TUBE PACKAGING MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Size and Trends

The tube packaging market is estimated to be valued at USD 11,342.64 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 18,261.52 Mn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2024 to 2031.

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The market is expected to witness steady growth over the forecast period. Increased spending on beauty and personal care around the world will support the need for effective packaging of cosmetic products such as creams, gels, and pastes. Furthermore, continued innovation in packaging materials, such as plastic and aluminum tubes, will provide opportunities for manufacturers to improve features such as usability, portability, and shelf life.

Growing sustainability and environmental concerns

With growing awareness about plastic waste and its adverse effects on the environment, there is a rising demand from consumers and manufacturers for more sustainable packaging solutions. Traditional plastic and metal tubes used for packaging cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical products end up in landfills where they take centuries to decompose. This is creating a negative impression about brands that use non-recyclable or non-biodegradable packaging. Tube packaging manufacturers are facing increasing pressure to make their products more eco-friendly. Tube materials like aluminum and plastic are now being replaced by more sustainable options such as paperboard. Paperboard tubes have the advantage of being lightweight as well as recyclable and biodegradable. They can be easily broken down by natural processes within a few months after disposal. This gives tube packaging a much smaller carbon footprint compared to plastic or metal alternatives. Brand owners are also promoting the sustainable attributes of paperboard tubes in their marketing campaigns to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. The shift towards eco-friendlier paper-based tube packaging is therefore expected to drive significant demand over the coming years. For instance, on May 5, 2023, Stora Enso, a provider of renewable products in packaging, alongside Blue Ocean Closures, a bio-based packaging company, and AISA (a tube packaging company) developed together the first paperboard tube with a fiber-based closure. This new, innovative wood fiber-based concept will help brand owners increase the share of renewable material in their packaging.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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With the marketing landscape becoming more competitive and dynamic, brands are focusing on enhancing the packaging design and visual appeal to make their products stand out on retail shelves. Standardized tube packaging may not always meet the customization needs of different products and brands. Manufacturers are now able to provide highly customized and tailored tube packaging solutions to their clients. Tube sizes, shapes, printing capabilities, closure types etc. can be designed as per the client's brand identity, target audience and specific application requirements. Tailor-made tubes allow innovating with packaging shape and adding brand messages, imagery or textures unique to the product. Custom designs help create a distinctive unboxing experience for the end user. Personalized tubes can also be integrated with specialized features like anti-microbial linings, controlled dispensing mechanisms or security seals according to the product formulation. Customization opens up opportunities for creative expression as well as effective communication of brand attributes through smart and immersive packaging. It is driving many companies to switch from generic commodity tubes to fully-custom fabricated solutions designed specifically for their needs and marketing goals. The ability to cater to evolving client needs through flexible customized tube manufacturing augurs well for future growth.

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The tube packaging market faces several challenges. Changes in consumer preferences towards more sustainable packaging presents a hurdle. Stricter environmental regulations around the world are forcing manufacturers to move to eco-friendly materials, requiring innovation and investment. Customers are also demanding customized solutions at lower costs. Retaining market share also remains difficult as new entrants are constantly exploring this growing industry.

 Market Opportunities: Growing applications across end-use industries

The demand for tube packaging is increasing across industries such as oral care, food, and beauty. Emerging markets are expected to drive significant demand due to rising incomes and spending on consumer goods. Developing economies offer a large potential customer base. There is also room for manufacturers to offer differentiated products with added features. 

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In terms of product type, squeeze tubes contribute 39.9% share of the market owing to their user-friendly design and flexible functionality. Squeeze tubes offer consumers a hassle-free dispensing experience without the need for additional tools or devices. The soft squeeze bottle format allows for precise, controlled application, and dosage. This makes squeeze tubes particularly suitable for personal care products like toothpastes, where over-application is discouraged. Their ergonomic shape also aids improved grip and maneuverability compared to rigid containers. From a production standpoint, squeeze tubes are economical to manufacture due to their simple design. They require less material to produce than twist tubes or pumps, keeping costs low. The flexible tube collapses as the product is depleted, helping eliminate wastage. Leading brands prefer squeeze tubes for sample-size products as they convey value while maintaining budget restraints. Overall, squeeze tubes have carved a niche through user experience optimizations that align well with tasks like oral hygiene routines.

Insights, By Material Type: Growth of Laminated Materials

In terms of material type, laminated contributes 35.6% share of the market owing to its barrier properties and sustainability profile. Laminated tubes combine paper or film layers with aluminum foil or plastic. This gives the material superior moisture, gas, and light resistance compared to its mono-material counterparts. The laminated construction helps extend product shelf-life without requiring artificial preservatives. It prevents oxidation, reactions, and degradation of contents susceptible to environmental factors. Many companies prioritize eco-friendly packaging in their portfolio. Laminated tubes satisfy this demand as the paper/film component offers renewable sourcing and improved recyclability over traditional plastic or aluminum. Manufacturers also gain from consistent material supply and flexibility in design afforded by lamination technology. The barrier performance eliminates performance trade-offs common to paper-alone solutions. Overall, laminated tubes achieve an optimal balance of protection and sustainability that resonates strongly with both brand owners and consumers. As a consequence of the strong focus on developing sustainable and recyclable solutions, in November 2020, Gulapack, a leader in the flexible laminate, caps & spouts, packaging for food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, home-care, or industrial sectors, launched a range of mono-material flexible packaging, which includes a new line of mono-material tube laminates. Designed for personal care, Innoweb Mono tubes are made of a single material of polypropylene so that they could be sorted, collected, and recycled in the PP stream.

