Labels Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The global labels market size is set to reach a valuation of USD 41.75 billion in 2023 and accelerate at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2023 to 2033. The market is projected to reach USD 67.36 billion by the end of 2033. Sales of labels are anticipated to augment, with the top 5 players holding 10-15% of the global labels market share in 2023.

Based on product type, the pressure-sensitive labels (PSL) segment is projected to hold a major portion of the global labels industry during the forecast period. These labels can withstand and maintain their integrity in different environmental conditions and are easy to apply. The segment is thus anticipated to hold around 3/4th of the market by the end of the forecast period.

According to FMI, the labels industry totaled USD 39.8 billion in 2022. Sales of labels may propel, with the top 3 countries estimated to hold 25-30% of the global labels market by the end of 2023. The market is estimated to witness a positive growth outlook by the end of 2023.

The need for better safety and authenticity among end-use industries is anticipated to bolster the demand for Smart labels, creating new growth opportunities in the global market. The labels market is projected to grow 1.7 times the current value between 2023 and 2033.

The North American and European regions are anticipated to showcase high demand for labels due to the implementation of strict regulations by government bodies associated with the packaging and labeling of various end-use products. The rapid expansion of these regions' food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries can fuel growth.

Labels Industry (From 2018 to 2022)

CAGR 4.5%
Market Size - 2018 USD 33.37 billion
Market Size - 2022 USD 39.8 billion

Labels Industry (From 2023 to 2033)

CAGR 4.9%
Market Size - 2023 USD 41.75 billion
Market Size - 2033 USD 67.36 billion

Don't pay for what you don't need

Customize your report by selecting specific countries or regions and save 30%!

From 2018 to 2022 Global Labels Demand Outlook Compared to Forecast From 2023 to 2033

The global labels market has drastically changed in the last few years. The market expanded at a CAGR of 4.5% during the historical period (2018 to 2022) and reached USD 39.8 billion in 2022 from USD 33.37 billion in 2018.

Driven by the increasing demand for food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals globally, the labels market is anticipated to advance at a 4.9% CAGR from 2023 to 2033. The right kind of labeling establishes and enhances brand awareness. It plays a significant role in attracting and retaining consumers. Labels are pieces of plastic, paper, or foil attached to the product and provide information about the same.

Rising demand for packaged perishable products is expected to augment sales of labels during the forecast period. The organized retail sector expansion is compelling the labels market. Retailers use labels to monitor the product’s longevity. Smart labels are useful for inventory tracking in the retail industry. They can easily detect inventory as stock-keeping units are followed in the retail chain.

The expansion of the e-commerce sector and rising digitization are projected to force the labels industry. Labeling is employed to identify the brands and protect products from counterfeiting. The labels market has witnessed steady growth in adoption due to reduced storage and freight costs. Linerless labels have environmental benefits that help reduce waste by lowering plastic consumption and augmenting demand.

Label Market Dynamics: The Dual Trends Propelling Sales Growth

RFID Tracing the Path of a Transcontinental Technology

The RFID technology is gaining traction among label manufacturers as it reduces employment costs and eliminates human errors. It works without human intervention and can read a long range of information. Moreover, acceptance of this technology is increasing owing to its ability to identify, which is crucial in the retail sector. RFID labels are less sensitive to adverse conditions, which would further propel their usage in the labels market.

These labels assist in synchronizing the process of repairing and inventory control for enterprises & maintaining the true authenticity of products. The emergence of newer technologies, such as NFC and sensing labels, also provides end users a unique experience. These advanced labels offer direct package-to-smartphone communication, paving the way for more capable and streamlined self-adhesive labeling and packaging use.

Self-Adhesive Labels with a Low Environmental Footprint

Rising demand for sustainable products and various government & non-government initiatives revolving around the use of sustainable products would create new growth opportunities for the sustainable labels market. Key labels manufacturers operating in the market are offering sustainable labels to cater to the growing demand.

For instance, Avery Dennison Corporation offers a label made from recycled PP. The company’s recycled PP is produced from 30% pre-consumer waste. Also, it provides a multicycle label that is an ultra-permanent self-adhesive label for beverage packaging that withstand the power of up to 30 product life cycles.

