The Future of Labels & Release Liners to 2026 | Global Packaging Industry Market Reports and Research

Table of Contents Key Facts and Figures

Label markets are forecast to reach $48,317 million in 2026, growing at 3.0% average annual growth rate from 2021, whilst release liner consumption is expected to grow at 4.0% AGR, reaching $10,679 million in 2026. By 2026, the market is expected to reach 87,193 million m², with a CAGR of 3.8% from 2021.

Building upon extensive secondary research and interviews with key industry participants, this expert market report discusses the impact of key marketplace and technology trends upon production and usage of labelling and release liner products, and forecasts consumption by market and geographic segment to 2026.

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Development and adoption of liner-less release label stock constructions will continue and modestly accelerate over the forecast period, as both consumers and regional regulatory bodies (in the EU zone in particular) increasingly demand more sustainable packaging options
Resumption of trends toward the adoption of more functional labels – interactive and ‘smart’ labels, for instance – and toward refinement and adoption of integrated digital printing systems for labels.

What will you discover?

Global and regional economic disruptions caused by responses to the COVID-19 pandemic began in the first quarter of 2020, with early, tentative signs of recovery emerging by mid-2021. Impacts upon label and release liner markets has varied widely:
- Relatively minor effects upon essential goods markets (food, many personal care and household items, medical products, for example)
- Significantly curtailed consumer spending for discretionary items (i.e. cosmetics, clothing, etc) as activities outside the home have been severely restricted
- Acceleration of growth of e-markets, and the associated packaging and labelling materials, at the expense of traditional retail outlets
- Ongoing disruptions of global supply / distribution chains, especially with global ocean freight and at the distribution / retail end of the supply chain.

The Smithers Methodology

This report is based on extensive primary and secondary research. Primary research consisted of interviews with targeted interviews with packaging material suppliers, converters and experts drawn from key markets. This was supported by secondary research in the form of extensive literature analysis of published data, official government statistics, domestic and international trade organisation data, company websites, industry reports, trade press articles, presentations, and attendance at trade events.

Who should buy the report?

Manufacturers of label printing equipment
Suppliers of inks and coatings
Suppliers of label stocks

About the author:

Bob Brothers has an extensive portfolio of hands-on experience in marketing research, market development, and new business creation with global manufacturing giants Eastman Chemical, DuPont, and BASF, and as an independent consultant. Under Bob’s leadership, the independent consultancy Marketing Intelligence & Strategy Associates, creates value for its clients through leadership, imagination and accomplishment. Planning and executing complex marketing research programs, formulating valuable insights, and collaborating with business leaders to implement recommendations. Some areas of experience include novel multifunctional monomers and specialty polymers, specialty polymers for housewares and infant care products, medical devices and packaging, new building materials and green building designs, specialty polymers for ophthalmics, eyewear, and home appliances, paint, coating and polymer intermediates, consumer and industrial packaging materials and systems, bio-materials, recycling, and ‘circular economies’.

