The Global Fresh Meat Packaging Market was valued at US$ 3143.4 million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 4304.7 million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% during the forecast period (2023–2029). This growth is being driven by rising consumer demand for fresh and safe meat products, increasing focus on food safety standards, and the adoption of advanced packaging solutions like Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) to extend shelf life across beef, pork, poultry, and seafood sectors.
As the food industry shifts toward sustainable practices and enhanced product preservation, the attention turns to the leading packaging providers who are innovating with high-barrier materials, eco-friendly designs, and efficient supply chains. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Fresh Meat Packaging Industry—a blend of global packaging giants, material innovators, and sustainability pioneers shaping the future of fresh meat protection and distribution.
🔟 1. Sealed Air Corporation
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP), and sustainable film solutions
Sealed Air stands as a dominant force in the fresh meat packaging landscape, renowned for its Cryovac brand that has set industry standards for meat preservation since the mid-20th century, supplying a wide array of systems to processors worldwide while ensuring minimal oxygen exposure to prevent spoilage and maintain vibrant color and texture, particularly popular in retail for beef and poultry with customizable high-barrier films.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Development of recyclable mono-material films to replace multi-layer plastics
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Partnerships with meat producers to achieve 50% reduction in virgin plastic use by 2025
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Implementation of circular economy programs, including take-back schemes for packaging waste
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Fresh Meat Packaging Market – View in Detailed Research Report
9️⃣ 2. Amcor plc
Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
Key Offering: Flexible packaging films, Vacuum Thermoformed Packaging (VTP), and recyclable meat trays
Amcor operates as a global leader in flexible and rigid packaging, delivering tailored solutions for fresh meat that prioritize functionality and environmental responsibility, including advanced barrier films for pork and seafood to block oxygen and moisture, supporting networks across 40 countries while complying with FDA and EU standards.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Commitment to 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025
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Investment in bio-based materials derived from renewable sources for meat films
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Collaboration with industry groups to reduce packaging waste in the fresh meat sector
8️⃣ 3. Berry Global Group, Inc.
Headquarters: Evansville, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Rigid containers, flexible films, and MAP systems for poultry and beef
Berry Global excels in versatile packaging for the fresh meat market, especially in North America, with thermoformed trays and lidding films offering puncture resistance and grease barriers for fatty meats like pork, integrating advanced sealing to prevent contamination and extend usability for retailers.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Expansion of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in meat packaging to 25% by 2025
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Development of lightweight films to lower material usage and carbon footprint
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Participation in global alliances for sustainable packaging standards
7️⃣ 4. Dow Inc.
Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: High-performance resins, barrier coatings, and VSP materials
Dow contributes through specialty chemicals and materials science, supplying resins for durable high-barrier packages essential for seafood and poultry protection against odors and oxidation, enabling flexible films that conform to meat shapes and preserve flavor in the cold chain.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Introduction of bio-derived polyethylene for meat packaging films
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Goal to commercialize 3 million metric tons of circular and bio-circular solutions by 2030
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R&D partnerships to enhance recyclability of multi-layer meat packages
Download FREE Sample Report:
Fresh Meat Packaging Market – View in Detailed Research Report
6️⃣ 5. Winpak Ltd.
Headquarters: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Key Offering: Laminated films, VTP, and rigid packaging for beef and pork
Winpak specializes in high-quality flexible packaging for proteins like fresh meats, featuring multi-layer constructions for protection against light, oxygen, and moisture to extend shelf life of premium cuts, serving North America and Europe from abattoirs to butchers.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Launch of recyclable pouch formats for fresh meat applications
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Investment in renewable energy for production facilities
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Collaboration on industry-wide recycling infrastructure
5️⃣ 6. Multivac Group
Headquarters: Wolfertschwenden, Germany
Key Offering: Vacuum packaging machines, VSP systems, and integrated solutions for seafood and poultry
Multivac provides end-to-end packaging machinery and consumables, revolutionizing fresh meat preservation with VSP for skin-tight protection, especially for seafood, equipping European processors with automated lines for hygiene and throughput, including traceability software.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Promotion of mono-material packaging compatible with existing recycling streams
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Energy-efficient machinery designs to lower operational emissions
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Initiatives to support paper-based alternatives in meat trays
4️⃣ 7. Coveris
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: Flexible films, trays, and MAP for pork and other meats
Coveris delivers innovative packaging balancing aesthetics and performance for fresh meat visual appeal and barriers against deterioration, widely used in Europe for pork with advanced extrusion for lightweight films, supporting customization and merchandising in crowded markets.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Development of 100% recyclable fresh meat films
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Reduction targets for plastic usage through thinner gauges
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Engagement in EU-funded projects for biodegradable meat packaging
Download FREE Sample Report:
Fresh Meat Packaging Market – View in Detailed Research Report
3️⃣ 8. Cascades Inc.
Headquarters: Kingsey Falls, Quebec, Canada
Key Offering: Fiber-based trays, sustainable films, and hybrid packaging for beef
Cascades emphasizes paper and fiber alternatives for eco-friendly trays in hybrid systems for beef, providing rigidity and visibility while preventing spoilage, supporting sustainable sourcing with FSC certifications and antimicrobial coatings.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Expansion of molded fiber products for meat trays
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Goal of 80% renewable content in all packaging by 2030
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Closed-loop recycling programs with meat industry partners
2️⃣ 9. Smurfit Kappa Group
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Key Offering: Corrugated and paperboard solutions, integrated with plastic films for poultry
Smurfit Kappa focuses on sustainable fiber-based packaging integrated with fresh meat needs, particularly lightweight protective options for poultry, enhancing stackability and efficiency across Europe with optimized designs for reduced carbon footprints.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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100% renewable and recyclable packaging portfolio
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Investment in water-based barriers for meat applications
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Partnerships to eliminate single-use plastics in fresh meat sector
1️⃣ 10. Kureha Corporation
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Biaxially oriented films, VTP, and high-barrier materials for seafood and pork
Kureha leads in advanced polymer technologies for fresh meat packaging with films offering oxygen scavenging and aroma retention for seafood, providing tear resistance and clarity for Asian and global markets, tested for food contact standards.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Development of biomass-derived PVDC alternatives for films
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Targets for carbon-neutral production by 2050
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Collaboration on global standards for compostable meat packaging
Read Full Report:
Fresh Meat Packaging Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🌍 Outlook: The Future of Fresh Meat Packaging Is Sustainable and Innovative
The fresh meat packaging market is experiencing a profound evolution, with traditional plastic-based solutions holding volume dominance particularly in MAP at over 45% share, while channeling resources into biodegradable alternatives, advanced barriers, and recyclable designs to address environmental concerns, fueled by eco-conscious consumers, shelf life extension needs, North America’s 30% lead, Asia-Pacific growth, and beef as the top application.
📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:
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Accelerated adoption of eco-friendly materials like bio-based films and paper composites in Europe and North America
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Regulatory mandates for recyclable content, aiming for 30-50% reductions in virgin plastics by 2030
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Digital integration for smart packaging, including sensors for freshness monitoring
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Strategic alliances between packaging firms and meat producers to optimize sustainability across the value chain
Read Full Report:
Fresh Meat Packaging Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The companies profiled here are not only safeguarding the freshness of global meat supplies—they are pioneering the sustainable transformation of food packaging, ensuring safer, greener options for tomorrow’s consumers.
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