Sachet Packaging Market Analysis: Economic Growth and Sustainable Development Challenges

Executive Summary

The global sachet packaging market is projected to experience robust growth, expanding from an estimated USD 9.8 billion in 2025 to USD 16.9 billion by 2035, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. This expansion is driven by consumer demand for convenience and affordability, particularly in emerging economies. However, the market’s trajectory is increasingly shaped by the imperative to align with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), presenting both significant challenges and opportunities for innovation in responsible production and consumption.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The sachet packaging market’s growth and evolution are intrinsically linked to several key SDGs:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The low cost and single-serve format of sachets enhance the accessibility of essential food, hygiene products, seeds, and fertilizers for lower-income populations, contributing to poverty reduction and food security.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Sachets provide hygienic, measured doses for pharmaceuticals and personal care items, supporting improved health outcomes.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The market’s consistent growth fosters economic expansion and creates employment across manufacturing, logistics, and retail sectors.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The sector’s adoption of smart technologies and advanced materials demonstrates a commitment to industrial innovation and more efficient infrastructure.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): This goal represents the market’s central challenge. While portion control can reduce food waste, the prevalence of single-use plastics requires a fundamental shift towards circular economy principles, driven by material innovation and robust recycling infrastructure.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): The environmental impact of plastic waste from sachets poses a direct threat to marine and terrestrial ecosystems, making the transition to sustainable materials a critical priority.

Key Market Drivers and Innovations

Drivers

1. Economic Accessibility: The affordability of sachets makes them ideal for consumers in developing regions and for promotional trial packs, aligning with principles of inclusive market access.
2. Consumer Convenience: Increasing urbanization and demand for on-the-go products favor the compact, portion-controlled nature of sachet packaging.
3. Logistical Efficiency: The lightweight and compact form of sachets reduces transportation and storage costs for manufacturers, contributing to more efficient supply chains.

Innovations in Sustainability and Technology

• Sustainable Materials: In response to environmental pressures and regulations like the German VerpackG Packaging Act, manufacturers are developing recyclable and biodegradable materials. This innovation is crucial for advancing SDG 12 and mitigating impacts on SDG 14 and SDG 15.
• Smart Packaging: Leading firms like Amcor plc and ProAmpac are integrating AI, IoT, and QR codes. This supports SDG 9 by enhancing production efficiency, ensuring packaging integrity, and enabling traceability for consumers, which fosters transparency under SDG 12.

Market Segmentation Analysis

Material Dominance and Sustainability Implications

Plastic is projected to remain the dominant material, commanding a 73.40% market share by 2035. Its durability and barrier properties are highly valued, but its prevalence presents a significant obstacle to achieving SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The reliance on single-use plastic intensifies the need for industry-wide investment in recycling infrastructure and circular material flows.

End-Use Sector Leadership

The food and beverages sector is forecast to lead the market, capturing a 46.7% share by 2035. In this context, sachet packaging contributes positively to a key target of SDG 12 by enabling precise portion control, which helps to reduce food waste.

Regional Growth and SDG Context

• India: Forecasted to lead growth with a 5.7% CAGR, driven by the agricultural sector’s demand for small-dose packaging for seeds and fertilizers. This directly supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by facilitating access for small-scale farmers.
• China: A projected 5.0% CAGR is fueled by urbanization and convenience trends, reflecting progress toward SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Spain: Expected to grow at a 3.3% CAGR, the market is influenced by strong consumer demand and stringent EU regulations that push for sustainable packaging solutions in line with SDG 12.

Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook

The market faces competition from alternative formats like multi-chambered and resealable bags, which are often perceived as more sustainable. Tier 1 companies are actively innovating to address these environmental concerns and maintain a competitive edge.

Strategic Developments

• In June 2023, Amcor Plc expanded its AmFiberTM range to include paper-based, heat-sealable sachets, a significant step towards sustainable material substitution in alignment with SDG 12.
• In December 2024, ProAmpac LLC received recognition for its ProActive Recyclable® RP-1000 Paper Series, highlighting the industry’s progress in developing packaging designed for a circular economy, a core tenet of SDG 12.