Name The Future of Labels and Release Liners to 2026

Date 30/09/2021

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Economic, social and demographic influences underpin labels demand
- Growing importance of source reduction and sustainable packaging
- Technological advancements supports label market development
- Pressure-sensitive labels overtake wet glue, sleeves gains market share
- Filmic labelstock release liners gaining market share, paper still dominates
- Digital printing continues to gain market share
- Drinks markets dominate label consumption
- Asia is largest and fastest-growing labels market
Introduction and methodology
- Introduction
- Objectives
- Scope and methodology
  - Label types
  - Print processes
  - Release liner types
  - End-use sector
  - Geographic market
  - Data
- Methodology
  - List of abbreviations
  - Exchange rates
Market Overview
- Introduction
- Market drivers
  - Economic influences
  - Social influences
  - Demographic influences
  - Source reduction and sustainable packaging
  - Demand for convenience food is growing
  - Major retail chains gaining market share
  - Smart labels
  - Intelligent labels
  - Skinny labels
Cutting-edge technology developments
- Cutting edge technologies
- Smart labels
- New label product developments
  - Switchable self adhesives
  - Bio PE film labels
  - DirectLink label technology
  - COMPAC linerless
  - HP-CBR
  - VANISH labels
  - RC 77
  - Bow labels
  - Silco 2S Ultrastable
  - MAXstick linerless labels
  - Slidable labelling
  - Skin-pack labelling
- Printing machinery developments
  - Analogue press labels
    - Flexo plate technology developments
- Digital printing
  - Low end label printers
  - Workflow
- Finishing
- Label applicators
  - ELF desktop labelling equipment
  - Kube labelling machine
- Direct to pack printing and imaging
Label and release liner market overview
- Introduction
- Labels
  - Pressure-sensitive labels
  - Shrink sleeve labels
  - Stretch sleeve labels
  - Wet glue labels
  - Pre-gummed labels
  - In-mould labels
- Release liners
  - Glassine, calendared kraft
  - Clay-coated kraft paper
  - Polyolefin-coated paper
  - Filmic
  - Other paper
Market by printing process
- Label markets
  - Current label manufacturing methods
  - Gravure
  - Letterpress
  - Flexography
  - Offset lithographic
  - Screen
  - Digital
Application markets
- Overview
- Food and dairy products
  - Market trends
    - Canned Food
    - Fresh food
    - Milk and dairy products
  - Label consumption for food and dairy products
  - Release liner consumption for food and dairy products
- Soft drinks
  - Market trends
    - Carbonated soft drinks
    - Bottled water
    - Fruit Juice
  - Label consumption for soft drinks
  - Release liner consumption for soft drinks
- Alcoholic drinks
  - Market trends
    - Beer
    - Champagne
    - Wine
    - Spirits
  - Label consumption for alcoholic drinks
  - Release liner consumption for alcoholic drinks
- Healthcare
  - Market trends for healthcare
  - Label consumption for healthcare
  - Release liner consumption for healthcare
- Cosmetics
  - Market trends for cosmetics
  - Label consumption for cosmetics
  - Release liner consumption for healthcare
- Industrial products
  - Market trends
  - Label consumption for industrial products
  - Release liner consumption for industrial products
Geographic markets
- Overview
- Western Europe
  - France
  - Germany
  - Italy
  - Spain
  - UK
- Central and Eastern Europe
  - Poland
  - Russia
- North America
  - Canada
  - Mexico
  - US
- South & Central America
  - Brazil
- Asia
  - China
  - India
  - Japan
- Other Regions
  - Turkey

List of Figures

FIGURE 0.1 Global labels consumption by label type, percentage share of market volume by area, 2018
FIGURE 0.2 Global labelstock release liner consumption by base type, percentage share of market volume by area, 2018
FIGURE 0.3 Global label print processes by print type, percentage share of market volume by area, 2018
FIGURE 0.4 Global labels consumption by end uses sector, percentage share of market volume by area, 2018
FIGURE 0.5 Global labels consumption by region, percentage share of market volume by area, 2018

