Benelux Pouch Packaging Market

Benelux Pouch Packaging Market Analysis

The Benelux Pouch Packaging Market size is worth USD 2.34 Billion in 2025, growing at an 4.73% CAGR and is forecast to hit USD 2.94 Billion by 2030.

BENELUX includes Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The packaging industry in these countries is booming owing to increasing awareness and preference for pouch packaging and increased disposable income.

• The demand for pouch packaging across food, personal care, and cosmetics, among other industries, has meant that products have constantly improved and grown. This has led to increasing market competition in the region.
• The Dutch food sector is rapidly evolving. While convenience, primarily through delivery services, has long fueled its growth, a novel focus on convenience is emerging. While convenience is a fundamental aspect of the product, it also significantly influences purchasing decisions. For instance, the extended operating hours of supermarkets and the rise of delivery services underscore this trend.
• According to the CBI Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belgium is Europe's second-largest cocoa bean importer, following the Netherlands. 95% of these beans are sourced directly from their producing nations. Nearly two-thirds of the imported cocoa beans are re-exported to various European countries, highlighting Belgium's role as a gateway to broader European markets. This factor is expected to further help the confectionery market in the country, pushing the need for pouch packaging.
• A recent study in Luxembourg focusing on consumer habits highlights a growing preference for local food and drink items. Notably, fruits and vegetables are gaining popularity, edging traditional meat products. Commissioned by Luxembourg's Consumer Protection and Agriculture ministries, the Ilres Institute's study, unveiled in June 2023, highlights the strong appetite among Luxembourg residents for locally sourced goods. Such developments are expected to push the need for domestic products and enhance the market studied.
• The packaging industry in the region grapples with sustainability challenges and the broader push toward climate goals and energy transitions. Reducing the environmental footprint is a collective mandate, necessitating companies in this sector to align with evolving standards and expectations. Belgium is bolstering its recycling capacity and channeling investments into cutting-edge recycling technologies, strengthening its commitment to a circular economy.

Benelux Pouch Packaging Market Trends

Need for Smaller Portions and Convenient Packaging Pushing the Market

• Private consumption stands out as the primary sales driver, with Dutch individuals, on average, unwrapping seven packages daily, predominantly food and beverage-related. Notably, as households shrink and the demand for convenience rises, manufacturers are pivoting toward smaller packaging solutions such as pouches.
• The manufacturers in these countries continuously emphasize introducing new advancements in pouch packaging to maintain a strong market presence. In March 2024, Nestlé Purina launched a first-of-its-kind recyclable mono-material retort pouch for wet pet food. The innovation will be first introduced under the Felix brand in the Netherlands.
• The Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the Netherlands' packaging industry comprises approximately 330 companies. These firms are navigating through swiftly changing market dynamics. Sustainable packaging practices in manufacturing entail leveraging life cycle assessments to craft eco-friendly solutions.
• Luxembourg, ranking third in European organic product sales, presents a promising market for organic retailers. Notably, Luxembourg's higher standard of living, particularly in and around the capital, adds to the appeal. In February 2024, Bio-Planet, the organic specialist under Colruyt Group, unveiled its inaugural supermarket in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg situated in Gasperich, a southern suburb of Luxembourg City. Echoing its counterpart, Bio-Planet is optimistic about the market's prospects in Luxembourg.
• According to Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, the retail trade's sales turnover in the Netherlands in 2020 was 120.5 index value, and it reached 142.8 index value in 2023. Moreover, the Dutch retail market has undergone significant shifts due to the rapid expansion of e-commerce. While online platforms have seen a surge in grocery sales, traditional brick-and-mortar supermarkets remain the preferred choice for day-to-day shopping. Consequently, to date, the supermarket sector has weathered the online shopping wave, with the number of physical stores in the Netherlands even witnessing an increase.

Food Industry to Witness Growth Owing to Busy Lifestyles and Cost-effective Packaging

• The lightweight nature of pouch packaging, particularly compared to its traditional counterparts in glass and even rigid plastic containers, offers advantages in both costs and environmental footprint while shipping goods. Digitally printed pouches can improve a brand’s identity in any way the business wants. The company can utilize the whole surface of the pouch to display exciting graphics, logos, branding messages, or product details.
• According to the European Union, the Belgian economy is highly services-focused. Services account for 68.8% of GDP, employ the most workers, and are the leading providers of jobs. The packaging industries, such as pouch packaging, enhance business brand identity and strengthen visual marketing.
• Pouch packaging is considerably less expensive and lighter for transportation than rigid packaging. The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) indicates that developments in production processes and material innovation have decreased the weight of some flexible packaging by approximately 50%. Moreover, pouch packaging also permits space-saving opportunities, which means that substantial ratios of products could be shipped utilizing less fuel and energy.
• The growing need for consumer-friendly packaging and improved product protection has made meat, poultry, and seafood packaging a viable and affordable option. According to Eurostat, the revenue from processing and preserving meat in the Netherlands in 2020 was USD 4,916.92 million, and it was projected to reach USD 5,197.18 million in 2023.
• Pouch packaging sales are expected to increase in the assessment period owing to increased hygiene concerns and a high need for packaging that extends shelf life without changing the properties of meat and other poultry products.

Benelux Pouch Packaging Industry Overview

The Benelux pouch packaging market is fragmented with domestic and global players such as Optimum Group, Amcor PLC, Berlin Packaging Netherlands BV, Mondi PLC, and Sonoco Products Company, among others. Players operating in the region are focused on expanding their business through mergers, collaborations, acquisitions, product innovations, and more.

Benelux Pouch Packaging Market Leaders

Benelux Pouch Packaging Market News

• June 2024: Belgium's United Petfood entered the US market by acquiring an Indiana production plant from the Wellness Pet Company. United Petfood emphasized that this acquisition is a significant milestone, marking its inaugural manufacturing venture in the United States. Such expansions of Belgoum-based companies are expected to improve their market reach in other countries, encouraging the pouch packaging market for pet food.
• March 2024: Amcor PLC inaugurated its European Innovation Center in Belgium. The company opened its Amcor Innovation Center Europe (AICE) in Ghent, Belgium. This strategic move aims to collaborate closely with regional brands and retailers, emphasizing enhancing consumer experiences and championing environmental sustainability. The opening of the AICE is a significant step toward fostering a sustainable, circular, and innovative approach to packaging.