Besides, the company has partnered with Romei Replastic to convert labeling waste into new raw materials to help customers find the right label recycling solution.

The growing focus on sustainability is rapidly shifting the packaging and labeling industry. The availability of compostable self-adhesive materials would drive the target market. HERMA offers compostable self-adhesive raw materials for biodegradable labels. Overall, key players are projected to adopt the sustainability trend and offer sustainable self-adhesive labels to strengthen their positions in the market.

Ismail Sutaria
Ismail Sutaria

Principal Consultant

Talk to Analyst

Find your sweet spots for generating winning opportunities in this market.

Challenges in the Labels Market

The labels market faces several difficulties, such as changing regulatory demands for precise product and sustainability information, forcing producers to alter labeling procedures periodically. The complexity of the global supply chain makes flexible labeling solutions necessary.

Innovative design methods are required because of the consumer demand for customized and aesthetically pleasing labels, resulting in a spike in design complexity. Strong security precautions are necessary because counterfeiting is still an ongoing issue.

Physical and digital labels must work together seamlessly to avoid compatibility problems brought on by digital transformation, which is necessary for a successful omnichannel experience. Overcoming these hurdles requires balancing compliance, creativity, security, and technological integration.

Category- Wise Outlook

Pressure-sensitive labels Stand Tall as the Preferred Choice.

Attributes Pressure-Sensitive Labels
Segment Share 75%

By the end of 2023, the pressure-sensitive labels segment share is anticipated to reach 75%. Pressure-sensitive labels can be fully customized, are convenient, eco-friendly, and work with high-definition printing. It is projected that all of these causes are going to boost demand for pressure-sensitive labels.

Anticipated Spike in Label Machine Adoption in the Food Industry

Attributes Food Segment
Segment CAGR 3.4%

In the global labels market, it is predicted that the food segment is going to present a lucrative growth opportunity. The segment is anticipated to have a CAGR of 3.4% between 2023 and 2033, according to FMI. As millennials' awareness of health and fitness increases, there ought to be an upward trend in their desire for organic and high-quality packaged food, which may propel the demand for food labels.

Get the data you need at a Fraction of the cost

Personalize your report by choosing insights you need
and save 40%!

Regional Outlook

Envisioned Efforts to Skyrocket Label Sales in the United States

Expanding Snacking Trend in the United States to Upgrade the Demand for Label Stickers

Attributes United States Market
CAGR 4.2%

United States is anticipated to hold 85% of total sales in North America by the end of the forecast period and is anticipated to expand at an impressive CAGR of 4.2%. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, labeling for food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is required as the demand for food hygiene, nutrition, and healthcare has grown rapidly. The boom in the e-commerce sector across the United States is mainly driven by rapid technological innovation and ongoing digitalization in the packaging & labeling industries.

Changing lifestyles and demographics are leading to the growing consumption of ready-to-eat and packaged processed food items. Besides, snacking in place of meals would foster the need for small, single-use pouches, augmenting the demand for labels in the country. Growing demand for sustainable packaging and labeling solutions is another key factor anticipated to facilitate the high demand for eco-friendly labels in the United States market.

Label Industry's Future: India's Commanding Demand Projection

High Demand for Frozen Food in India to Fuel Sales of Waterproof Labels

Attributes Indian Market
Market CAGR 8.9%

The Indian labels market is anticipated to boost at an 8.9% CAGR over the forecast period. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), there is a high demand for packaged food and a plan to present front-of-package (FoP) labeling on packaged foods in India. This may help consumers to choose healthier food.

Advancing demand for perishable frozen packaged products such as meat, poultry, and seafood is anticipated to augment labels' sales due to the shifting consumer preference for packed & convenient food consumption. India is a fast-emerging economy with surging demand for organized retail outlets, supermarkets, and convenience stores that may bolster growth in the labels market. The emergence of numerous quick-service restaurants and food delivery services can foster growth in India.

Competitive Landscape

Pivotal label manufacturers strive to focus on innovative product launches, acquisitions, and expansions due to the increasing demand from the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. A few other label manufacturers are engaging in partnerships and collaborations to co-develop novel products and strengthen their presence in the market.

