US Hot Fill Food Packaging

Hot Fill Food Packaging

Demand for hot fill food packaging is forecast to increase 1.2% per year to $2.6 billion in 2026. The food market is challenging for packaging suppliers due to the vast number of distinct applications where packaging must not only meet specific performance criteria including extended shelf lives, but also be cost effective and in line with changing sustainability goals and consumer preferences. Hot fill packaging must additionally compete with other shelf stable packaging, as well as packaging for frozen and fresh alternatives.

This report covers food packaging demand by Product, Material, and Application. Data are provided in current dollar value.

Products for shelf stable food packaging include:
Bottles & Jugs
Jars
Pouches
Cups & Tubs
Other packaging such as bag-in-box, cans, and bowls

Applications for shelf stable food packaging include:
Sauces & condiments
Processed fruits & vegetables
Juice
Dairy

Other foods, such as baby food, dairy foods, and syrups
Materials for food packaging include:
Plastic
Glass
Metal

Scope of the Report

This report covers the scope, size, and growth of the US market for hot fill food packaging for use in retail and foodservice, including key trends in material, product, and application segmentation. Historical data are provided for 2011, 2016, and 2021, with forecasts for 2026. Data are provided in current dollar and unit value. Also included is an analysis of the key industry players.

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Demand for hot fill packaging for food is forecast to increase 1.2% annually to $2.6 billion in 2026, sustained by the ongoing popularity of hot fill packaging for sauces and condiments. However, hot fill packaging will grow at a slow rate and will continue to lose share to aseptic packaging, which affords multiple benefits over hot fill processing, the most important of which is shorter heating times that minimize the impact of thermal processing of flavor, texture, and nutrition.

Hot Fill Packaging Demand for Sauces & Condiments to See Strongest Growth

Sauces and condiments – the largest application for hot fill packaging – is expected to experience relatively healthy gains through 2026 as foodservice revenues continue to rise following a sharp, pandemic-related decline in 2020. Bag-in-box and cups will grow at an above average rate due to their strong performance properties and convenience. Gains will further be supported by the increasing popularity of specialty and ethnic sauces at the retail level.

Plastic Continues to Offer the Best Opportunities Among Packaging Materials

Despite being the leading material used in the production of hot fill packaging, plastic will continue to take share from glass and metal packaging, due to its lower weight and lower cost. Plastic will also benefit from the development of more sustainable products with higher recycled content, as well as technological improvements that facilitate the hot filling process. Oriented polypropylene (OPP) will see particularly good growth due to its high heat capability, light weight, improved clarity, and growing cost competitiveness compared to traditionally used polyethylene terephthalate (PET).