Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2032

Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Size

• The Middle East and Africa plastic wrap market size was valued at USD 1.16 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.82 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.80% during the forecast period
• The market growth is largely fuelled by the latest advancements in technology. Innovations such as nano-engineered materials and sustainable alternatives
• Increased demand for convenience and food preservation solutions has also driven market expansion. Companies are investing in research to develop eco-friendly options, catering to environmentally conscious consumers and addressing concerns about plastic waste

Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Analysis

• The demand for plastic wrap for food packaging is poised for growth due to its crucial role in preserving food freshness
• As consumers increasingly opt for convenience and ready-to-eat meals, plastic wrap serves as a reliable solution, offering a protective barrier against moisture, air, and contaminants
  • For instance, in the busy urban lifestyle, pre-cut fruits and vegetables packaged with plastic wrap provide convenience without compromising on freshness, driving market expansion
• Africa dominated the Middle East and Africa plastic wrap market in 2024, driven by the expanding food and beverage sector, rising urban population, and increasing reliance on cost-effective food packaging solutions
• ​Saudi Arabia is expected to witness the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the Middle East and Africa plastic wrap market due to increasing demand for packaged food products, rapid urbanization, and a growing focus on modern retail infrastructure
• The stretch films segment dominated the plastic wrap market with the largest revenue share of 38.5% in 2024, owing to its widespread use in packaging and pallet unitization across food, beverage, and logistics sectors

Report Scope and Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Segmentation

Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Trends

“Sustainability and Biodegradability in Focus”

• A major trend shaping the Middle East and Africa plastic wrap market is the growing shift toward sustainable and biodegradable alternatives, driven by increasing environmental concerns and government regulations on single-use plastics. Brands and manufacturers are investing in eco-friendly wraps made from materials such as PLA, PHA, starch-based polymers, and compostable films
  • For instance, in May 2025, Mars Inc.’s Kind Snacks launched a curbside-recyclable paper wrapper pilot for its Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt bars in the U.S., marking a significant move toward greener alternatives
• Companies such as TIPA Corp and Presto Products’ Fresh-Lock have expanded availability of certified home-compostable pouch zippers across Europe and the Asia-Pacific, supporting zero-waste packaging initiatives
• In addition, there is growing innovation in bio-based plastic films that replicate the flexibility, strength, and clarity of conventional wraps while offering industrial and home compostability. Regulatory support and consumer demand are accelerating this innovation
• This trend is also amplified by the rise of organic and farm-to-table retail formats, which increasingly prefer biodegradable wraps for fruits, vegetables, and deli goods to align with brand values
• As environmental awareness rises, biodegradable and recyclable plastic wraps are no longer niche major players are expected to scale production, signaling a long-term shift toward circular packaging models

Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Dynamics

Driver

“Rising Demand for Hygienic, Convenient, and Lightweight Packaging Solutions”

• Rising demand for hygienic, convenient, and lightweight packaging solutions across the food and beverage sector is a key factor driving the Middle East and Africa plastic wrap market. These wraps extend shelf life, maintain product integrity, and reduce food waste in retail and household settings
  • For instance, in April 2025, DS Smith introduced its 100% recyclable GoChill Cooler, providing an innovative, fiber-based alternative to Styrofoam packaging—an instance of sustainable food containment driving growth
• The surge in ready-to-eat meals, online grocery deliveries, and frozen foods across urban markets has increased demand for stretch and shrink wraps, especially those with moisture-proof and puncture-resistant properties
• In addition, industrial applications, including bundling, warehousing, and transport, rely heavily on plastic wraps for securing goods and reducing handling losses. The rise of e-commerce and global logistics chains continues to fuel demand
• The increasing adoption of multi-layered and metallized wraps with improved barrier properties—protecting against oxygen, UV, and moisture—further strengthens the market outlook across food, pharma, and cosmetic end-users

Restraint/Challenge

“Environmental Concerns and Regulatory Restrictions on Single-Use Plastics”

• Environmental concerns and regulatory restrictions on single-use plastics pose a significant challenge to the plastic wrap market. Governments worldwide are banning or taxing plastic-based packaging to curb plastic pollution, affecting traditional plastic wrap sales
  • For instance, the European Union’s single-use plastics directive and similar bans in countries such as India and Canada have mandated producers to transition toward biodegradable alternatives or face market restrictions
• Moreover, consumer pushback against petroleum-based plastics, especially among environmentally conscious demographics, is prompting retailers and manufacturers to seek alternative wrap materials, putting pressure on legacy products
• Another challenge lies in recycling complexities. Plastic wraps, especially those with multilayer or metallized components, are often not accepted by standard municipal recycling systems, leading to low recovery rates and environmental criticism
• Lastly, the cost of sustainable alternatives, such as compostable wraps or bio-based polymers, is relatively higher than conventional plastic wraps, limiting their uptake in price-sensitive markets. Infrastructure gaps in composting or recycling facilities further hinder their adoption
• To sustain growth, the industry must focus on innovation, regulatory alignment, and consumer education around disposal and end-of-life value while developing cost-effective green alternatives

Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of type, material, feature, processing type, transparency, hardness, thickness, distribution channel, and end-user.