Insights, By Application: Oral Care Benefits Drive Adoption

In terms of application, oral care contributes 41.1% share of the market owing to tube packaging's specialized benefits in this category. Products such as toothpastes, gels, and mouthwashes require robust containment solutions to preserve formulations and deliver targeted applications. Tubes here achieve an optimal seal against air and moisture—key concerns for such products with a long shelf life. Additionally, their cylindrical ergonomics with angled tip allows for easy dispensing directly onto a toothbrush or into the mouth during use. This focused application enhances dosage control and minimizes wastage of expensive active ingredients in each formulation.  Leading oral care brands favor tube packaging for its sterile, no-touch dispensing properties. This maintains hygienic standards especially for shared family tubes. Some solutions like gels also have a naturally runny consistency optimally suited to smooth, controllable dispensation from squeeze or extruded tubes. Overall, tubes better facilitate oral hygiene routines with precision, coverage where required, and hygienic portability compared to rigid containers. This drives their popularity in the high-volume oral care segment.

Regional Insights

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North America has established itself as the dominant market for tube packaging with 41.2% market share, underpinned by a strong industry presence and manufacturing capabilities within the region. Major markets like the U.S. and Canada boast a mature consumer goods sector that relies heavily on tubes for numerous end-use applications. Being the early adopters of tube packaging solutions, North American companies have built extensive in-house capabilities and significant supplier networks over the years that continue supporting regional market leadership.

Asia Pacific has emerged as the fastest growing regional market for tube packaging in recent times. Countries like India and China represent lucrative high-growth opportunities, aided by rising incomes, expanding consumer bases, and industrialization trends. Rapid infrastructure development and growing focus on healthcare and personal care segments have augmented tube packaging demand. Given the massive potential, Asia Pacific is increasingly attracting global tube manufacturers to set up local production facilities and establish supply chain linkages. This is enhancing availability while also reducing shipping costs - important for price-sensitive consumers in the region.

Market Report Scope

Key Developments

• In 2024, Pringles launches 'designed for recycling' paper-based tube packaging
• In April, 2022, Tubes Holdings, a provider of aluminum aerosol cans, aluminum tubes, aluminum cartridges and plastic tubes for the cosmetics industry, as well as for pharma, food and technology, acquired aluminum aerosol cans and aluminum tubes specialist, Matrametal. Through the acquisition with Metrametal, Tubex will have seven production sites globally with a capacity of 700 million aerosol cans and 1.6 billion aluminium tubes to meet the growing demand for tube packaging.
• In April, 2022, Amcor strengthened its pharmaceutical packaging portfolio with the addition of new sustainable high shield laminates. Amcor will launch the sustainable High Shield Pharma laminates options for pharmaceutical sachet, stickpack, and strippack packaging across Europe. They will address the increasing demand and sustainability requirements established by the European Union and regional governments.
• In November 2021, EPL Limited, an India-based multi-national company in the business of manufacturing laminated plastic tubes, announced a partnership with Vicco Labs. The partnership of Vicco Labs and EPL will work to convert Vicco’s Turmeric range of products to recyclable platina tubes. The platina tubes after use can be recycled in the dominant code 2 plastic stream used across the globe for recycling milk cans and juice bottles.

*Definition: The tube packaging market consists of companies that manufacture and sell packaging solutions in the form of tubes, usually made from plastic, metal, or laminated films. These tubes are primarily used for storing and transporting viscous products like lotions, gels, creams, ointments, glues, and pastes. The tubes protect the product from external contamination and ease dispensing of precise doses or amounts.

Market Segmentation

• Product type Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Squeeze Tubes
  • Twist Tubes
  • Extruded Tubes
  • Cartridges
  • Others
•  Material Type Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Aluminum
  • Plastic
  • Laminated
•  Application Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Oral Care
  • Beauty & Cosmetics
  • Food
  • Healthcare & Pharmaceutical
  • Others (Adhesives & Sealants, etc.)
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Albea S.A.
  • Amcor Limited
  • Essel Propack Limited
  • Sonoco Products Company
  • World Wide Packaging Inc.
  • Montebello Packaging Inc.
  • VisiPak, Inc.
  • Intrapac International Corporation
  • Hoffman Neopack AG
  • Huhtamaki Oyj,
  • CCL Packaging USA.
  • Berry Global Inc.
  • Clariant International Ltd.
  • CPP Global Holdings Ltd.
  • BRK Packwell Pvt.Ltd.
  • HCT Packaging Inc.
  • Viva Group Inc
  • CTL - TH Packaging Group SL
  • Romaco Group
  • Hoffman Neopac AG