Saudi Arabia Plastic Packaging Films Market

Saudi Arabia Plastic Packaging Films Market Analysis

The Saudi Arabia Plastic Packaging Films Market size is estimated at 1.06 million tonnes in 2025, and is expected to reach 1.25 million tonnes by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.27% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

• Saudi Arabia's dominance in polymer production within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region is a significant factor that will positively impact the country's plastic packaging film market. According to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association, Saudi Arabia is the dominant polymer producer in the region, commanding a substantial 68% share of the region's total output.
• As the leading polymer producer, Saudi Arabia has direct access to raw materials required for manufacturing plastic packaging films. This reduces import dependency, ensuring a stable and cost-effective supply of polymers.
• The government of Saudi Arabia is investing in sustainable solutions for collecting, sorting, and recycling plastic waste to implement eco-friendly solutions across the plastic value chain. For instance, in December 2023, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC). The focus on recycling and sustainable practices can drive innovation in the development of recycled plastic films.
• The changing consumer preferences and the growing number of women purchasing personal care products in GCC countries have boosted the demand for personal care in the Saudi Arabian market.
• According to a report by Chalhoub Group, a UAE-based luxury goods distributor and retailer, women in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are engaged users of makeup and fragrances. The growing use of makeup in Saudi Arabia to create a simple look, especially for the eyes, has resulted in growing sales of personal care products in the region.
• Personal care products often have specific requirements for preservation and protection from external factors like moisture, air, and light. Plastic packaging films provide excellent barrier properties, ensuring product integrity and shelf life. This functional benefit will contribute to the growing demand for these films.
• The governments in Saudi Arabia are increasingly focusing on mitigating plastic waste, eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic packaging film items through innovations, and redesigning and adopting a reuse delivery model. The confluence of the above facts has resulted in a paradigm shift of plastic packaging film manufacturing brands towards eco-friendly packaging and attention to sourcing materials, including biodegradable plastic and paper packaging.

Saudi Arabia Plastic Packaging Films Market Trends

Polyethylene Films to Show a Significant Growth

• Saudi Arabia's dominance in LDPE manufacturing opens up export opportunities for plastic packaging films. With high-quality, locally produced LDPE, Saudi manufacturers can cater to the growing demand for packaging films in other GCC countries and beyond, boosting the overall market growth.
• According to data from the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is essential for food and non-food packaging. In GCC, Saudi Arabia is the largest manufacturer of LDPE polymer. The material primarily accounts for 54.9% of the total plastic film used in non-food packaging.
• Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter. The country has diversified its tourism, logistics, finance, healthcare, and retail economy, backed by growing investments in technological advancements. Packaging companies have growth opportunities in the Saudi Arabian market due to the rising popularity of sustainable packaging solutions in multiple end-user industries, which has gained traction in the country.
• For instance, in April 2024, SABIC, Saudi Arabia's chemical player, launched its circular packaging initiative, marking a significant stride toward a circular plastic economy in the nation. In collaboration with FONTE, a player in the bakery industry, Napco National introduced bread bags made with certified circular polyethylene (PE). The bags are made by Napco National, using food-contact certified circular polyethylene resin grades from SABIC’s portfolio.
• According to the General Authority for Statistics (Saudi Arabia), by 2025, the number of aggregate food outlets in Saudi Arabia is expected to reach around 90 thousand, up from around 84 thousand in 2023. An increase in food outlets often correlates with a rise in takeaway and delivery services. Polyethylene packaging films are essential for maintaining the freshness and quality of food during transportation, leading to an increased need for such materials.

Healthcare Sector is Anticipated to Witness Significant Growth

• High healthcare spending emphasizes the need for sterile, safe, and reliable packaging for medical and pharmaceutical products. This can drive innovation and growth in the plastic packaging film market as manufacturers develop advanced materials that meet stringent safety and regulatory standards. The International Trade Administration reports that Saudi Arabia comprises 60% of the healthcare expenditures among GCC nations.
• Significant healthcare expenditures can increase research and development (R&D) investments in medical packaging technologies. This can result in the development of new types of plastic films with improved properties, such as enhanced barrier performance, antimicrobial features, and better recyclability.
• Historically, Saudi Arabia heavily relied on imported pharmaceuticals to meet its healthcare demands. However, the nation is now actively pursuing self-sufficiency, aiming to reduce imports by incentivizing local research and development investments for pharmaceutical and therapeutic products.
• According to the World Health Organization, Saudi Arabia's healthcare expenditures totaled USD 49.1 billion in 2020. The report estimates Saudi Arabia's healthcare expenditures in 2027 to be USD 77.1 billion. As healthcare spending rises, so does the demand for medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare products. This is expected to drive the demand for more plastic packaging films used in medical and pharmaceutical packaging, ensuring the safety, sterility, and integrity of these products.

Saudi Arabia Plastic Packaging Films Industry Overview

The Saudi Arabian plastic film packaging market is fragmented due to the establishment of numerous plastic film manufacturers. Players in this market often adopt key strategies such as product launches, collaboration, and partnerships to enhance their market presence and ensure sustainability. These strategies allow them to expand their operational capabilities, access new markets, and strengthen their competitive edge.

• June 2024: The Napco National and Naqaa partnership launched a sustainable alliance for environmental safety. From July 2020 to May 2024, Napco National successfully recycled 2,970 kg (2.97 tons) of mixed recyclable materials. This initiative, spearheaded by three office locations, saw the Jeddah office lead with 2,775 kg, followed by Riyadh at 95 kg and Dammam at 100 kg.
• Furthermore, the collection and recycling of significant quantities of mixed recyclable materials provide a valuable source of recycled plastics that can be used to produce plastic packaging films. This reduces the reliance on virgin raw materials and supports a circular economy.
• April 2024: SABIC, Napco, and FONTE collaborated to announce Saudi Arabia's launch of bread packaging manufactured entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic. FONTE's innovative bread bags feature a composition utilizing 100% mass-balanced certified content sourced from a blend of post-consumer plastics.

Saudi Arabia Plastic Packaging Films Market Leaders

Saudi Arabia Plastic Packaging Films Market News

• May 2024: Napco National bolstered its Packaging division through the acquisition of Alsharq Plas LLC. This move underscores Napco National's commitment to delivering high-quality solutions tailored to its customers' changing demands.
• November 2023: Roehm Chemical announced plans to create POLYVANTIS, a manufacturer specializing in films and sheets. This new entity will result from a merger between Roehm Chemical's Acrylic Products division and SABIC's functional profiles unit based in Saudi Arabia.