sector, driven by the critical need to mitigate labor shortages and enhance operational throughput. Manufacturers are increasingly integrating robotic systems to handle repetitive tasks such as picking, packing, and palletizing with greater speed and precision than manual labor. This technological shift not only optimizes production costs but also ensures consistent hygiene standards essential for food safety, as automated systems reduce human contact with consumable products. The scale of this industrial shift is evident in the deployment of robotic units; according to the International Federation of Robotics, September 2024, in the 'World Robotics 2024' report, the global operational stock of industrial robots reached a record 4,281,585 units in 2023, representing a 10% year-on-year increase fueled by automation demands.

Rising regulatory and consumer pressure for sustainable and biodegradable packaging further dictates market dynamics, compelling companies to innovate beyond traditional plastic usage. Governments worldwide are enforcing stricter waste reduction mandates, prompting a widespread transition toward recyclable materials and circular economy models. Consequently, equipment providers are re-engineering machinery to process thinner films and fiber-based alternatives without compromising seal integrity or speed. This strategic pivot is quantified by major industry players increasing their material circularity; according to Amcor, October 2024, in the '2024 Sustainability Report', the company significantly expanded its environmental commitment by purchasing over 224,000 metric tons of recycled material for its packaging solutions. Reflecting the broader economic momentum behind these technological upgrades, according to PMMI, November 2024, in the '2024 State of the Industry' report, U.S. packaging machinery shipments grew to reach $10.9 billion in 2023.

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Key Market Challenges

The high initial capital investment required for integrated automated lines constitutes a significant impediment to the growth of the Global Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market. Advanced machinery necessary for compliance and efficiency demands substantial upfront funding, creating a severe barrier for small and medium-sized enterprises. These businesses often lack the liquidity to absorb such costs, particularly when volatile raw material prices erode operational budgets. Consequently, many manufacturers are forced to defer essential machinery upgrades or capacity expansions.

This financial hesitation directly hampers market volume and technological adoption. When companies delay purchasing decisions due to cost constraints, the equipment sector experiences a contraction in new business activity. This trend is evident in recent industry metrics. According to 'VDMA', in '2024', incoming orders for the food processing and packaging machinery sector declined by 7% in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in the previous year. This decrease in order intake demonstrates how capital limitations effectively restrain the market's trajectory, preventing it from fully capitalizing on the underlying demand for processed food products.

Key Market Trends

Adoption of AI-driven predictive maintenance solutions is rapidly gaining traction as manufacturers seek to eliminate unplanned downtime and optimize overall equipment effectiveness. Unlike standard automation which focuses on physical task execution, these intelligent systems utilize machine learning algorithms to analyze real-time data from machinery, identifying potential component failures before they disrupt production. This shift from reactive repair to proactive asset management is crucial for maintaining continuous throughput in high-volume food processing environments where even minor stoppages can result in significant spoilage. The intensity of this technological integration is highlighted by widespread industry investment; according to Rockwell Automation, June 2025, in the '10th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report', 95% of manufacturers have invested in or plan to invest in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies over the next five years to drive operational resilience.

Simultaneously, the implementation of automated vision-based quality control is becoming indispensable for mitigating the financial and reputational risks associated with packaging errors. These advanced optical systems meticulously inspect product seals, codes, and labels at high speeds, ensuring that every package meets strict regulatory standards regarding allergen declarations and expiration dates. This technology serves as a critical firewall against costly product withdrawals that occur due to human oversight in manual inspection processes. The urgency for such precise validation tools is underscored by recent regulatory defect analysis; according to Loftware, January 2025, in an analysis of the 'FDA Enforcement Report Database', label errors were the leading cause of U.S. food recalls in 2024, accounting for approximately 45.5% of all recorded recall events.

