The packaging coatings market is being shaped by two powerful forces: rising global demand for convenient, longer shelf-life packaged foods, and mounting regulatory and consumer pressure to adopt more sustainable materials. Coatings will play a key role as the industry moves towards greater circularity.
Smithers’ new industry report, The Future of Packaging Coatings to 2031, available to order now, gives you everything you need to navigate a rapidly shifting landscape. This study is essential reading for coatings manufacturers, packaging converters, material scientists, sustainability leads, and strategy teams who need accurate, forward-looking data to make confident commercial decisions.
Key findings from the report show:
- Stricter environmental regulations and rising consumer awareness are driving a structural shift away from solvent-based systems. Meeting the performance benchmark of these established technologies remains a critical challenge for water-based and radiation-curable alternatives.
- Water-based coatings held a 25.6% volume share in 2025 and – alongside vacuum deposition technologies – are forecast to grow fastest through 2031.
- Accounting for 33.4% of volume demand in 2025, extrusion coatings dominate, but face new challenges as bio-based substrates introduce adhesion complications that demand next-generation primer developments.
- Fresh food packaging is the number one demand driver. Consumers across the world are switching to pre-packaged meats, fish, and produce; the coatings that extend shelf life are central to meeting this demand.
