Air Cushion Packaging Global Market Report 2026

Air cushion packaging is a protective method that employs inflated plastic pouches or cushions to secure and safeguard items during shipment, offering cushioning and shock absorption to mitigate potential damage. This lightweight and flexible packaging solution is particularly suitable for fragile or valuable goods.

The primary types of air cushion packaging include void filling, block and bracing, wrapping, and corner protection. Void filling involves using air cushions to fill empty spaces within packages, preventing items from shifting during transport. Air cushion packaging comes in various forms such as air tubes, air bubbles, air pillows, and air bags, and is available in colors such as green, white, and blue. It finds applications across diverse sectors including electronics, consumer goods, cosmetics and personal care, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, among others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the air cushion packaging market by increasing costs of imported plastic resins, inflation machinery, sealing equipment, and electronic control components. Packaging manufacturers in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on export-oriented packaging production. These tariffs are raising packaging costs for e-commerce and logistics operators. However, they are also encouraging regional resin sourcing, localized equipment manufacturing, and innovation in recyclable and biodegradable air cushion packaging solutions.

The air cushion packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides air cushion packaging market statistics, including air cushion packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a air cushion packaging market share, detailed air cushion packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the air cushion packaging industry. This air cushion packaging market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The air cushion packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.12 billion in 2025 to $4.45 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of e-commerce shipping volumes, increasing need for fragile goods protection, expansion of distribution and fulfillment centers, rising adoption of flexible packaging formats, improved availability of inflatable packaging machinery.

The air cushion packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing focus on sustainable packaging materials, rising investments in automated packaging systems, expansion of cross-border e-commerce trade, growing demand for cost-efficient protective packaging, increasing regulatory focus on plastic waste reduction. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of lightweight protective packaging solutions, rising demand for on-demand inflatable packaging systems, growing use of recyclable air cushion materials, expansion of automated packaging lines, enhanced focus on damage reduction during transit.

The rapid growth of e-commerce is anticipated to drive the expansion of the air cushion packaging industry in the coming years. E-commerce involves the buying and selling of products and services online, covering a broad spectrum of transactions between businesses and consumers. This growth in e-commerce is fueled by factors such as greater internet accessibility, rising consumer preference for online shopping, and improvements in digital payment technologies. Air cushion packaging used in e-commerce ensures efficient protection of products during shipping while keeping shipping weight low and reducing material waste. For example, in February 2024, according to the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, a US government agency, e-commerce sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 7.5% compared to the same quarter in 2022. Hence, the rapid growth of e-commerce is contributing to the expansion of the air cushion packaging industry.

Major companies in the air cushion packaging industry are emphasizing the creation of innovative solutions, such as recyclable paper-based air pillows, to address the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options. Recyclable paper-based air pillows are protective packaging cushions mainly made from paper with a water-soluble inner coating. They are designed to provide cushioning and volume comparable to traditional plastic air pillows while being fully recyclable with paper and cardboard, thereby reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable packaging practices. For example, in February 2025, Storopack, a Germany-based protective packaging expert, introduced AIRfiber, an innovative paper-based air pillow. AIRfiber provides strong, high-volume cushioning using minimal material, ensuring safe shipping and handling of products. The cushions are compatible with existing air pillow machines, suitable for void filling, blocking, and bracing, and deliver customers a sustainable unboxing experience.

In March 2024, Macfarlane Group PLC acquired Allpack Packaging Supplies Limited for £3.25 million ($4.1 million), enhancing its market presence in East Anglia. This acquisition allows Macfarlane to expand its offerings of protective packaging products and services, benefiting customers previously served by Allpack.

Major companies operating in the air cushion packaging market are Amcor plc, Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, Associated Packaging, Veritiv Corporation, Sealed Air Corp., Intertape Polymer Group Inc., Pregis LLC, Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH, Shorr Packaging, Polyair, Atlantic Tape Packaging, iVEX Protective Packaging, Polycell International, FP International, 3G Packaging Corp., Airfil Protective Packaging Ltd., AirWave Packaging LLC, Jaineeket Enterprises, Springpack, Salazar Packaging, Macfarlane Group UK Ltd, DynaCorp, COMPAK

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the air cushion packaging market in 2025. The regions covered in the air cushion packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the air cushion packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The air cushion packaging market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as customization of packaging solutions, installation and maintenance of air cushion machinery, and consulting on optimal packaging practices to ensure product safety and efficiency during transit. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The air cushion packaging market also includes sales of tabletop air cushion machines, industrial air cushion machines, and air cushion machine films. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Air Cushion Packaging Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses air cushion packaging market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for air cushion packaging ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The air cushion packaging market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Void Filling; Block And Bracing; Wrapping; Corner Protection
• 2) By Form: Air Tubes; Air Bubble; Air Pillows; Air Bags
• 3) By Color: Green; White; Blue
• 4) By Application: Electronics; Consumer Goods; Cosmetic And Personal Care; Foods And Beverages; Pharmaceuticals; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Void Filling: Air Pillow Bags; Air-Filled Cushions; Inflatable Pouches
• 2) By Block And Bracing: Inflatable Air Blocks; Air-Filled Tubes; Cushioning Pillows for Bracing
• 3) By Wrapping: Air Bubble Wraps; Inflatable Wrap Films; Air-Filled Stretch Films
• 4) By Corner Protection: Inflatable Corner Protectors; Air-Cushioned Corner Guards; Protective Air-Filled Corner Blocks
• Companies Mentioned: Amcor plc; Smurfit Kappa Group Plc; Associated Packaging; Veritiv Corporation; Sealed Air Corp.; Intertape Polymer Group Inc.; Pregis LLC; Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH; Shorr Packaging; Polyair; Atlantic Tape Packaging; iVEX Protective Packaging; Polycell International; FP International; 3G Packaging Corp.; Airfil Protective Packaging Ltd.; AirWave Packaging LLC; Jaineeket Enterprises; Springpack; Salazar Packaging; Macfarlane Group UK Ltd; DynaCorp; COMPAK
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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