Essential Labels Manufacturers

  • CCL Industries Inc.
  • Avery Dennison Corporation
  • Fuji Seal International, Inc.
  • Huhtamäki Oyj
  • Amcor plc
  • Coveris Holding S.A.
  • Multi-Color Corporation
  • Honeywell International Inc.
  • 3M Company
  • Klöckner Pentaplast Europe GmbH & Co KG
  • Anchor Printing
  • Derksen Company
  • Traco Manufacturing, Inc.
  • Resource Label Group, LLC

Latest Developments

Company Avery Dennison Corporation
Strategy Expansion
Details Avery Dennison Corporation increased its capacity in May 2022 to meet the demand for label and packaging materials. A second, ultra-modern, high-speed hot melt adhesive coater for labels may be a part of the new facility.
Company Resource Label Group, LLC
Strategy Acquisition
Details Resource Label Group, LLC purchased QSX Labels in January 2022 to increase its regional footprint in New England.
Company CCL Industries Inc.
Strategy Investment
Details CCL Industries Inc. can install the first HP Indigo 35K Digital Press in the entire globe in December 2021 at its CCL Label Healthcare facility in Canada.

Lintec, Honeywell, Fuji Seal, and Avery Dennison: The 4 Label Manufacturing Giants Are Putting Sustainability at the Forefront

Prominent label manufacturers know labels' important role in today's competitive world of marketing and branding. To ensure that labels communicate brand value effectively, various companies are hiring leading label manufacturers to design the overall packaging in such a way that it catches the attention of end users. Lintec, one of the renowned names in the label manufacturing space, is working toward maintaining a distinct identity through strategic initiatives.

  • For instance, the company launched its new flagship brand, Livasta, for its core label stock products at Labelexpo Europe 2019.

It partnered with Screen Europe to address ink and adhesive migration in the pharmaceutical packaging industry. It showcased its ultra-low migration label stock compatible with low migration inks used by the Screen Truepress Jet L350UV+LM label press.

Honeywell Inc., another player in the field of labels, is adopting new technologies to reduce fraud and increase trust among consumers and suppliers.

  • For instance, the company announced a partnership with iTRACE Technologies Inc. to build a blockchain distributed ledger platform that may help with complex supply chain tracing, identity, verification, and inventory management.

Honeywell may integrate blockchain-based product verification technology into its industrial printers as it would allow the company's supply chain management wing to provide real-time verification, authentication, and track-and-trace printed labels on demand.

Fuji Seal International Inc., on the other hand, is conscious of its sustainability initiatives. The company is committed to using recycled materials that cause limited environmental damage. It announced jointly developing shrink labels made partly from PET resin recycled from used and waste labels through a chemical recycling process. It collaborates with peers to develop PET bottle products decorated with generated shrink labels made from chemically recycled PET resin. These bottles are being sold on a trial basis from the end of July 2022.

Avery Dennison, another prominent label manufacturer, is investing significantly in recycling its products, as sustainability is one of the company's key goals.

  • For instance, its brand-new recycled content film (rMDO) is made from 30% post-consumer recycled material. The company announced introducing a direct thermal paper (rDT) with 15% recycled content.

Key Segments

By Product Type:

  • Pressure Sensitive Labels
  • Shrink Labels
  • Stretch Labels
  • Wet Glue Labels
  • Others (In-mold, pre-gummed, etc.)

By Material Type:

  • Plastic
    • Polyethylene (PE)
      • LDPE
      • HDPE
      • LLDPE
    • Polypropylene (PP)
    • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
    • Others
  • Paper
  • Foil

By Printing Technique:

  • Flexographic Printing
  • Digital Printing
  • Gravure Printing
  • Offset Printing
  • Letterpress Printing

By Ink Type:

  • Solvent Based
  • Water Based
  • UV Based
  • Others (Latex Based, etc.)

