Food Packaging Equipment Blades Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Applications (Form, Filling and Sealing, Tray Forming and Carton Sealing, Tamper Evident Sealing, Vacuum Packaging, Film Wrapping), By Product (Straight, Circular, Tray Blades, Pointed Tip, Other) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2023-2031

Market Overview

The global food packaging equipment blades market size was valued at USD 17.12 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 27.12 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% over the forecast period (2023–2031).

A food processor is a kitchen equipment that makes it quick and simple to carry out time-consuming food preparation tasks, including slicing, grinding, chopping, and others. The vital components of the apparatus that aid in converting raw ingredients into food items through chemical and physical processes are food processor blades. Many food processors include slicers, roasters, separators, homogenizers, grinders, fryers, ovens, feeders, chillers, mixers, and dryers.

Market Dynamics

Global food packaging equipment blades market drivers

Rising demand for packaged and convenience foods

The need for healthy and organic food products is anticipated to increase due to shifts in customer desire. An increased appetite for convenience food will likely encourage innovation in packaging techniques, thereby creating opportunities for packaging machine manufacturers over the coming years. In addition, cost pressures arising from increasing labor costs and operational challenges among equipment users are expected to accelerate automation in the packaging industry over the forecast period. Moreover, packaging industry players tend to operate at one or more stages of the manufacturing process; some may appear as primary packagers for a company, while others play a role at the end of the manufacturing process. This differentiation is based on the type of machine a packaging industry player manufactures.

Furthermore, people in emerging economies are shifting their food consumption habits. This is seen in Mexico, India, and China. Increasing disposable money in the middle class means more spending on items with higher value additions, such as meat, dairy, and chocolate. These products often require specialized machinery for serving, packaging, and processing. As a result, the demand for packaging machinery in the segments mentioned above is higher than in the convenience foods and health foods segments. Many leading manufacturers focus on providing health and wellness offerings and better-for-you product portfolios, which often require specialized packaging machines, creating opportunities for packaging manufacturers over the forecast period.

Global food packaging equipment blades market restraint

Complex manufacturing processes

Automation has increased manufacturing process complexity, fostering strong collaboration between creative thinking, useful designs, suitable materials, and cutting-edge technologies. The design and development of food packaging machines require numerous research initiatives and in-depth knowledge of complex technologies involved in manufacturing. A synergized relationship between design and technology is essential to ensure the optimum functioning of food packaging machines. Several manufacturing-related issues become apparent over time as the product is developed.

The production process will fall short of the company's expectations and objectives if the product design does not address basic functioning. Complex manufacturing processes, the need for trained staff, high operating and maintenance expenses, and other factors are predicted to drive up overall costs, limiting market growth over the projected period. Food packaging producers must adhere to all product development, design, and installation requirements. Due to various standards put out by regulating authorities, any flaws in the production process would result in the product being rejected. All such factors hamper the market growth.

Global food packaging equipment blades market opportunities

Growing demand for digital printing and personalized packaging

Digital printing allows companies a wider range of customization options than mechanical processes. Most packaging companies have switched to digital in the past decade, and many more are expected to make investments over the coming years. The emergence of digital technology has presented corrugated manufacturers with numerous chances to capitalize on, which is expected to drive demand for package printers over the projected period. In addition, personalization has become one of the crucial trends in the food packaging industry. Digital printing makes it simple to customize the package and add a personal touch to the products. This trend has been building for the last few years and is expected to have a major impact over the coming years.

Additionally, the demand for rental machines in the food packaging equipment industry is increasing due to the high return on investment, cost, and flexibility. Continuously changing consumer demands and increased stock-keeping units have augmented the demand for flexible packaging, especially in the food and beverage industry. Moreover, several food manufacturers seek more connected, integrated, and adaptable machines in the long run. The demand for sensors and alerts for data collection and standardized communications platforms in food packaging machines is rising. All such factors provide potential market opportunities.

Regional Analysis

Region-wise, the global food packaging equipment blades market is segmented into North America, Europe, Central and South America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Rest of the World.

Asia-pacific dominates the global market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global food packaging equipment blades market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 9.11% during the forecast period. Increasing population, per capita income, high spending capacities, and several government reforms to support the agriculture industry are the factors supporting the growth of the food industry in the region. Several multinational food processing companies have established production and processing facilities in Japan, China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, among other countries. This trend is backed by the wide availability of agricultural products, higher outputs, availability of skilled and cheap labor, favorable trade, and business policies by the governments and others in the region.