List of Tables

TABLE 1.1 Exchange rates to the US dollar (=$1)
TABLE 2.1 Labels and release liners – summary of key market drivers
TABLE 2.2 GDP growth trends by region/country, 2016-26
TABLE 2.3 Population trends by region/country, 2016-26 (million
TABLE 3.1 Narrow web inkjet presses
TABLE 3.2 Low end digital label printers
TABLE 3.3 Timeline of label technology developments
TABLE 4.1 Global labels consumption by type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.2 Global labels consumption by type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 4.3 Pressure-sensitive labels consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.4 Pressure-sensitive labels consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 4.5 Shrink sleeve labels consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.6 Shrink sleeve labels consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 4.7 Stretch sleeve labels consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.8 Stretch sleeve labels consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 4.9 Wet glue labels consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.10 Wet glue labels consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 4.11 Pre-gummed labels consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.12 Pre-gummed labels consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 4.13 In-mould labels consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.14 In-mould labels consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 4.15 Global labelstock release liner consumption by liner type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.16 Labelstock release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.17 Labelstock release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 4.18 Glassine, calendered kraft release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.19 Clay-coated kraft paper release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.20 Polyolefin-coated paper release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.21 Filmic release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 4.22 Other paper release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 5.1 Global label printing output by process type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 5.2 Global label printing output by process and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 5.3 Global label printing output by process and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 5.4 Gravure label printing by label type and region, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 5.5 Gravure label printing by label type and region, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 5.6 Letterpress label printing by label type and region, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 5.7 Letterpress label printing by label type and region, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 5.8 Flexography label printing by label type and region, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 5.9 Flexography label printing by label type and region, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 5.10 Offset lithographic label printing by label type and region, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 5.11 Offset lithographic label printing by label type and region, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 5.12 Screen label printing by label type and region, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 5.13 Screen label printing by label type and region, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 5.14 Digital label printing by label type and region, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 5.15 Digital label printing by label type and region, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 6.1 Global labels consumption by end-use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 6.2 Global labels consumption by end-use and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 6.3 Global labels consumption by end-use and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 6.4 Food and dairy products: labels consumption by region and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 6.5 Food and dairy products: labels consumption by region and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 6.6 Soft drinks: labels consumption by region and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 6.7 Soft drinks: labels consumption by region and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 6.8 Alcoholic drinks: labels consumption by region and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 6.9 Alcoholic drinks: labels consumption by region and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 6.10 Healthcare: labels consumption by region and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 6.11 Healthcare: labels consumption by region and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 6.12 Cosmetics: labels consumption by region and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 6.13 Cosmetics: labels consumption by region and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 6.14 Household products: labels consumption by region and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 6.15 Household products: labels consumption by region and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 6.16 Industrial products: labels consumption by region and label type, 2020 (million m²)
TABLE 6.17 Industrial products: labels consumption by region and label type, 2026 (million m²)
TABLE 7.1 Label consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.2 Label consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.3 Release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.4 Release liner consumption by region, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.5 Western Europe: label consumption by national market, 2016-26
TABLE 7.6 Western Europe: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.7 Western Europe: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.8 Western Europe: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.9 France: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.10 France: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.11 France: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.12 France: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.13 Germany: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.14 Germany: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.15 Germany: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.16 Germany: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.17 Italy: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.18 Italy: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.19 Italy: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.20 Italy: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.21 Spain: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.22 Spain: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.23 Spain: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.24 Spain: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.25 UK: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.26 UK: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.27 UK: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.28 UK: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.29 Central & Eastern Europe: label consumption by national market, 2016-26
TABLE 7.30 Central & Eastern Europe: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.31 Central & Eastern Europe: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.32 Central & Eastern Europe: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.33 Poland: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.34 Poland: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.35 Poland: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.36 Poland: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.37 Russia: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.38 Russia: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.39 Russia: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.40 Russia: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.41 North America: label consumption by national market, 2016-26
TABLE 7.42 North America: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.43 North America: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.44 North America: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.45 Canada: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.46 Canada: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.47 Canada: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.48 Canada: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.49 Mexico: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.50 Mexico: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.51 Mexico: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.52 Mexico: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.53 US: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.54 US: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.55 US: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.56 US: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.57 South & Central America: label consumption by national market, 2016-26
TABLE 7.58 South & Central America: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.59 South & Central America: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.60 South & Central America: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.61 Brazil: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.62 Brazil: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.63 Brazil: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.64 Brazil: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.65 Asia: label consumption by national market, 2016-26
TABLE 7.66 Asia: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.67 Asia: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.68 Asia: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.69 China: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.70 China: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.71 China: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.72 China: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.73 India: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.74 India: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.75 India: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.76 India: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.77 Japan: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.78 Japan: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.79 Japan: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.80 Japan: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.81 Other regions: label consumption by national market, 2016-26
TABLE 7.82 Other regions: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.83 Other regions: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.84 Other regions: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.85 Turkey: economic & demographic trends, 2016-26
TABLE 7.86 Turkey: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 (million m²)
TABLE 7.87 Turkey: label consumption by label type, 2016-26 ($ million)
TABLE 7.88 Turkey: label consumption by end use sector, 2016-26 (million m²)

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