The global in-mold labels (IML) market is projected to grow from USD 1.13 billion in 2025 to USD 1.49 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 2.8%. In 2024, total revenue reached USD 1.11 billion, and a 2.6% year-on-year growth is expected in 2025. IML is becoming more popular because it prints graphics directly during molding.
This removes the need for separate labels, helping reduce waste and speed up production. As more people want recyclable, high-quality packaging-especially in food and personal care-companies are choosing IML for both its look and performance, without using extra adhesives.
Aesthetic appeal and sustainability can now go hand in hand in packaging. IML gives better protection from moisture, scratches, and fading, while offering a clean "no-label look" that many brands prefer. Recently, more companies are using mono-material polypropylene IMLs, which are easier to recycle since they avoid using mixed materials.
These are now being used in rigid packaging that meets Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules. In this context, Nico van de Walle, Product and Circular Economy Manager at MCC Verstraete, noted: “With in-mold labels, there's no trade-off between recyclability and shelf appeal.” This reflects a wider industry shift toward combining regulation with attractive design.
IML is also growing fast due to its fit with automated production. High-speed molding machines used in dairy, beverage, and household product lines work best with labels that stay clear, aligned, and firmly attached under heat. New features include RFID and QR code IMLs, which help with tracking, fake-proofing, and inventory.
Lighter label films are also being used to save money while keeping quality. Robotic label systems are replacing manual work, helping boost output and reduce mistakes. These upgrades are making IML a top choice for both mass-market consumer goods and industrial products.
Regionally, Asia Pacific is becoming a strong growth area thanks to rising manufacturing in China, India, and Southeast Asia. Europe is leading in recycling regulations, driving up demand for recyclable IMLs.
North America continues to dominate industrial and durable goods packaging, helped by advanced molding systems. Meanwhile, Latin America is adopting IML to support new rules aimed at reducing waste. As regulations get stricter and automation spreads, in-mold labels are set to stay a strong, innovation-led part of global packaging through 2035.
In-mold Labels Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2024 | USD 1.11 billion |
| Estimated Size, 2025 | USD 1.13 billion |
| Projected Size, 2035 | USD 1.49 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 2.8% |
The below table presents the expected CAGR for the global in-mold labels market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2025 to 2035. In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2024 to 2034, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 2.5%, followed by a higher growth rate of 3.1% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 2.5% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 3.1% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 | 2.0% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 | 3.6% (2025 to 2035) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2035, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 2.0% in the first half and increase to 3.6% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 50 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed an increase of 50 BPS.
By 2035, polypropylene is expected to hold 80.9% of the in-mold label market. It is widely chosen for being strong, light, and affordable. It resists damage from water, chemicals, and scratches. These traits make it ideal for labels on yogurt tubs, juice bottles, and cleaning products.
Companies like Berry Global, SABIC, and Repsol supply polypropylene for packaging. Label makers such as Verstraete IML use it because it performs well in fast production. It also meets eco-rules, as it is recyclable. Its light weight helps lower shipping costs. That’s why companies like ALPLA and Mondi Group prefer it. It also shapes easily and is used in other products like ropes, carpets, and furniture. Polypropylene works well with injection molding, making it ideal for fast, large-scale production.
Injection molding is projected to hold 70.8% of the market by 2035. This method places the label directly into the container during molding. The result is a smooth, long-lasting label that won’t peel off. It’s commonly used for ice cream tubs, shampoo bottles, and medicine jars. Companies like Greiner Packaging, Constantia Flexibles, and Toppan use this method for strong and appealing packaging.
Major brands like Nestlé, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble choose this process to keep their products looking fresh. The method allows many units to be made quickly with consistent quality. Machines from ENGEL and Arburg help make this possible. Labels made this way stay intact in wet or cold conditions. This method also supports single-material packaging, which helps brands meet green laws more easily. That’s why many companies continue investing in this method.
Integrated Labeling Revolutionizing Packaging with Durability, Efficiency, and Visual Appeal
In-mold labeling involves an actual implantation with a container during manufacture in injection or blow molding processes. This relatively novel technique positions the label during manufacture so it will adhere to the molded surface as one unit without adding other steps; indeed, they would require other intermediate steps before an adhesive-based bonding process like all other kinds of traditional labels.
This causes the label to be integral with packaging, hence more strength and resistance to peeling, scratching, or fading. This makes IMLs suitable for exposure to moisture, friction, or varied temperatures: the case with food containers and bottles for beverages. The integration also allows for superior quality detailed graphics, making the brand appeal more attractive. Labelling and molding are usually carried out together as a single process which gives the manufacturers short production cycles with minimal waste.
