Packaging Suction Cups Market Size, Share Global Analysis Report, 2024 – 2032

Industry Insights

[221+ Pages Report] According to Facts & Factors, the global packaging suction cups market size was valued at USD 9.72 billion in 2023 and is predicted to surpass USD 10.37 billion by the end of 2032. The packaging suction cups industry is expected to grow by a CAGR of 6.70% between 2024 and 2032.

Market Overview

Packaging section cups are vacuum-based gripping devices that help lift, hold, and release items. These cups are available in oval, bell, and flat designs, which help in catering to diverse applications with different surface shapes. These are made of nitrile, silicone, rubber, and polyurethane materials. These suction cups are ideal for usage in e-commerce, retail, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, automotive, electronics, logistics, and warehousing sectors. These suction cups are non-damaging and offer efficient grip, thereby making them suitable for fragile items.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global packaging suction cups market size is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 6.70% over the forecast period (2024-2032).
• In terms of revenue, the global packaging suction cups market size was valued at around USD 9.72 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 10.37 billion by 2032.
• Increasing automation in packaging is driving the growth of the global packaging suction cups market.
• Based on the types, the standard suction cups segment is growing at a high rate and is projected to dominate the global market.
• Based on applications, the food packaging segment is anticipated to grow with the highest CAGR in the global market.
• Based on the end-users, the automotive segment is projected to swipe the largest market share.
• Based on materials, the silicone segment is expected to dominate the global market.
• Based on region, North America is expected to dominate the global market during the forecast period.

Growth Drivers

• Increasing automation in packaging is driving the growth of the global market.

There is a growing adoption of automation in packaging lines, particularly in the pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and food & beverage sectors, which is emerging as a major driver for the growth of the global packaging suction cups market. Technology like robotic pick and drop systems involve suction cups for functioning.

However, the rising demand for ready-to-eat and packaged foods further stimulates the demand for suction cups in the market.

Also, there is an increasing demand for food-grade silicone suction cups, which is also fostering the growth of the market. Automotive manufacturers also highly demand suction cups to handle diverse items like dashboards and glass panels.

Additionally, the ongoing popularity of electric vehicles among people is also escalating the demand for suction cups in the market. The fast expansion of the e-commerce and logistics sector is another major factor driving the industry's growth. People are more inclined towards online shopping platforms, and therefore, there is a high demand for efficient packaging and sorting systems in the market.

Also, these are of high importance in the pharmaceutical and medical device sector because of the increasing demand for precise packaging solutions in the market. Therefore, all these factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the market.

For instance, Schmalz came up with a new line of packaging suction cups in 2019. These are made of ElastoDur material to efficiently handle abrasive cardboard boxes.

Restraints

• High initial investment is expected to hamper the growth of the global market.

There is a heavy requirement for high investment, particularly in automated packaging systems, which is likely to hinder the growth of the packaging suction cups industry during the forecast period.

Moreover, the frequent wear and tear of suction cups further adds up to the overall replacement and maintenance cost. Moreover, the limited performance of suction cups on some surfaces also hamper the growth of the industry.

Opportunities

• Advancements in material technology are likely to foster growth opportunities in the global market.

The ongoing innovations in material technologies that improve their properties, such as flexibility, durability, and heat resistance, are likely to foster growth opportunities in the global packaging suction cups market. Manufacturers are coming up with anti-static and non-marking cups, which are further likely to revolutionize the market in the coming years.

However, increasing investment in Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing is also likely to positively influence the growth of the industry. Companies are more attracted to IoT-based suction cup systems and AI-driven robotic systems to increase the speed of packaging operations and eliminate any possible downtime. Therefore, all these factors are expected to widen the scope of the industry during the forecast period.

Challenges

• Competition from alternative technologies is a big challenge in the global market.

There are many emerging technologies in the market that are offering tough competition to packaging suction cups, which in turn is expected to be a big challenge in the packaging suction cups industry. Adhesive, mechanical, and electromagnetic gripping technology is likely to lead the market in the coming years.

Report Scope

Segmentation Analysis

The global packaging suction cups market can be segmented into types, applications, end-users, materials, and regions.

On the basis of types, the market can be segmented into heavy-duty suction cups, multifunction suction cups, custom suction cups, and standard suction cups. The standard suction cups segment accounts for the largest share of the packaging suction cups industry during the forecast period. Standard suction cups have a wide range of applications in different end-user sectors like logistics, electronics, pharmaceuticals, food, beverage, and consumer goods.