By End Use:

  • Food
    • Bakery & Confectionery
    • Dairy Products
    • Baby Food
    • Chilled/Frozen Food
    • Others (Snacks, etc.)
  • Beverages
    • Alcoholic
    • Non-Alcoholic
  • Pharmaceutical
    • Tablet/Capsules
    • Cream & Ointment
    • Liquid Syrup
    • Others
  • Cosmetics & Personal Care
  • Homecare & Toiletries
  • Chemicals
  • Automobiles
  • Other Consumer Durables

By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • South Asia
  • East Asia
  • Middle East and Africa
  • Oceania

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the Top Trend in the Sorting Equipment Market?

The growing advanced and improved sorting equipment increases current market trends.

How Big is the Driver Labels Market?

The labels market is valued at USD 41.75 billion in 2023.

Who are the Key Players in the Labels Market?

Fuji Seal International Inc. and 3M Company are the key market players.

Which is the Key Segment by Product Type?

Pressure sensitive labels segment is likely to remain preferred through 2033.

What is the Go-to-Market Strategy?

Players opt for mergers, product launches, and acquisitions.

Table of Content
  • 1. Executive Summary
  • 2. Market Overview
  • 3. Market Background
  • 4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033
  • 5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Product Type
    • 5.1. Pressure Sensitive Labels
    • 5.2. Shrink Labels
    • 5.3. Stretch Labels
    • 5.4. Wet Glue Labels
    • 5.5. Others
  • 6. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Material Type
    • 6.1. Plastic
      • 6.1.1. Polyethylene
      • 6.1.2. Polypropylene
      • 6.1.3. Polyethylene Terephthalate
      • 6.1.4. others
    • 6.2. Paper
    • 6.3. Foil
  • 7. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Printing Technique
    • 7.1. Flexographic Printing
    • 7.2. Digital Printing
    • 7.3. Gravure Printing
    • 7.4. Offset Printing
    • 7.5. Letterpress Printing
  • 8. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Ink Type
    • 8.1. Solvent Based
    • 8.2. Water Based
    • 8.3. UV Based
    • 8.4. Others
  • 9. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By End Use
    • 9.1. Food
      • 9.1.1. Bakery & Confectionery
      • 9.1.2. Dairy Products
      • 9.1.3. Baby Food
      • 9.1.4. Chilled/Frozen Food
      • 9.1.5. Others
    • 9.2. Beverages
      • 9.2.1. Alcoholic
      • 9.2.2. Non-Alcoholic
    • 9.3. Pharmaceutical
      • 9.3.1. Tablet/Capsules
      • 9.3.2. Cream & Ointment
      • 9.3.3. Liquid Syrup
      • 9.3.4. Others
    • 9.4. Cosmetics & Personal Care
    • 9.5. Homecare & Toiletries
    • 9.6. Chemicals
    • 9.7. Automobiles
    • 9.8. Others
  • 10. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Region
    • 10.1. North America
    • 10.2. Latin America
    • 10.3. Western Europe
    • 10.4. Eastern Europe
    • 10.5. South Asia and Pacific
    • 10.6. East Asia
    • 10.7. Middle East and Africa
  • 11. North America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 12. Latin America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 13. Western Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 14. Eastern Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 15. South Asia and Pacific Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 16. East Asia Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 17. Middle East and Africa Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
  • 18. Key Countries Market Analysis
  • 19. Market Structure Analysis
  • 20. Competition Analysis
    • 20.1. CCL Industries Inc.
    • 20.2. Avery Dennison Corporation
    • 20.3. Fuji Seal International, Inc.
    • 20.4. Huhtamäki Oyj
    • 20.5. Amcor plc
    • 20.6. Coveris Holding S.A.
    • 20.7. Multi-Color Corporation
    • 20.8. Honeywell International Inc.
    • 20.9. 3M Company
    • 20.10. Klöckner Pentaplast Europe GmbH & Co KG
    • 20.11. Anchor Printing
    • 20.12. Derksen Company
    • 20.13. Traco Manufacturing, Inc.
    • 20.14. Resource Label Group, LLC
  • 21. Assumptions & Acronyms Used
  • 22. Research Methodology
Recommendations

Packaging

In-mold Label Market

May 2024

REP-GB-2621

470 pages

Packaging

Smart Label Market

February 2024

REP-GB-2704

333 pages

Explore Packaging Insights

View Reports
Future Market Insights

Labels Market

Schedule a Call