The future of the sachet packaging market depends on its ability to reconcile the demand for convenience and affordability with the urgent need for sustainable practices. Continued innovation in materials and a commitment to circular economy principles will be essential for long-term, responsible growth.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Sachet Packaging Market Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on the sachet packaging market addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on industry, innovation, and the environmental impact of packaging.

   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This goal is central to the article. It highlights the growth of the sachet packaging industry, driven by technological advancements. The text mentions how “leading manufacturers are integrating technologies like AI, machine learning, and IoT into their operations” and points to specific innovations by companies like Amcor and ProAmpac in developing new materials and smart packaging solutions. This directly relates to building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This is another key SDG discussed. The article explicitly addresses the environmental challenges of sachet packaging, particularly its reliance on plastic. It notes that “Environmental concerns are pushing manufacturers to innovate with recyclable and biodegradable materials” to comply with regulations like the “German VerpackG Packaging Act,” which “enforces recycling targets and extended producer responsibility.” The development of sustainable alternatives, such as ProAmpac’s “ProActive Recyclable® RP-1000 Paper Series” and Amcor’s “AmFiberTM paper packaging,” are direct efforts to establish more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article connects to this goal through the application of sachet packaging in the food and agriculture sectors. It states that the “food & beverages sector is set to lead the market” because sachets “ensure freshness and provide a convenient, portable experience.” By extending the shelf life of food products and providing portion-controlled servings, sachets can help reduce food waste. Furthermore, the article notes that in India, growth is “driven by the agricultural sector’s demand for small-dose fertilizers and seeds packaging,” which relates to improving agricultural productivity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 9.4 (Upgrade infrastructure and industries for sustainability): The article’s emphasis on the industry’s shift towards sustainability aligns with this target. The text mentions that “Environmental concerns are pushing manufacturers to innovate with recyclable and biodegradable materials.” This reflects an effort to retrofit the packaging industry to make it more sustainable and resource-efficient.
   • Target 9.5 (Enhance scientific research and upgrade technology): This target is directly supported by the article’s description of market innovations. The mention of “integrating technologies like AI, machine learning, and IoT into their operations” and the development of “smart solutions to improve efficiency” and “intelligent labeling for traceability” are clear examples of upgrading technological capabilities within the industry.
   • Target 12.3 (Halve per capita global food waste): The article implies a connection to this target by highlighting how sachet packaging is used in the food sector. The ability of sachets to “extend shelf life” and provide “hygienic, measured doses of products” are mechanisms that can contribute to reducing food spoilage and waste at the consumer level.
   • Target 12.5 (Substantially reduce waste generation): This target is explicitly addressed. The article discusses the challenge of plastic waste from sachets and the industry’s response. The development of “recyclable and biodegradable materials” and specific product lines like “Amcor Plc expanded its AmFiberTM paper packaging range to include heat-seal sachets” are direct actions aimed at reducing waste generation through recycling and material substitution.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article contains several implied and explicit indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

   • Indicator for Target 9.4 & 9.5 (Innovation and Sustainable Industry): Progress can be measured by tracking the adoption of new technologies and materials. The article provides qualitative indicators, such as the number of companies “integrating technologies like AI, machine learning, and IoT” and the launch of new sustainable product lines like “ProAmpac LLC’s ProActive Recyclable® RP-1000 Paper Series” and “Amcor’s AmFiberTM paper packaging.” The recognition of such products in awards, like the “PAC Global Awards,” also serves as an indicator of progress in innovation.
   • Indicator for Target 12.5 (Waste Reduction): Progress can be measured through market share data and regulatory compliance.
     • The article projects that plastic will hold a “73.40% market share by 2035.” A decrease in this percentage over time, coupled with an increase in the market share of “recyclable and biodegradable materials,” would be a key indicator of progress.
     • The existence and enforcement of regulations like the “German VerpackG Packaging Act,” which sets specific “recycling targets,” serves as a policy-based indicator for managing and reducing waste.
   • Indicator for Target 12.3 (Food Waste Reduction): The market share of sachet packaging within the food and beverage industry, which is projected to capture a “46.7% market share by 2035,” can be used as a proxy indicator. An analysis of how much of this packaging is used for perishable goods could help estimate its contribution to extending shelf life and reducing waste.

SDG Analysis Summary Table

Source: openpr.com