Various applications of standard suction cups include filling, labeling, cartooning, etc. These cups are priced relatively lower than specialized and high-performing cups. These kinds of cups easily integrate with automated systems like pick-and-place machines and robotic arms, which further attract end users.

On the basis of applications, the market can be segmented into pharmaceutical packaging, industrial packaging, consumer goods packaging, food packaging, and others. Food packaging is the fastest-growing segment in the global packaging suction cups market during the forecast period. The growing demand for packaged foods is one of the major factors driving the growth of the segment. People shop for frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, and convenience food because of their work schedules and lifestyle shifts.

Also, strict food regulations are likely to contribute immensely to the growth of the segment. For instance, manufacturers can only use suction cups made from FDA-approved materials because of safety concerns. The rising trend of using online grocery deliveries is also likely to revolutionize the market by bolstering demand for automated food packaging.

On the basis of end-users, the market can be segmented into personal care, food, beverage, electronics, and automotive. The automotive segment is expected to dominate the packaging suction cups industry during the forecast period.

The rising adoption of advanced automation in different end-user sectors, particularly in automotive manufacturing, is one of the major factors driving the growth of the segment. The rising trend of electric vehicles is also expected to be a crucial factor for the high growth rate of the segment.

Suction cups play an important role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, particularly in battery packaging and material handling. Automotive manufacturers pose a high demand for precision suction cups for high efficiency and accuracy.

Moreover, the ongoing advancements in material technology are also anticipated to revolutionize the market. The use of high-performing materials like nitrile, rubber, silicone, and polyurethane is expected to foster growth in the segment. These help in providing heat resistance and durability in vehicles. The integration of IoT-based suction cups for real-time monitoring is also likely to contribute to the growth of the segment.

On the basis of materials, the market can be segmented into polyurethanes, silicone, rubber, and plastic. The silicone segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Silicone suction cups offer superior temperature and resistance, which is a major reason for their wide applications in pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, packaging, and automotive industries. The rising demand in the food and beverage sector for food-grade silicone for hygienic purposes is also fostering growth in the segment.

Silicone suction cups are easy to clean and non-toxic, thereby making them ideal for use in the medical sector. The food and beverage sector uses silicone-based suction cups because they are ideal for use in bakery items, frozen fruits, and fresh produce. Its high usage of robots and automation is another major factor likely to foster growth in the segment in the coming years.

Regional Analysis

• North America to dominate the global market.

North America is likely to account for the largest share of the global packaging suction cups market during the forecast period. The growing focus of people in the region on including automation in different end-user sectors like automotive, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage is one of the major factors driving the growth of the market in North America.

Moreover, the emergence of robotic systems in different sectors to improve precision and efficiency is further propelling the growth of the regional market.

However, the presence of giant companies in North America is another crucial factor likely to foster growth opportunities in the region. The ongoing collaboration between the end-users and manufacturers is also likely to revolutionize the market with the innovation of customized solutions.

Asia Pacific is another major region likely to witness significant growth in the coming years. China is leading the market because of the increasing automation in the region. However, the integration of automation in manufacturing processes has significantly eased the process of material handling.

However, India is also expected to contribute immensely towards the growth of the market in APAC because of the increasing urbanization and industrial activities in the region.

The fast expansion of the food and beverage sector all across APAC is further escalating the demand for packaging section cups in the market. The growth of the e-commerce and retail sector in APAC is also likely to positively influence the growth of the regional market.

Competitive Analysis

The key players in the global packaging suction cups market include:

• William B. Rudow Inc.
• Vi-Cas Manufacturing Company
• VacMotion Inc.
• Piab AB
• J. Schmalz GmbH
• Coval Inc.
• ANVER Corporation
• All-Vac Industries Inc.
• Adams Manufacturing Corporation

For instance, PIAB said it would develop piGRIP suction cups in 2020. These cups are widely available in different diameters to serve diverse picking applications.

The global packaging suction cups market is segmented as follows:

By Types Segment Analysis

• Heavy-Duty Suction Cups
• Multifunction Suction Cups
• Custom Suction Cups
• Standard Suction Cups

By Applications Segment Analysis

• Pharmaceutical Packaging
• Industrial Packaging
• Consumer Goods Packaging
• Food Packaging
• Others

By End-Users Segment Analysis

•  Personal Care
• Food
• Beverage
• Electronics
• Automotive

By Materials Segment Analysis

• Polyurethanes
• Silicone
• Rubber
• Plastic

By Regional Segment Analysis

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America