Sustainable Mono-Material Packaging Driving Growth of Polypropylene In-Mold Labels
Focus on sustainability and waste reduction has been the key driver for pushing toward mono-material packaging, which means all parts of a package are made of the same material so that it can be recycled easily. The growth of polypropylene-based in-mold labels (IMLs) has also been largely influenced by this fact since polypropylene is known to be recyclable and compatible with existing recycling systems.
IMLs from PP are used most in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields, where luxury package design needs to balance attractiveness with environmental concern. They do not leave adhesive residue on PP packaging and cannot be made in multi-material combinations that confuse recyclers. Then the single-material package can be recycled into a range of goods.
For another thing, PP comes with good mechanical strength, great chemical resistance as well as an excellent barrier against various substances thus implying that it might be better in those products having longer shelf-lives or external protection from another factor. An increase in growth requirement for the recyclable containers PP entails new market directions towards greener packaging solutions.
Challenges in Multi-Layer IMLs Balancing Protection and Structural Integrity
Multi-layer IMLs are widely used for pharmaceutical blister packs because it may provide a better barrier, such as protection against moisture, oxygen, and light. Normally, such labels are multi-layer constructions and contain special materials like aluminum foils or polymer barriers that protect such sensitive medicines. However, the complexities under extreme temperature variations are highly complex with their structure.
Storage and transportation of this product through various temperature fluctuations leads to uneven expansion and contraction in layers of the label. Delamination results when these layers start to break away from one another, causing loss of integrity to both structural structure as well as to protection the inner contents can achieve. This exposed interior content might have contaminated from outside elements or a decrease in the medicine's shelf life.
This will raise the production cost and limit the wide application of multi-layer IMLs in some applications because of the utilization of advanced material engineering and testing protocols.
The global in-mold labels industry recorded a CAGR of 2.4% during the historical period between 2020 and 2024. The growth of the in-mold labels industry was positive as it reached a value of USD 1,107.3 million in 2024 from USD 1,007.1 million in 2020.
The in-mold labels market in the global scenario has been witnessing steady growth, with increased demands for durable and high-quality yet aesthetically appealing labeling solutions. Key factors that contribute to this are advancements in molding technologies, usage of sustainable materials such as polypropylene, and the increased consumption of in-mold labels within food and beverages packaging.
Market needs have also benefited from advances in high-resolution printing technologies like flexographic and digital processes, satisfying applications that call for bright, individually customizable labels. Challenges of large initial investment requirements as well as lack of economies for recycling of multi-material labels, however, has limited such higher applications within markets sensitive to price.
Going forward, growth will be higher because attention from regulators to sustainable packaging, including their emphasis on mono-material solutions, is building up. Advanced barrier in-mold labels will find demand from pharmaceuticals and personal care, since innovations in digital printing will help facilitate greater customization.
Large-scale adoption in the emerging markets is expected where the consumption of packaged foods would continue to grow along with higher investment in local manufacturing capabilities. Smaller players would face barriers of having specialized equipment and technical know-how, thereby allowing market consolidation into larger and established manufacturers.
Tier 1 company leaders are characterized by high production technology and a wide product portfolio. These market leaders are distinguished by their extensive expertise in manufacturing and reconditioning across multiple packaging formats and a broad geographical reach, underpinned by a robust consumer base. They provide a wide range of series including reconditioning, recycling, and manufacturing utilizing the latest technology and meeting the regulatory standards providing the highest quality.
Prominent companies within Tier 1 include CCL Industries Inc., Avery Dennison Corp., Fuji Seal International Inc., Huhtamaki Oyj, Berry Global Group, and Sonoco Products Company.
Tier 2 companies are characterized by a strong presence overseas and strong market knowledge. These market players have good technology and ensure regulatory compliance but may not have advanced technology and wide global reach. Prominent companies in Tier 2 include Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, Coveris Holding S.A., Multicolor Corporation, Winpak Ltd, Grupo Phoenix (Tekni-Plex, Inc), and Taghleef Industries.
Tier 3 includes the majority of small-scale companies operating at the local presence and serving niche markets. These companies are notably oriented towards fulfilling local market demands and are consequently classified within the tier 3 share segment. They are small-scale players and have limited geographical reach. Tier 3, within this context, is recognized as an unorganized market, denoting a sector characterized by a lack of extensive structure and formalization when compared to organized competitors.
The section below covers the industry analysis for the in-mold labels market for different countries. Market demand analysis on key countries in several regions of the globe, including North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and others, is provided. USA is anticipated to remain at the forefront in North America, with a CAGR of 2.9% through 2035. In South Asia & Pacific, India is projected to witness a CAGR of 4.9% by 2035.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 2.9% |
| Canada | 2.4% |
| Brazil | 3.6% |
| Argentina | 3.0% |
| Germany | 1.4% |
| China | 3.2% |
| India | 4.9% |
The main driving force for the demand of IML in the USA pharmaceutical sector is secure, tamper-evident, and high-performance packaging solutions. Since the regulatory requirements of pharmaceutical packaging are becoming tough and the FDA will no longer approve such packaging without robust compliance measures, IMLs are strong alternatives for use in pharmaceutical products.