Moreover, domestic food processors in the Asia Pacific aim to grow business by increasing exports to foreign economies. This includes exports to Asian, European, and Middle East and African countries. Switching consumer trends toward preserving processed and canned food consumption in the region is expected to increase production by prominent players. A high preference for ready-to-eat meals and semi-cooked food by the working-class population is further likely to support the food packaging applications, thereby driving the demand for food packaging blades over the forecast period.

North America is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. The food industry in the North American region is majorly driven by the U.S. High demand for packaged and processed food coupled with a rise in the consumption of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat food items in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico is expected further to boost the overall food industry in the region. Moreover, favorable government norms, suitable infrastructure, and adoption of technologically advanced machinery in food processing activities are further anticipated to positively influence the food industry. In addition, increasing demand for packaged and processed food over the last five years has provided a wide scope for the food and beverage industry in the region, prominently in Canada and the U.S. This includes food items such as poultry, meat, and dairy, among others.

Furthermore, a rise in awareness regarding hygienic food consumption and high-nutrition food is likely to augment the need for food and drink products in the region; as per the reports by the United States Department of Agriculture, food retailing and food service operations generated revenue of over USD 1.77 trillion in 2019, of which 45.2% and 54.8% were generated by food-at-home and food-away facilities, respectively. Food takeaway services offered by the majority of the restaurants in the region are likely to increase the packaging demand and, thus, are expected to increase the growth of the food packaging blade market.

In Europe, changing consumer lifestyle trends majorly impact consumers' purchasing decisions. Due to their busy lifestyles, consumers actively seek more advanced, time-saving food solutions than traditional processed foods. These trends are encouraging the innovation and expansion of the food packaging market. In addition, growing awareness regarding health and rising expectations of consumers regarding the quality of food is posing new challenges to retailers and manufacturers. Changes in demographic and social trends directly influence the food packaging market. The shrinking size of households due to nuclear families, single-parent households, and the rising number of singletons greatly affect food packaging designs. As a result, the need for smaller packs is rising to cater to the demand from these consumers.

With the increased number of working women and uncertain working hours, the trend of ready-to-eat meals is being reinforced. These factors are expected to drive the demand for packaging blades over the forecast period. In addition, widely consumed packaged food products in the region include sweet and savory snacks, sauces, dressings, condiments, ready meals, pasta, noodles, meal replacement, frozen processed food, dried processed food, confectionery, dairy, chilled processed food, preserved food, and baby food. Development in the packaging of convenience food is among the factors driving the market's growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global food packaging equipment blades market is segmented based on application and product.

Based on application, the global food packaging equipment blades market is segmented into form, filling and sealing, tray forming and carton sealing, tamper-evident sealing, vacuum packaging, and film wrapping. 

The form, filling, and sealing segment dominates the global market and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. Form, filling, and sealing operations are widely used in packaging. These are majorly used for packaging confectionery items and food products, including dry and wet products. The mechanism uses flexible packaging film to form pouches or bag packets, wherein the attached machine forms the package, fills it with the product (dry or wet), and seals it from two or four sides. Specialized blades separate the pouches once the packet or pouch is sealed using a heating mechanism.

Depending upon the requirement, these blades form completely separate packets or a series of packs. A similar process is followed in sachet packaging. The rise in food and confectionery items that further need specialized packaging is anticipated to boost the demand for food packaging blades.

Based on product, the global food packaging equipment blades market is segmented into straight, circular, tray blades, pointed tips, and others. 

The straight segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.01% during the forecast period. The market of the form, fill, and seal packaging machine experienced a favorable impact due to the increasing demand for snacks. In 2019, bags and sachets emerged as the predominant container types, mostly attributable to their cost-effectiveness in handling fees, manufacturing expenses, and enhanced convenience. Features such as one-handed use, portability, ability to reclose, and easy opening continue to drive the demand for packaged foods, including entrees, snacks, and food service products. This trend is expected to create opportunities for food packaging equipment manufacturers and straight blades over the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• July 2023- The well-known manufacturer of machine knives and industrial blades, Baucor, announced the opening of a new production line specifically for the production of food processing and packing machine blades. This breakthrough demonstrates Baucor's commitment to producing high-quality machine knives and its continuous efforts to meet the growing demands of the food processing and packaging industries.