• By Type

On the basis of type, the plastic wrap market is segmented into Stretch Films, Shrink Films, Metallized Films, Twist Film, Release Film, Twist Rope, and Others. The Stretch Films segment dominated the Plastic Wrap market with the largest revenue share of 38.5% in 2024, owing to its widespread use in packaging and pallet unitization across food, beverage, and logistics sectors. Stretch films are favored for their elasticity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to tightly secure goods without adhesives or heat.

The Metallized Films segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by rising demand for high-barrier packaging in snack foods and pharmaceutical applications. These films offer excellent protection against light, moisture, and oxygen, enhancing shelf life.

• By Material

On the basis of material, the plastic wrap market is segmented into Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH), Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Nylon, and Others. The Polyethylene (PE) segment held the largest market share of 42.1% in 2024, supported by its flexibility, cost-efficiency, and widespread use in food and industrial packaging. Both LDPE and LLDPE are extensively used for stretch and shrink applications.

The EVOH segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, due to its superior gas barrier properties, making it ideal for vacuum packaging and extending food shelf life.

• By Feature

On the basis of feature, the plastic wrap market is segmented into Moisture Proof and Water Soluble. The Moisture Proof segment dominated the market in 2024 with a market share of 68.9%, driven by the demand for moisture-resistant packaging in food and pharma sectors.

The Water Soluble segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, with sustainability initiatives encouraging the adoption of dissolvable packaging in personal care and detergent pods.

• By Processing Type

Based on processing type, the market is segmented into Casting, Multiple Extrusion, Blow Molding, and Injection Molding. The Blow Molding segment held the largest market share in 2024, owing to its dominance in producing thin, flexible films ideal for food and consumer goods packaging.

The Multiple Extrusion segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by the need for multilayer structures that provide superior mechanical and barrier properties.

• By Transparency

By transparency, the plastic wrap market is classified into Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque. The Transparent segment led the market in 2024 with a market share of 51.3%, favored for its clarity and use in product display packaging.

The Opaque segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, especially for packaging light-sensitive pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

• By Hardness

On the basis of hardness, the market is segmented into Soft and Rigid. The Soft segment dominated the market in 2024 with a revenue share of 59.7%, largely due to the popularity of flexible wraps in consumer and industrial packaging.

The Rigid segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, in applications where structural integrity and puncture resistance are critical, such as chemical packaging.

• By Thickness

Based on thickness, the plastic wrap market is segmented into Below 8 Microns, 8 to 14 Microns, 14 to 20 Microns, and 20 Microns and Above. The 8 to 14 Microns segment held the largest market share in 2024, as it balances flexibility and durability, making it suitable for food and retail packaging.

The Below 8 Microns category is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, due to efforts to reduce material usage and enhance film performance.

• By Distribution Channel

On the basis of distribution channel, the plastic wrap market is segmented into E-commerce, Convenience Store, Retail Stores, Supermarket/Hypermarket, and Others. The Supermarket/Hypermarket segment led the market in 2024 with a share of 34.6%, benefiting from bulk availability and consumer preference for in-store selection.

The E-commerce segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, as online platforms enable access to a wide range of products and cater to small businesses and end-users directly.

• By End-User

On the basis of end-user, the market is segmented into Food and Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Chemical, and Others. The Food and Beverages segment dominated in 2024 with a market share of 47.8%, driven by increasing demand for perishable food preservation and ready-to-eat packaging.

The Pharmaceutical segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, as tamper-evident and barrier packaging gain importance in regulated healthcare markets.

Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Regional Analysis

• Africa dominated the Middle East and Africa plastic wrap market in 2024, driven by the expanding food and beverage sector, rising urban population, and increasing reliance on cost-effective food packaging solutions
• The widespread use of plastic wrap for preserving perishables in households, informal markets, and small retail outlets supports steady market demand. In addition, the region’s growing food processing and distribution networks are accelerating the uptake of plastic wraps across various applications
• Improvements in cold chain logistics and packaging infrastructure further enhance the market potential across African nations

Saudi Arabia Plastic Wrap Market Insight

The Saudi Arabia is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to, fueled by rising demand for packaged and convenience foods, along with increased urbanization and lifestyle shifts. The country’s growing retail and hospitality sectors are contributing to higher usage of plastic wrap in food storage and presentation. In addition, national initiatives to strengthen domestic manufacturing and food security are encouraging the adoption of efficient packaging solutions. The push toward hygienic and extended shelf-life packaging is further driving market growth.

Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap Market Share

The Middle East and Africa Plastic Wrap industry is primarily led by well-established companies, including:

• Napco National (Saudi Arabia)
• Taghleef Industries (U.A.E)
• Zubairi Plastic Bags Industry LLC (U.A.E)
• INTERPLAST Co. Ltd. (U.A.E)
• Hotpack Packaging Industries LLC (U.A.E)
• Gulf Plastic Industries Co. SAOC (Oman)
• Premier Packaging Industries LLC (U.A.E)
• Plastic Packaging Technologies (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa)
• Afroplast (South Africa)
• Flexpak (South Africa)

SKU-53224