Thailand Pouch Packaging Market

Thailand Pouch Packaging Market Analysis

The Thailand Pouch Packaging Market size is worth USD 1.11 Billion in 2025, growing at an 6.07% CAGR and is forecast to hit USD 1.50 Billion by 2030.

Thailand's economic growth has fueled consistent growth in the production and consumption of packaging materials over the years. The Thai pouch packaging market is expanding and significantly bolstering the nation's economy.

• Over the last decade, the Thai pouch packaging market has witnessed steady growth, attributed to evolving substrate preferences, the emergence of new markets, and changing ownership structures. While developed nations emphasize sustainability and environmental issues, the market is witnessing a technological surge, particularly in paper and plastic packaging.
• The food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries have significantly influenced the demand dynamics of the market. The market is expected to continue showcasing its resilience over the forecast period, maintaining the demand for flexible packaging formats. According to the Office of Industrial Economics, Thailand, food exports in Q1/2023 were valued at USD 9,044.83 million, a growth of 11% compared to the same quarter last year.
• Pouch packaging is poised to outpace traditional forms. Stand-up, retort pouches are increasingly challenging the dominance of metal cans and glass jars, especially in the food sector. In response to consumer preferences, the market is pivoting toward more portable packaging, on-the-go consumption solutions, and user-friendly features like easy-open and re-sealable components.
• In Thailand, household sizes are on a downward trend. Data from the NSO survey revealed a decline from an average of 3.8 persons per household for over a decade. This shift was accompanied by a rise in households, driven by the increasing prevalence of nuclear families and single-person households.
• Factors such as the expanding middle-income demographic, rapid urbanization, and the proliferation of modern retail outlets are reshaping consumer lifestyles. Notably, modern trade has emerged as the primary purchasing avenue for consumers, particularly in urban centers. Highlighting this shift, USDA reported that modern retail commanded about 70% of Thailand's total food retail sales as consumers pivoted from traditional wet markets and grocery stores to the allure of hypermarkets and supermarkets.
• The Thai Packaging Association stated that Thailand's packaging and printing industries are shifting away from plastic and utilizing more bio-flexible products in line with the government's policy to ban plastic packaging in the future. This shift aligns with the global push to reduce plastic usage, addressing pressing environmental issues. The association highlighted that local producers predominantly rely on flexible packaging for various products, from foods and beverages to raw materials. This might encourage manufacturers to develop sustainable and recyclable pouches in the country.

Thailand Pouch Packaging Market Trends

E-commerce and Convenient Packaging are Expected to Boost Market Demand

• Thailand's economic growth has spurred the production and consumption of packaging products. This surge is primarily driven by the rising need for versatile packaging solutions catering to a diverse range of products across various industries. The retail sector's push for products with prolonged shelf life and consumer preference for convenience boosted flexible packaging sales.
• The demand for pouch packaging is rising, driven by a growing preference for convenience in consumer products like food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. In 2023, Thailand's urban population, accounting for nearly 53.61% of the total, demonstrated a strong inclination toward convenience, favoring high-quality brands and seeking out smaller shops and supermarkets near their workplaces or commutes for daily purchases. This could be attributed to changing lifestyles and the increasing demand for single-serve options.
• According to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), the e-commerce market value in Thailand in 2020 was THB 3.78 trillion, and it is expected to increase to THB 5.96 trillion. Thailand's e-commerce sector is significantly influencing the market's trajectory. Thailand witnessed a notable shift in consumer behavior, marked by a surge in food or other online shopping. This behavioral pivot directly impacted the market, driving the demand for efficient, cost-effective packaging solutions for e-commerce deliveries.
• Manufacturers are rolling out enhanced options to respond to the need for more user-friendly packaging. Noteworthy players like Thung Hua Sinn Co. Ltd are introducing features like tin-ties, pocket zippers, retorts, and spouts, empowering customers to personalize their pouches.
• With a rising preference for lightweight packaging, vendors are innovating to stay competitive in the evolving landscape of organized retail and processed foods. Transitioning to flexible pouches meets these demands and provides significant energy-saving advantages.

Stand-up Pouches are Expected to be Widely Used in the Country

• Flexible packaging options are as versatile as stand-up pouches. Used predominantly by the food and cosmetics industries, stand-up pouches are gradually making their way into other spheres as the preferred packaging solution.
• Stand-up pouches can hold all sorts of contents, from liquids and solid foods to completely non-food-related items. Spout stand-up bags, for instance, are easy to use, can be securely sealed, and are the perfect replacement for plastic bottles. The reduced weight of stand-up pouches makes them more economical to transport and warehouse, while their flexible shape allows retailers to display larger quantities in their stores efficiently.
• Companies operating in the country are focused on innovating new pouch packaging solutions. For instance, in March 2023, the Shokubutsu beauty care brand took all three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) to the next level with its new 100% recyclable stand-up pouch construction for its shower cream refill in Thailand. The mono-material pouch is made from polyethylene film, a type of film made from Tenter-Frame Biaxial Orientation. Lion Corp., a Japanese company in Thailand, uses this pouch for its Shokubutsu Monogatari brand.
• According to Industrial Economics (Thailand), in February 2024, the domestic sales volume of baked goods, including crackers/biscuits, in Thailand took the top position with 8.86 thousand metric tons, followed by bread products at 7.52 thousand metric tons. Snacks and cakes took the third and fourth positions. Domestic goods sales might push the need for stand-up pouches in the country.
• Manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability in packaging and exploring new eco-friendly methods and materials. A notable pet food recall shook the industry and prompted manufacturers to reevaluate their processes, emphasizing enhanced pet nutrition. This incident, in turn, catalyzed the growth of several premium pet food brands. Many shoppers prefer flexible, stand-up pouches over traditional, rigid packaging.

Thailand Pouch Packaging Industry Overview

The Thai pouch packaging market is fragmented. Some of the domestic and global players include SCG Packaging Public Company Limited, Kim Pai Co. Ltd, Thug Hua Sinn Group (TPN FlexPak), Thai Artec Co. Ltd, Amcor PLC, Huhtamaki Oyj, and Mondi PLC. Players operating in the region are focused on expanding their business through mergers, collaborations, acquisitions, product innovations, and more.

• October 2023: Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) teamed up with SCG Packaging PLC (SCGP) and SCG Chemicals PLC (SCGC) to pioneer eco-conscious food packaging. The collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which focused on advancing pulp and polymer-based packaging alongside SCGP and developing green polymer-based plastic solutions with SCGC. This might encourage the companies to launch eco-friendly pouches.

Thailand Pouch Packaging Market Leaders

Thailand Pouch Packaging Market News

• July 2024: SCGP announced its acquisition of a 90% stake in VEM (THAILAND) COMPANY LIMITED, known as VEM-TH, a prominent manufacturer specializing in high-performance polymer injection molding parts. This strategic move, valued at approximately USD 4.0 million (THB 146.2 million), bolstered SCGP's healthcare packaging and supplies business. The acquisition amplified production capabilities and broadened the product offerings of its subsidiaries, Deltalab SL and Bicappa Lab SrL, aligning with the increased market demand.
• May 2024: Dow and SCG Chemicals, or SCGC, inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Asia-Pacific. Their goal is to convert 200KTA of plastic waste into circular products by 2030. This marked a significant step in the region's sustainability efforts. The collaboration focuses on advancing technology in the plastic value chain, emphasizing mechanical recycling (MR) and advanced recycling (AR). By doing so, they aim to elevate a broader spectrum of plastic waste into high-value applications. Additionally, they plan to pioneer technology solutions in waste sorting, MR, and AR, primarily in Thailand.