Canada Plastic Packaging Films Market

Canada Plastic Packaging Films Market Analysis

The Canada Plastic Packaging Films Market size is estimated at 0.89 million tonnes in 2025, and is expected to reach 1.12 million tonnes by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.71% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

• Frozen food requires robust packaging solutions to maintain product integrity during freezing and thawing cycles. The increase in the number of frozen food manufacturers directly correlates to higher demand for plastic packaging films.
• According to StatCan, as of June 2023, Ontario had the highest number of frozen food manufacturing establishments in Canada, with 81 producers, followed by Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, with 50, 33, and 25, respectively.
• Several factors, including increasing consumer awareness of environmental issues, evolving regulatory requirements, and ongoing sustainability efforts, drive packaging-waste recycling in Canada. The development of innovative recycling technologies drives the packaging-waste market. Flexible packaging waste, such as plastic packaging films, is reducing its environmental impact, and overall recycling rates are increasing because of innovations, such as improved sorting systems, chemical recovery, and efficient processing methods.
• For instance, in May 2023, several organizations aiming for circularity, including the Canada Plastics Pact, the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, Circular Materials, the Circular Plastics Taskforce, and several others, have formed a partnership to introduce PRFLEX, an effort to improve flexible plastic recycling across the country by collecting data on film recycling and uptick the overall collection rates.
• Eventually, in September 2023, the Canada Plastics Pact (CPP) unveiled the launch of a five-year action plan to bolster the circular economy of plastic packaging films nationwide. This new ‘flexible plastic packaging roadmap’ would include an unprecedented cross-value chain partnership between key industry partners across Canada. All associated industry partners must work closely together to speed up and scale solutions toward this shared vision of a circular economy in 2027.
• Recycling plastic packaging film could involve consumer behavior, collection and sorting systems, technological advancements, and market demand. Futhermore, plastic packaging films materials can be challenging to recycle since they are frequently contaminated with oil, food waste, or other pollutants. Recycling often costs more than creating new products from raw materials. Recycling companies must discover ways to reduce costs because gathering, sorting, and processing recycled materials might be expensive.
• Canada Plastic Pact Reports that flexible packaging and films make up 47% of all plastic packaging, yet less than 2% are recycled. Due to the complexity of flexible plastic packaging – made up of many different resins and different materials – there are currently challenges regarding recyclability and waste disposal.

Canada Plastic Packaging Films Market Trends

Polyethylene Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth

• LDPE is formed through the polymerization of polyethylene. During this process, monomers link together to create elongated hydrocarbon chains. These chains then branch out in various directions, with the branching pattern determining the material's strength and density. In essence, LDPE varies in terms of density, making it ideal for strength-focused applications, while LDPE proves more advantageous for applications requiring flexibility.
• Due to its lower percentage of crystallinity, LDPE has a lower density than HDPE. This gives LDPE a softer and more flexible quality while also slightly reducing its barrier capability. LDPE is widely used in packaging film applications due to its good chemical and oil resistance and low cost.
• Furthermore, LLDPE, a frequently employed packaging film in the industry, is characterized by its low density and the presence of comonomers that create branch-like structures on the main chain, reducing crystallinity. This results in a hazy appearance and a malleable texture. Compared to LDPE at the same density and thickness, LLDPE exhibits superior impact strength, tensile strength, puncture resistance, and elongation.
• E-commerce requires substantial packaging materials to ensure products are safely delivered to customers. As e-commerce sales grow, the demand for LLDPE packaging films also rises. These films are used for various purposes, including product wrapping, cushioning, and protecting goods during transit.
• According to StatCan, in April 2024, e-commerce sales amounted to approximately USD 2,962.72 million when compared it with April 2023 which was USD 2,696.57 million.

Food to Show Significant Growth

• The demand for pet food in Canada, driven by the large number of households owning pets, particularly dogs and cats, creates a substantial market for packaging solutions. As per Hepper, a company specializing in pet blogs, a statement from an article released in February 2024 suggests that over half of Canadian households (60%) have at least one dog or cat as pets.
• The pet food industry utilizes various packaging solutions for different product types, including dry food, wet food, and treats. Plastic films offer customizable barrier properties, moisture resistance, and durability, effectively addressing the specific packaging needs of each pet food category.
• Increasing export volumes of fish and seafood necessitate more packaging solutions to maintain product safety and quality during transportation, potentially boosting demand for plastic packaging films. As fish and seafood are highly perishable, proper packaging is crucial to prevent spoilage, maintain freshness, and extend shelf life.
• Plastic films offer benefits such as moisture resistance, oxygen barrier properties, and durability, making them suitable for preserving these delicate products during long-distance shipping.
• According to Statistics Canada, in August 2023, exports of fish, crustaceans, shellfish, and other fishery products from Canada amounted to approximately CAD 274 million (USD 197.9 million); when compared with August 2020, the exports amounted to CAD 260 million (USD 187.8 million).
• Higher retail sales of baked goods, there will be a greater volume of products requiring packaging. Various baked goods require specific packaging solutions to preserve their quality. Plastic packaging films provide adaptable options with customizable barrier properties, transparency, and sealability. These characteristics make plastic films suitable for a wide range of baked products, including bread, cakes, pastries, and cookies.
• According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Retail sales of baked goods amounted to approximately USD 6.8 billion in 2022 and are forecasted to reach USD 7.78 billion by 2026.

Canada Plastic Packaging Films Industry Overview

The plastic packaging film market in Canada is fragmented, with several players. The key players are constantly striving to make advancements. Some of the major players in the market include Amcor Group GmbH, Mondi Plc, FLAIR Flexible Packaging Corporation​, C-P Flexible Packaging, Inc., and ProAmpac LLC.

• April 2024: Amcor plans to expand its printing and converting capabilities in North America. Over the next 18 months, the company will implement advanced equipment across the region. Advanced equipment can improve the quality of packaging films, leading to better performance and attractiveness of products, which can boost demand in various sectors, including food and beverage.
• February 2024: Berry Global, a firm renowned for manufacturing cutting-edge, eco-conscious packaging solutions, has launched its latest venture: the "Circular Innovation and Training Center." Spanning 12,000 square feet, this facility is dedicated to fast-tracking the creation of pioneering products via advanced materials science and engineering. Beyond being a hub for collaborative training, it acts as a incubator for new stretch film initiatives, all with the goal of prolonging material lifecycles and reducing environmental impact.

Canada Plastic Packaging Films Market Leaders

Canada Plastic Packaging Films Market News

• January 2024: Revolution Sustainable Solutions, LLC (Revolution), a United States provider of ESG material solutions, has acquired PolyAg Recycling, LTD (PolyAg), a prominent Canadian mechanical recycler of agricultural films. This acquisition significantly enhances Revolution's recycling capacity and expands the company's circular solutions footprint.
• January 2024: The CPP, a cross-industry collaboration focused on promoting circular packaging solutions in Canada, has expanded its network by adding key industry leaders. New members include Restaurants Canada, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), and McDonald’s Canada. Restaurants Canada will collaborate with the CPP to minimize plastic waste and strengthen the foodservice sector's role in advancing a circular economy.