Segmental Insights

The poultry segment is currently the fastest-growing category in the Global Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, driven by the rising global consumption of affordable protein. This demand necessitates packaging machinery that ensures hygiene and extends shelf life to prevent spoilage during transport. Additionally, stringent safety regulations enforced by authorities such as the USDA mandate rigorous protocols to mitigate contamination risks. Consequently, manufacturers are investing in automated systems to handle fresh and processed meat efficiently, ensuring compliance with strict sanitary standards while meeting the high volume requirements of international supply chains.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds the leading position in the global food packaging technology and equipment market due to rapid urbanization and expanding consumer bases in major economies like China and India. This demographic shift drives substantial demand for processed and convenience foods, necessitating high-volume production capabilities. The region also benefits from a robust manufacturing sector and sustained investment in industrial automation. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks established by institutions such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India enforce strict hygiene standards, compelling manufacturers to adopt compliant machinery to ensure product safety and quality.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, GEA Group launched the PowerPak 1000, a new thermoforming packaging machine tailored for start-ups and medium-sized enterprises in the food sector. Unveiled at the PPMA Show, this equipment was designed to package products such as meat, cheese, seafood, and fresh produce with enhanced efficiency and safety. The machine featured a capacity of up to eight cycles per minute and offered flexibility in pack sizes, allowing manufacturers to adapt quickly to changing consumer trends. This launch represented a strategic move to provide high-performance technology with reduced operating costs and plastic consumption to a broader range of food processors.
• In September 2024, Multivac unveiled its innovative Cooling@Packing system, a vacuum packaging application that integrated the cooling process directly into the thermoforming packaging machine. This breakthrough technology allowed bakery products like baguettes and breads to be packaged immediately after baking, utilizing the product's own moisture for cooling during the evacuation process. The system significantly reduced the time and space required for traditional cooling methods while extending the freshness and shelf life of the baked goods. This development was recognized for its ability to increase production capacity and lower energy costs for food manufacturers.
• In May 2024, Mondi collaborated with Scan Sverige to launch a sustainable packaging solution known as WalletPack for the Pärsons brand. This strategic partnership involved replacing unrecyclable multi-material plastic laminates with a recyclable, mono-material polypropylene solution designed for sliced ham, salami, and plant-based products. The new packaging technology offered high oxygen barrier properties to ensure extended shelf life while facilitating efficient sorting at recycling facilities like Site Zero. This initiative underscored the companies' commitment to circular economy principles by transitioning to materials that reduced environmental impact without compromising food protection or consumer convenience.
• In January 2024, Sidel introduced the EvoFILL PET, a new filler specifically designed for water and still beverages, to the global packaging equipment market. This advanced system was engineered to handle high production speeds of up to 90,000 bottles per hour while ensuring optimal hygiene and operational efficiency for manufacturers. The equipment featured a reduced enclosure size that created a controlled environment for contactless filling, alongside gentle neck handling to preserve the integrity of lightweight bottles. Furthermore, the updated cleaning-in-place system significantly improved sustainability by reducing energy consumption by 25% and cutting water and chemical usage by 12% compared to previous models.

Key Market Players

• Arpac LLC
• Bosch Packaging Technology
• Coesia Group
• GEA Group
• IMA Group
• Ishida
• Multivac, Inc.
• Nichrome India Ltd.
• Omori Machinery Co. Ltd
• Oystar Holding GmbH

By Food Packaging Technology Type	By Food Packaging Equipment Type	By Application	By Material	By Region
Controlled Packaging Aseptic Packaging and Others	Form-Fill-Seal Case Packing and Others	Convenience Foods Dairy & Dairy Products Poultry and Others	Metal Plastics and Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, By Food Packaging Technology Type:

• Controlled Packaging
• Aseptic Packaging
• and Others

• Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, By Food Packaging Equipment Type:

• Form-Fill-Seal
• Case Packing
• and Others

• Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, By Application:

• Convenience Foods
• Dairy & Dairy Products
• Poultry and Others

• Food Packaging Technology and Equipment Market, By Material:

• Metal
• Plastics
• and Others

• Food Packaging Technology and Equipment 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