These IMLs exhibit a higher strength against environmental stress factors such as moisture and light and are much needed for safeguarding sensitive medicines.
The added bonus of this for IMLs is in the filling of pharmaceutical blister packs, whose integrity is paramount; with that inherent integrity as being an element of the mould themselves comes a degree of tamper-evident properties but also the scope to include multi-layer barrier material to further prevent against any form of potential contamination.
Good printability in IMLs allows clear, readable, and informative product information, such as dosage instructions and safety warnings, required by labeling regulations. Rising demand for safe and informative pharmaceutical packaging makes companies opt for IMLs in the USA market.
The demand for IMLs in the beverage industry in Germany is very high due to an increasing focus on sustainability and the need for eco-friendly packaging solutions. Mono-material packaging and focus on recycling are now accorded paramount importance by German consumers and regulators, and German beverage packaging manufacturers in the face of more stringent regulations.
The beverage industry is finding strong acceptance for polypropylene-based IMLs due to recyclability and compatibility without adhesives and extra label application steps on bottles.
In the carbonated soft drink category, IMLs are preferred because of their strength and moisture resistance, which allows labels to survive the entire product life cycle, from manufacturing to consumption. IMLs are also suitable for use in beverages with long shelf lives because they can endure extreme temperatures when in transit and during handling. This further comprises of good print quality that would result in very colorful branding, one of the reasons IMLs is applied in the beverage market in Germany, where the competition is very tight.
Key players operating in the in-mold labels market are investing in the development of innovative sustainable solutions and also entering into partnerships. Key in-mold labels providers have also been acquiring smaller players to grow their presence to further penetrate the in-mold labels market across multiple regions.
Recent Industry Developments in the In-mold Labels Market
| Report Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2024) | USD 1.11 billion |
| Current Total Market Size (2025) | USD 1.13 billion |
| Projected Market Size (2035) | USD 1.49 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 2.8% |
| Base Year for Estimation | 2024 |
| Historical Period | 2020 to 2024 |
| Projections Period | 2025 to 2035 |
| Quantitative Units | USD million for value and million sq. meters for volume |
| Materials Analyzed (Segment 1) | Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polyethylene, Polystyrene, Barrier, Paper, Others |
| Processes Analyzed (Segment 2) | Blow Molding, Injection Molding, Thermoforming |
| Printing Methods Analyzed (Segment 3) | Gravure, Flexographic, Offset, Screen, Digital, Others |
| End Uses Analyzed (Segment 4) | Food, Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Domestic Care, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Others |
| Regions Covered | North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; South Asia and Pacific; East Asia; Middle East & Africa |
| Countries Covered | United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, China, India, Japan, South Korea, ANZ, GCC Countries, South Africa |
| Key Players influencing the In-Mold Labels Market | CCL Industries Inc., Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, Coveris Holding S.A, Avery Dennison Corp., Multicolor Corporation, Fuji Seal International Inc., Huhtamaki Oyj, Duratech Industries Inc., Tasus Corporation, Aspasie Inc., Serigraph Inc., Smyth Companies, LLC, Inland Label and Marketing Services LLC, Sonoco Products Company, Berry Global Group, Winpak Ltd, Grupo Phoenix (Tekni-Plex, Inc), Taghleef Industries, GRÁFICA RAMI, Xiang In Enterprise Co., Ltd., IML Containers |
| Additional Attributes | Material preference in food-safe and recyclable packaging, Dominance of injection molding for rigid container labeling, Advancements in flexo and digital printing precision, Cost-effectiveness and sustainability of in-mold labeling in large volume production, Market adoption across pharmaceutical and cosmetics packaging |
| Customization and Pricing | Customization and Pricing Available on Request |
In terms of material, the industry is divided into polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polystyrene, barrier, paper, and others.
The industry is segregated into blow molding, injection molding, and thermoforming.
In-mold labels with gravure, flexographic, offset, screen, digital, and other printing methods are described.
A few of the important end-use include food, beverage, pharmaceutical, domestic care, cosmetics & personal, and others.
Key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East & Africa have been covered in the report.
The global in-mold labels industry is projected to witness CAGR of 2.8% between 2025 and 2035.
The global in-mold labels industry stood at USD 1.11 billion in 2024.
The global in-mold labels industry is anticipated to reach USD 1.49 billion by 2035 end.
South Asia & Pacific region is set to record the highest CAGR of 3.4% in the assessment period.
The key players operating in the global in-mold labels industry include CCL Industries Inc., Multicolor Corporation, and Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH.
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In-mold Labels Market
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